SP Scientific VirTis 25L Genesis SQ EL-85 Pilot Freeze Dryer Lyophilizer System

The SP Scientific VirTis 25L Genesis SQ EL-85° is a pilot-scale shelf lyophilizer (freeze dryer) built for pharmaceutical, biotech, and research freeze-drying where reproducibility and clean scale-up matter. It combines a 316L stainless-steel product chamber and smooth-wall condenser with a broad shelf temperature range of −55 °C to +65 °C and a condenser that pulls down to −85 °C — the "EL-85" designation — so it handles everything from routine aqueous formulations to low-eutectic and solvent-containing products. A 25 L condenser (up to 12 L of ice per 24 h), fast pull-down (20 °C to −45 °C in ≤ 25 min), and low ultimate vacuum (≤ 15 mTorr) give it genuine pilot throughput, while inert-gas backfill and an easy-defrost condenser keep day-to-day cycling practical.

This is offered as a complete, turnkey system rather than a bare chamber. It ships with its Leybold TRIVAC D8B vacuum pump, an FTS Systems MaxiCool recirculating chiller (so the system runs without a facility chilled-water line), the removable 316L shelf set, and the control PC preloaded with VirTis Encore software (Proficy iFIX 5.5 HMI/SCADA) for recipe programming, cycle control, leak and function testing, and historical data export. Documented SP Scientific preventive-maintenance and calibration history is present on the unit.

System Components

• VirTis 25L Genesis SQ EL-85° Pilot Freeze Dryer — product chamber + integrated smooth-wall condenser (Part No. 100011477, S/N 321822)
• Leybold TRIVAC D8B two-stage rotary-vane vacuum pump (front-facing, ~8 m³/h, ultimate ≤ 1×10⁻⁴ mbar)
• FTS Systems / SP Scientific MaxiCool RC150 recirculating chiller / heat-rejection unit (S/N 322263-W)
• Removable 316L stainless-steel shelf assembly
• Control PC (tower, monitor, keyboard, mouse) with VirTis Encore software on Proficy iFIX 5.5

Condition Notes

• Condition: Used / Inspected — powers on.
• Functional Status: The system powers up and the control PC boots into the VirTis Encore interface (Proficy iFIX 5.5), which communicates with the dryer; the vacuum pump, condenser, and MaxiCool chiller are all present and connected. Shown transparently in the photos: a test cycle left several active alarms on the HMI — Primary/Secondary Pressure Rise Test Failed, Vacuum Safety, Heat Step Not Satisfied, and Freeze Time Exceeded.
• Cosmetic Status: Good used condition. Cabinets, chambers, and shelves are clean with routine wear; the acrylic chamber door and condenser sight window are intact.
• Elapsed-Time Meter: Hour meter reads 00786.4 — relatively low documented runtime.
• Service History: SP Scientific preventive-maintenance and calibration labels present (last performed 4-5-2022; calibration now past due).
• Asset Tag: LT978.

Technical Specifications

• Brand: SP Scientific (VirTis)
• Model: 25L Genesis SQ EL-85°
• Part / Serial No.: 100011477 / 321822
• Type: Pilot-scale shelf freeze dryer / lyophilizer
• Shelf Temperature Control Range: −55 °C to +65 °C
• Lowest Shelf Temperature: −67 °C (50 Hz) / −70 °C (60 Hz)
• Lowest Condenser Temperature: −82 °C (50 Hz) / −85 °C (60 Hz)
• Condenser Capacity: 25 L; up to 12 L ice per 24 h
• Condenser Pull-Down (20 °C → −45 °C): ≤ 25 min
• Vacuum Time to 100 mTorr: ≤ 20 min · Lowest System Vacuum: ≤ 15 mTorr
• Shelves: 316L stainless steel, typically (4) ~10.75" W × 20.5" D (~4.6 sq ft total) — confirm count/spacing on inspection
• Chamber / Shelf Material: 316L stainless steel
• Vacuum Pump: Leybold TRIVAC D8B, two-stage rotary vane (~8 m³/h; ultimate ≤ 1×10⁻⁴ mbar)
• Chiller: FTS Systems MaxiCool RC150 (208 V, 12 A, 60 Hz, 1-ph; R-407C)
• Control: VirTis Encore on Proficy iFIX 5.5 HMI/SCADA
• Electrical (dryer): 208–230 V, 1-phase, 30 A, 60 Hz
• Dimensions (dryer, approx.): 40" W × 30" D × 73.5" H, freestanding / mobile
• Manufacturer: SP Scientific (SP Industries), USA

Included in this Package

• (1) VirTis 25L Genesis SQ EL-85° Pilot Freeze Dryer with integrated condenser
• (1) Leybold TRIVAC D8B vacuum pump
• (1) FTS Systems MaxiCool RC150 recirculating chiller
• (1) 316L stainless-steel shelf assembly
• (1) Control PC (tower, monitor, keyboard, mouse) with Encore software installed
• Associated interconnect hoses / cabling as pictured