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Manual Mode VirTis Wizard 2.0

6 Revision 001, 03/09

Manual Mode Operation

Before operating your system in Manual Mode, verify that the manual control setpoints

are correct in the Manual Mode Settings menu. You can modify these setpoints at any

time during the freeze-dry process. Changes are applied when you return to the

Synoptic screen.

To begin manual operation of your freeze dryer:

1. Insert product probes, if desired, and load the prepared product into the

chamber.

2. Verify that the chamber door(s) and any valves are closed.

3. Press Vacuum and allow vacuum pressure to reach approximately 500 Torr,

500 mbar or 50 kPa. Press Vacuum again to disable the vacuum pump.

Verify that the system is tightly sealed.

4. Press Freeze and allow the product to reach the desired temperature. If you

are not using product probes, allow the shelf temperature to reach and hold at

the Manual Freeze setpoint until product is uniformly frozen.

5. Press Condenser and allow the temperature to reach approximately -40 °C

or 20 °C below the shelf/product average temperature, whichever is colder.

6. Press Vacuum and allow vacuum pressure to reach an acceptable value

(generally less than 500 mTorr, 500 μbar or 50 Pa).

7. Press Shelf Ctrl to begin heating to the Manual Heat setpoint. Adjust the

setpoint as desired to optimize primary drying.

Note: Use the Shelf Ctrl button together with the Condenser button to control the

shelf temperature at the setpoint.

8. If vacuum control is desired, press the Vacuum Ctrl button. Adjust the

vacuum control setpoint as needed to optimize primary drying.

9. To perform manual secondary drying, adjust the shelf/product temperature

and vacuum control level as desired.

10. When the process is complete, turn off all Manual Mode functions in reverse

order.

11. Press Vac Release to break vacuum. If stoppering your product, you may

press Vac Release again while the system is equalizing to close the valve at

the desired pressure. After stoppering your product, select Vac Release and

allow the system to reach atmospheric pressure.

Note: There is no manual backfill setpoint. You must use the Vac Release button.

12. Remove the product.

13. Press Defrost to defrost the condenser. When defrosting is complete, remove

all condensate. Rinse and dry chamber and condenser surfaces.

SP VirTis Wizard 2.0 User Manual

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