What is the effective shelf area of the SJ-Command F25M?

The effective product shelf area is approximately 24.48 m2. It is calculated from two shelf stacks, each with 17 product shelves measuring 600 x 1,200 mm. The two top compensation shelves are excluded.

What is the F25M condenser ice capacity?

The reference condenser ice capacity is up to 200 kg per batch. Final usable capacity and cycle time depend on the formulation, initial water load, fill thickness, vapor flow and condenser margin.

Is the SJ-Command F25M suitable for pharmaceutical and API production?

It is configured for pharmaceutical and API freeze-drying projects, with cleanable stainless-steel chamber surfaces, controlled shelf temperature, vacuum monitoring and batch-data functions. The final GMP and validation scope must be defined in the user requirement specification.

Does the F25M include SCADA and 21 CFR Part 11 functions?

The standard configuration includes Siemens PLC control with manual and automatic modes, recipes, records and trends. Computer-based SCADA, electronic records and project-specific data-integrity functions should be confirmed as options against the URS.

How many vials can the F25M load?

Vial quantity must be calculated from the vial and stopper drawings, loading pitch, shelf spacing and loading method. SJ Scientific confirms vial count during project engineering rather than publishing an unsupported universal value.

Can the shelf spacing be changed?

The reference shelf spacing is 70 mm and may be configured up to 100 mm on request. Changing spacing can affect shelf count and effective loading area, so it must be confirmed before final design.

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SJ-Command F25M 25 m2 Pharmaceutical Freeze Dryer

Name: SJ-Command F25M Pharmaceutical Freeze Dryer
Brand: SJ Scientific

Inquiry

GMP Freeze Dryer

24.48 m2 pharmaceutical freeze dryer with two shelf stacks, 200 kg/batch condenser ice capacity, -55 to +70 °C shelf-fluid range, Siemens PLC, and split equipment arrangement.

25 m2 pharmaceutical freeze dryer for production scale-up

The SJ-Command F25M pharmaceutical freeze dryer provides approximately 24.48 m2 of effective product shelf area in a split equipment arrangement. It is positioned between smaller pilot lyophilizers and larger commercial systems for pharmaceutical, peptide, protein and API projects that need more batch area without moving immediately to a very large chamber.

Two shelf stacks are installed side by side. Each stack contains 17 product shelves plus one top compensation shelf. The compensation shelves improve thermal conditions but are not counted in the stated product area.

Key process configuration

Application	Pharmaceutical and API production freeze drying
Effective shelf area	Approx. 24.48 m2 (nominally 25 m2)
Shelf layout	2 stacks; 17 product shelves + 1 compensation shelf per stack
Individual shelf size	600 x 1,200 mm
Shelf spacing	70 mm; configurable up to 100 mm on request
Recommended raw-material load	Up to 200 kg/batch, subject to product and fill thickness
Equipment arrangement	Split type

Drying chamber and shelf performance

The chamber and shelf assembly use AISI 304L stainless steel, with an internal surface finish of Ra ≤ 0.4 µm. The chamber is designed for 0.15 MPa and 128 °C. Shelf flatness is specified at 0.5 mm/m, and shelf temperature uniformity is ±1 °C after stabilization under no-load conditions.

Shelf-fluid inlet range: -55 to +70 °C.
Heating rate: 1 °C/min through PID-regulated electric heating.
Temperature sensors: four Class A Pt100 product sensors and two heat-transfer-fluid sensors.
Door: AISI 304 stainless steel with silicone-rubber gasket and safety-handle locking.

Ice condenser sized for the stated water load

The integrated ice-condenser section uses an AISI 304L stainless-steel body and coil. Its reference ice capacity is up to 200 kg per batch, with a minimum coil temperature of ≤ -70 °C. Water-flood defrost, a sight glass and stainless-steel connection piping are included in the stated configuration.

Condenser capacity is not a universal fresh-product capacity. The engineering review must consider formulation, fill depth, water load, vapor flow, cycle target and an appropriate operating margin.

Refrigeration and vacuum system

Refrigeration	Two Frascold 30 HP two-stage compressors; R507A; water cooled
Shelf cooling, no load	+20 to -30 °C in ≤ 60 min
Condenser cooling, no load	+20 to -30 °C in ≤ 30 min
Vacuum pumps	2 x DRV90; optional 100 L/s Roots booster
Ultimate vacuum	≤ 1 Pa
Evacuation time	Atmospheric pressure to 20 Pa in ≤ 30 min
Leak rate	≤ 5 x 10^-3 Pa·m3/s

Cooling and evacuation figures are stated for no-load conditions. Loaded-cycle performance must be confirmed using the intended product, fill pattern and site utilities.

Siemens PLC control and batch records

The F25M supports selectable manual and automatic operation through a Siemens PLC and touchscreen HMI. Standard functions include recipe setup, process-stage display, valve and component status, temperature and vacuum monitoring, alarms, trends and stored records. An optional computer can extend recipe management, batch-number retrieval and printable records.

For regulated projects, audit trail, user access, electronic signatures, backup, cybersecurity and 21 CFR Part 11 expectations should be written into the URS and confirmed in the final automation scope. They are not assumed solely from the presence of a PLC.

Utilities, installation and documentation

Connected electrical load	55 kW
Power supply	380-440 V AC, 50 Hz, 3-phase, 5-wire
Cooling method	Water cooled
Approximate dimensions	6,500 x 2,300 x 2,500 mm
Approximate net weight	8,000 kg

The documentation package includes the SAT report, operation and maintenance manuals, electrical drawings, main-component manuals, and calibration or verification reports. FAT, IQ/OQ, validation documents and project-specific traceability should be agreed during the technical review.

Download the F25M English technical configuration (PDF)

Project engineering before final selection

Vial count is intentionally not presented as a single number. Final loading depends on vial diameter, stopper height, spacing, shelf clearance and the selected loading method. For bulk API or tray applications, fill depth and water load are equally important.

Compare the broader Command GMP freeze dryer series, review the pharmaceutical freeze dryer application guide, or see the peptide lyophilizer solution. Validation planning is covered in the GMP freeze dryer validation checklist.

Engineering note: approximate values and component brands are subject to final project confirmation. Equivalent components may be selected by mutual agreement.