BLAST FREEZERS
CRYOMETRIX PF-90
BLAST/THAW FREEZER
CRYOMETRIX B-90
BLAST/THAW FREEZER
CRYOMETRIX MB-90
BLAST/THAW FREEZER
Cryometrix Blast Freezers
Cryometrix offers a complete portfolio of LN2 blast freezers and blast plate freezers engineered for ultra-fast freezing, precise temperature control, and scalable performance in life science, biopharmaceutical, and research environments.
Unlike traditional compressor-based systems, Cryometrix freezers use liquid nitrogen (LN2)- cooled air in a contained system, enabling faster pull-down speeds, improved temperature uniformity, and reduced maintenance. This approach supports high-throughput workflows while minimizing downtime and operational complexity.
From compact lab-scale units to production-scale systems and hybrid technologies, Cryometrix provides solutions optimized for blast freezing, thawing, and advanced plate freezing applications.
Cryometrix B-90 Blast/Thaw Freezer
The Cryometrix B-90 blast freezer is a high-capacity, production-scale system designed for high-throughput blast freezing and thawing in demanding environments such as biopharmaceutical manufacturing, blood banks, and large research facilities.
Using LN2-based cooling, the B-90 achieves rapid temperature pull-down from ambient to -90°C in about 10 minutes and any temperature in between. Fast temperature setpoint recovery is also possible after door openings to maintain consistent cycle performance.
Features and benefits:
- Ultra-fast blast freezing for increased throughput and reduced bottlenecks
- Large capacity (~700 L / 26 cu ft) for bulk processing
- Dual freeze and thaw capability from +40°C to -90°C
- ±3°C temperature uniformity across the payload area
- Compressor-free LN2 design for lower maintenance and higher reliability
- Minimal heat output to reduce HVAC load and energy costs
- Integrated data logging and optional 21 CFR Part 11 compliance
The B-90 is ideal for operations requiring consistent, repeatable freezing at scale, especially in blood banking, plasma processing, and biologics manufacturing. Its integrated data logging, user controls, and optional regulatory compliance features make it suitable for GMP and FDA- regulated environments.
Cryometrix MB-90 Blast/Thaw Freezer
The Cryometrix MB-90 blast freezer is a compact, high-performance solution designed for laboratories, process development, and smaller-scale bioprocessing environments.
Despite its size, the MB-90 delivers industry-leading performance, achieving ambient-to -90°C in as little as 3 minutes. This rapid freezing capability helps reduce ice crystal formation and preserve sensitive materials such as cell therapies, viral vectors, and biologics.
Features and benefits:
- 3-minute ultra-fast pull-down and approximately 1-minute recovery
- Compact footprint (under 8 square feet) for space-constrained labs
- Up to 90% lower energy consumption compared with mechanical freezers
- Flexible temperature range from +40°C to -90°C
- Low-maintenance LN2 cooling system with no compressors
The MB-90 is well suited for R&D, clinical workflows, and scale-down modeling. It shares core technology with the B-90, allowing processes developed at lab scale to transfer efficiently into production environments.
NEW!!
Cryometrix PF-90 Blast Plate Freezer
The Cryometrix PF-90 blast plate freezer combines LN2 blast freezing and plate freezing in a single system, delivering both speed and precision for applications where uniform freezing and product consistency are critical.
Facilities have traditionally needed separate systems for blast freezing and plate freezing. The PF-90 removes that limitation by integrating both methods into one platform, allowing operators to choose the most effective approach for each process.
Features and benefits:
- Dual freezing capability with both air blast and conductive plate freezing
- LN2-powered cooling for rapid pull-down and consistent ultra-low temperatures
- No refrigerant circulation within plates, reducing complexity and maintenance
- Improved uniformity for bagged products through direct contact heat transfer
- Reduced ice crystal formation to help maintain product integrity
- Flexible operation for mixed loads and standardized bag formats
Plate freezing uses direct contact between cold plates and the product to deliver controlled, consistent heat removal. This method is especially effective for biologics and blood products stored in bags, where uniform freezing profiles are important for maintaining quality and reproducibility.
Blast freezing remains essential for workflows that involve mixed loads, irregular containers, or high-speed processing. By combining both approaches, the PF-90 allows facilities to adapt to a wider range of applications without compromising performance.
The PF-90 is designed for:
Biopharmaceutical manufacturing and biologics processing
Blood banking and
plasma freezing
Cell and gene therapy
applications
Research and clinical laboratories requiring repeatable freezing
It is optimized for bagged materials commonly used in pharmaceutical workflows and can support multiple containers per cycle, with customization available for different formats.
By integrating both freezing methods into one system, the PF-90 helps reduce equipment redundancy, simplify workflows, and improve overall efficiency while maintaining strict control over freezing conditions.
Choosing the Right Cryometrix Freezer
Cryometrix systems are designed to support different operational needs:
B-90
for high-capacity, production-scale blast freezing
MB-90
for compact, fast-cycle lab
and development work
PF-90
for combined blast and plate freezing where precision and flexibility are required
Together, these solutions help optimize freezing performance, improve product quality, and support efficient workflows across research, clinical, and manufacturing environments.
Understanding Blast Freezing
Blast freezing is a rapid-freezing method that uses very cold, high-velocity airflow to remove heat quickly, uniformly, and consistently from products. Compared with still-air cooling or standard cold storage, blast freezing shortens freeze times, improves repeatability, and helps reduce workflow bottlenecks. It is especially valuable in life science, bioprocess, and pharmaceutical drug production environments where freezing is a critical step before storage, shipment, or downstream manufacturing.
Cryometrix provides liquid nitrogen (LN2) blast freezers that use LN2-cooled air in a contained system designed to avoid LN2 contact with the product or operator. This approach supports rapid cooling, strong temperature uniformity, and efficient operation in demanding environments.
How Blast Freezing Works
Blast freezing increases heat transfer using two key principles:
- Very low-temperature air to create a strong temperature difference between the product and its environment
- High airflow to increase convective heat transfer and remove heat more efficiently
Cold air circulates at high velocity around the payload, stripping away the warm boundary layer that naturally forms around containers during freezing. This allows products to reach target temperatures faster and more uniformly than with still-air methods.
Blast freezing is especially valuable in operations with variable loads, different container formats, and frequent door openings, where process consistency and throughput are priorities.
Why Blast Freezing Is Used in Life Science Workflows
Faster Cycle Times
Slow freezing can create delays throughout a facility. Blast freezing helps reduce time-to-freeze, increase throughput, and minimize time spent in transitional temperature ranges.
Better Consistency Across Loads
Controlled airflow and stable chamber conditions help reduce variability between runs, supporting repeatable processes and easier SOP adherence.
Support for Common Container Formats
Blast freezing is commonly used for bags, bottles, and mixed container types because airflow-based systems can accommodate a wide range of payloads.
Reduced Risk of Process Bottlenecks
Freezing is often a hidden production constraint. Faster freezing helps keep upstream and downstream operations moving more efficiently.
Rapid Freezing in Shipping Logistics
Rapid thermal pull-down helps preserve product integrity and validated temperature conditions during storage and transport, which is especially important for pharmaceuticals and biologics.
Mechanical vs. Liquid Nitrogen Blast Freezing
Mechanical blast freezers rely on compressor-based refrigeration systems. While widely used, they can experience slower pull-down and recovery times, especially during heavy use, frequent door openings, or ultra-low temperature operation.
LN2 blast freezing uses liquid nitrogen as the cooling source, enabling faster heat removal and more stable ultra-low temperature performance.
Advantages Of LN2 Blast Freezing
- Faster Pull-Down to Ultra-Low Targets
LN2-based cooling can reach ultra-low temperatures much faster than typical mechanical refrigeration. Faster pull-down can reduce overall cycle time, increase daily throughput, and help keep time-sensitive materials moving through a process without long waits. - Faster Recovery and Steadier Performance
In busy environments, door openings and frequent loading can disrupt cycles. LN2 cooling supports faster recovery, helping maintain stable performance under continuous demand. - Reduced Dependence on Compressors and Refrigerants
LN2 blast freezing eliminates reliance on compressor-driven refrigeration components, reducing maintenance complexity and simplifying long-term service planning. - Contained LN2 Use for Safer Operation
Contained LN2 designs use liquid nitrogen as a cooling source while aiming to avoid LN2 contact with the product and operator. This helps deliver cryogenic performance while supporting safer operation. - Strong Performance in Compact Footprints
LN2 approaches can deliver high freezing intensity and ultra-low temperature performance even in compact footprints, making them well suited for space-constrained environments.
Common Blast Freezing Applications
Blast freezing is used across a wide range of workflows where temperature control, throughput, and consistency matter.
Blood and Plasma Processing
Freezing buffers, bulk solutions, and intermediates can help align process steps and improve scheduling flexibility.
Bioprocess Intermediates
Freezing buffers, bulk solutions, and intermediates can help align process steps and improve scheduling flexibility.
Biologics Manufacturing
Faster freezing supports predictable batch flow and reduces turnaround time between operations.
Cell and Gene Therapy
Freezing buffers, bulk solutions, and intermediates can help align process steps and improve scheduling flexibility.
Research and Process Development
Rapid freezing helps accelerate experimentation and process iteration, especially when multiple conditions are tested in a single day.
Best Practices for More Consistent Blast Freezing
Optimize Loading
Patterns
Containers should be arranged to allow consistent airflow around each unit without blocking circulation pathways.
Standardize the
Payload
Using consistent container types, fill volumes, and starting temperatures helps improve repeatability.
Minimize Door-Open
Time
Reducing unnecessary door openings helps maintain chamber stability and shorten recovery time.
Blast Freezing FAQs
What does blast freezing mean?
Blast freezing is rapid freezing that uses very cold air and high airflow to remove heat quickly and reduce freezing time compared with still-air cooling.
Is LN2 blast freezing the same as spraying liquid nitrogen onto the product?
Not necessarily. Some systems introduce LN2 directly into the freezing space, while contained LN2 approaches are designed to use LN2 as the cooling source while avoiding LN2 contact with
the product.
Can blast freezing support thawing too?
Yes. Our systems are designed as blast/thaw platforms so freezing and thawing can be
performed in the same chamber, reducing handling steps and equipment sprawl.
What should teams evaluate when selecting a blast freezing solution?
Beyond freeze time, teams often evaluate temperature performance across the load, recovery after door openings, workflow throughput, container compatibility, data logging capabilities, and how the freezer integrates into upstream and downstream processes.