Please keep the following steps in mind:
- first close all valves( also the one at the pump)
- start up the pump and let it run for about 20 min to get the oil warm, then open the valve to the freeze dryer
- meanwhile you can start up the freeze dryer (make sure all vales, also the one for the liquid water "exhaust" at the front bottom) are closed.
- When the temperature has reached -100 C or less it is ready to hook up your samples.
NOTE 1:
it is in most cases not sufficient to only freeze your samples in the freezer. You need to cool it down with liquid nitrogen (additionally if you pre-freezed it).
NOTE 2:
surface area is everything. Sublimation can only happen at the surface. Do not put in a block of ice. It will melt. You need to create a large surface area.
This video can give you some tips and very useful general information:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcqC2KXZSwM
NOTE 3:
If you pump other things than water that easily condense in the pump oil you need to run the pump on gas ballast at least after you are done for 20 min. DO NOT run the pump on gas ballast continuously or forget to switch it back. It expells oil and we get the risk of the pump running dry = destruction of pump.
I will place a pump manual at the instrument.
If you all take a bit care of the equipment we can avoid long down times.
Thank you.
Andreas