FAQ
How do Cryometrix freezers work?
Cryometrix freezers use advanced liquid nitrogen (LN2) cooling technology, circulating LN2 within the walls of the freezer. This cryogenic method avoids direct exposure of LN2 to the samples and eliminates the need for a compressor, which is common in traditional refrigeration systems. The system achieves extremely low temperatures by evaporating LN2, which cools the inner walls of the freezer chamber. This design provides efficient cooling with rapid temperature drops, uniform cooling, and reduced energy consumption. This LN2 technology also reduces maintenance costs and enables Cryometrix freezers to operate smoothly, making them a convenient choice for laboratories and pharmaceutical applications.
What product containers types can I use in the freezers?
Cryometrix freezers are compatible with a wide range of container types, including bioprocessing fluid storage bags, polycarbonate bottles, and customized storage setups provided by customers. The B-90, for example, supports bioprocessing bags and bottles with various sizes, from small vials to large bags and bottles for larger sample volumes. Containers should fit within the payload area, and the freezers’ flexible shelving allows for tailored configurations to suit diverse research and production needs.
Which freezer model is best for my needs?
- For rapid freezing needs, the B-90 or MB-90 are the top choices due to their ability to achieve -90°C within minutes, making them ideal for fast, high-throughput applications.
- For long-term storage, the T-90, MC-135, and T-160 freezers offer stable, ultra-low temperatures, with temperatures reaching as low as -90°C, -140°C, and -160°C respectively. Storage temperature and volume dictate the need for a chest style or upright unit.
- For extraction and ethanol cooling processes, the L-80 Max and Lite models are recommended, as they can chill ethanol rapidly and are tailored to laboratory setups focusing on cannabinoid extraction or similar applications.
- Not seeing your application idea? Visit the contact us page to work with a representative on your unique application.
How quickly can I freeze items?
The freezing speed of Cryometrix models is highly efficient:
- B-90: Reaches -90°C in about 10 minutes, allowing for very quick freeze cycles that preserve sample integrity and reduce processing time.
- MB-90: Achieves -90°C in as little as 3 minutes, especially suited for applications that require rapid freezing of smaller sample volumes.
- T-160: Capable of achieving temperatures as low as -160°C, though it takes approximately 3 hours for full ramp-down to this temperature, accommodating materials that require deep freezing for long-term storage.
Do Cryometrix models use refrigerants?
No, Cryometrix freezers do not use refrigerants like CFCs or other chemical-based cooling agents. Instead, they rely on liquid nitrogen, which is an eco-friendly, inert gas with a boiling point of -196°C. By using LN2, Cryometrix freezers avoid the high energy costs associated with traditional compressor-based systems, as well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions from refrigerants.
What’s the liquid nitrogen consumption rate?
LN2 consumption varies depending on the freezer model and use case:
- B-90: Uses approximately 7 gallons of LN2 per hour at setpoint temperature.
- The MB-90: Uses approximately 0.3 gallons of LN2 per hour while at setpoint temperature.
- T-90: Typically consumes 1.0 gallons of LN2 per hour while maintaining -80°C. Cryometrix offers detailed assessments of LN2 usage based on experimental runs, allowing users to estimate their operational costs and optimize usage.
Are shelves included with the freezer?
Yes, Cryometrix freezers come with shelves that are adjustable to accommodate a variety of containers. Additional shelving kits are available for purchase.
Custom shelving/storage is available at an additional fee. Visit the contact us page to work with a representative on your shelving needs.
Is the shelving adjustable or removable?
Yes, shelves are designed to be adjustable and removable to fit different types of storage containers and products. This flexibility allows users to reconfigure the interior setup as needed, ensuring compatibility with diverse product shapes and sizes. For example, in the B-90, shelves can be adjusted every 0.5 inches, providing ample customization.
What pressure is the liquid nitrogen supply rated for?
The LN2 supply pressure requirements vary but typically range from 30 to 150 psi, depending on the model. For example, the L-80 Lite and Max require a supply pressure of 125-150 psi, while models like the MB-90 operate at 30-100 psi. Each model’s specific requirements are outlined in its technical specifications.
What types of products can I freeze?
Cryometrix freezers are suitable for freezing a wide range of products, including biological samples, drug substances, blood, plasma, stem cells, Car-T cells, and solvents like ethanol. The models are tailored for industries like biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, blood donations centers, and medical research, offering compatibility with different container types and sizes, making them versatile for various applications.
Have an industry outside of these? Visit the contact us page to work with a representative on your unique application.
Is this a controlled-rate freezer?
Yes, Cryometrix freezers are designed for precise temperature control, allowing for controlled-rate freezing essential in sensitive applications like biological sample preservation. Many models support programmable temperature profiles to maintain exacting standards in freezing rates and uniform temperature across samples.
How is the temperature inside the freezer monitored?
Cryometrix freezers are equipped with integrated data logging systems, with options for remote monitoring through software. Users can monitor real-time temperatures and access recorded data through touchscreen interfaces or USB exports, ensuring constant oversight and compliance with quality standards.
Can I monitor the freezer remotely?
Yes, most Cryometrix models support remote monitoring capabilities when purchased with the 21 CFR Part 11 compliance package.
All freezers offer data logging to allow users to view temperature and system status in real time, accessible via the onboard HMI screen or via CSV export to USB, which can be transferred to a computer for analysis and record keeping.
Can I track the temperature of my product or items in the freezer?
Cryometrix freezers feature real-time temperature tracking with onboard data logging. This allows users to monitor and verify the temperature stability of individual products or samples, ensuring quality and compliance.
Remote monitoring capabilities available with the 21 CFR Part 11 compliance package available for purchase.
How uniform is the temperature within the freezer?
Cryometrix freezers offer highly uniform temperatures, typically within ±3°C, ensuring that all samples within the freezer are evenly exposed to the required conditions, which is crucial for sensitive storage applications.
Do you offer customization options for the freezers?
Yes, Cryometrix provides customization options based on customer requests or needs. For questions on your specific application, Visit the contact us page to work with a representative.
Can I test a Cryometrix freezer or chiller before purchasing?
Cryometrix offers test runs and experimental setups to allow prospective customers to evaluate freezer performance. These trials help users determine optimal freezing profiles, container compatibility, and LN2 consumption for their specific applications.
Do you offer leasing options?
Cryometrix does not offers leasing options at this time; customers are encouraged to contact us.
Are financing options available?
Financing options are available through Cryometrix. Potential buyers should reach out to our team for information on financing options suited to their budget and project timelines.
What is the difference between a B-90, T-90, T-160 freezer?
- B-90: The B-90 is a high-performance blast freezer capable of reaching -90°C in around 10 minutes, making it ideal for applications that require rapid freeze/thaw cycles. Its design suits pharmaceutical production and lab settings that need quick temperature changes and controlled freezing profiles.
- T-90: The T-90 is an upright storage freezer that focuses on long-term sample preservation. It maintains stable temperatures down to -90°C, providing consistent performance for biorepositories and lab storage of sensitive materials like biological samples and reagents.
- T-160: This ultra-low temperature freezer is capable of reaching -160°C, making it the best choice for biopharma and applications requiring exceptionally cold storage. The T-160 supports Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) applications.
What is the difference between an L-80 Max and L-80 Lite?
The L-80 Max and L-80 Lite both utilize LN2 technology for ethanol chilling, a common need in extraction and winterization processes. The L-80 Max model can handle up to 120 gallons of ethanol and reach -80°C in 50 minutes, catering to larger production environments that require high-volume chilling, while allowing the versatility to chill as little as 30 gals to -80°C in less than 15 minutes. The L-80 Lite, by contrast, is designed for smaller operations with a capacity of 30-40 gallons, achieving -80°C in just under 15 minutes. This model is compact and modular, making it suitable for setups with limited space while still providing powerful and fast chilling capabilities for smaller-scale applications.
What is the difference between an MB-90 and an MC-135?
MB-90: The MB-90 is a high-performance blast freezer, reaching temperatures as low as -90°C in approximately 3 minutes. This chest-style model is compact, making it ideal for smaller batch production or research and development applications that may later scale up to full production. Its efficient design uses significantly less liquid nitrogen (LN2), making it a cost-effective choice for those new to blast freezing.
MC-135: The MC-135 is also a compact, chest-style freezer but is designed for ultra-cold storage, capable of reaching temperatures as low as -140°C. This model is optimized for applications requiring consistent, low-temperature storage with excellent temperature uniformity and minimal LN2 consumption, making it an excellent choice for long-term storage of sensitive products.
Are Cryometrix products CE marked?
Yes, most Cryometrix models are CE compliant, indicating that they meet European standards for health, safety, and environmental protection. This compliance makes them suitable for use in various international settings.
Does the freezer comply with 21 CFR Part 11 standards?
Certain Cryometrix freezers, like the B-90, MB-90, MC-135, T-90, and T-160, offer optional 21 CFR Part 11 compliance packages. These packages include audit trails, secure data logging, and controlled access, which are necessary for regulatory compliance in pharmaceutical and medical applications.
Are the chillers C1D2 rated (Hazardous location rating)?
Yes, models like the L-80 chillers are C1D2 rated, making them suitable for environments with hazardous materials such as hydrocarbon solvents used in extraction processes. This rating ensures that they meet strict safety standards for use in such settings.
What are the shelf dimensions?
Shelf dimensions vary by model to support different sample types and lab environments. For instance, the T-90’s shelves measure approximately 34.5 inches wide by 28 inches deep, with adjustable configurations to hold racks, vials, or larger containers. Each model’s specific requirements are outlined in its technical specifications.
What are the payload dimensions?
Payload dimensions differ by model; the T-90, for example, has a payload area of 28 inches deep, 34 inches wide, and 60 inches high, accommodating a wide range of containers for ultra-low temperature storage. Each model’s specific requirements are outlined in its technical specifications.
How do the freezer doors lock?
For models such as the B-90, T-90, and T-160, the outer door is secured with pneumatic pistons and latches controlled via the user screen. These models also feature user-permission settings, ensuring that only authorized personnel can initiate door-opening events.
For models like the MB-90 and MC-135, lids are secured with manual mechanical latches. Physical locks can also be added to restrict access further, preventing unauthorized individuals from opening the lids.
Custom locking and access solutions are available to meet specific end-user requirements.
What is the BTU output per hour?
The BTU output per hour is specific to each freezer model and its operational conditions. Detailed BTU values are provided in the technical specifications or can be obtained through Cryometrix support.
What kind of documentation or support is provided with the freezer?
Cryometrix provides comprehensive documentation, including setup instructions, operational guidelines, and optional compliance documents like IQ/OQ/PQ validation are available for purchase. Experimental run reports are also available to help customers verify performance for specific applications prior, during or after the freezer purchase process.
Is the freezer suitable for long-term storage?
Yes, Cryometrix freezers like the T-90, MC-135, and T-160 are specifically engineered for stable, long-term storage of sensitive materials. They maintain uniform temperatures and have built-in redundancy features to ensure reliability, making them ideal for biopharmaceutical and research storage needs.