The site installation requirements of a lyophilizer mainly depend on its processing capacity, equipment configuration and system type. Large-scale industrial freeze dryers come with heavy vacuum chambers, refrigeration units, vacuum pumps and auxiliary pipelines, so the floor load-bearing capacity, ceiling height, drainage, ventilation and water supply conditions must be confirmed against the specific model before layout design. Small laboratory or household lyophilizers have relatively loose site constraints.
For Kemolo industrial freeze dryers:
- 500 kg batch capacity model: the recommended minimum ceiling height is 3.5 m. This space reserves sufficient clearance for equipment hoisting, internal chamber maintenance, pipeline routing and overhead utility connections.
- 750 kg batch capacity model: a minimum ceiling height of 4 m is required, accommodating taller condenser assemblies and overhead servicing space.
- 1,000 kg batch capacity and larger models: the minimum ceiling height needs to reach 4.5 m, leaving headroom for component replacement and piping installation.
As for floor load, large lyophilizers have concentrated weight on supporting feet. The factory floor should be reinforced concrete, and the ground bearing capacity must meet the static and dynamic load of the whole machine. Local floor reinforcement is usually needed for heavy-duty models to avoid ground deformation or cracking during long-term operation.
Drainage requirements vary by cooling mode and cleaning design. Water-cooled industrial lyophilizers need dedicated drain outlets for cooling water circulation, wastewater from CIP (clean-in-place) and condensate discharge. Drains should have proper slopes to prevent liquid backflow. Air-cooled units generate much less wastewater and only need simple floor drainage for occasional cleaning.
For small-capacity and household freeze dryers, there are no strict structural requirements on floor load and ceiling height. If adopting the air-cooled configuration, the equipment only needs to be placed in a well-ventilated, shaded indoor area, away from direct sunlight and heat sources to guarantee stable refrigeration performance. If it is water-cooled, an external cooling tower is necessary. The cooling tower shall be installed in a shaded, well-ventilated outdoor zone, with enough space for heat dissipation and regular maintenance.
Additionally, stable power supply space and access routes for equipment delivery should be considered in advance.
