Vacuum Tray Dryer
A low-temperature drying system for solvent-wet and heat-sensitive pharmaceutical materials. Hollow heated shelves and a vacuum-tight chamber allow drying at reduced pressure with integrated solvent recovery.
The TCS Vacuum Tray Dryer dries product loaded on hollow, internally-heated shelves inside a sealed chamber held under vacuum. Lowering the chamber pressure reduces the boiling point of residual moisture or solvent, so the material dries at a lower temperature than a conventional convective dryer would require.
This makes it the standard choice immediately downstream of filtration steps — taking a solvent-wet cake from an ANFD or Nutsche Filter — where both product heat-sensitivity and solvent recovery are process requirements rather than optional extras.
- 01Wet cake or material is loaded onto SS trays resting on hollow, jacketed shelves heated by circulating hot water, steam or thermic fluid.
- 02The chamber door is sealed and a vacuum pump evacuates the chamber, lowering internal pressure and the boiling point of the moisture/solvent present.
- 03Heat conducts from the shelves into the product; vapour generated is drawn to a condenser, liquefied, and collected in a receiver for solvent recovery.
- 04Drying continues until the target moisture/solvent content is reached, monitored via vacuum level and batch time or weight loss.
Typical Applications
Industries Served
Where Vacuum Tray Dryer sits in a typical process line
Hollow Heated Shelves
Jacketed SS304/SS316 shelves heated by hot water, steam or thermic fluid circulation.
Vacuum-Tight Door
Toggle-clamped door with gasket seal rated for the operating vacuum level.
Integrated Condenser
Vapour condensing and receiver system supports solvent recovery as standard.
Vacuum & Safety Instrumentation
Vacuum gauge and safety relief valve fitted as standard on every unit.
Lower Drying Temperatures
Reduced boiling point under vacuum protects heat-sensitive actives from thermal degradation.
Solvent Recovery, Not Loss
Condensing recovered solvent reduces both raw material cost and environmental discharge.
Closed-System Operation
Sealed chamber limits operator exposure to solvent vapour during drying.
| Model | No. of Shelves | Shelf Area (m²) | Loading Capacity (kg/batch) | Vacuum Level (mmHg) | Heating Medium | Connected Load (kW) | Overall Dimensions L×W×H (mm) | MOC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TCS-VTD-06 | 6 | 6 | 30–45 | up to 700 | Hot Water | 6 | 1400×1100×1800 | SS304 |
| TCS-VTD-12 | 12 | 12 | 60–90 | up to 700 | Hot Water / Steam | 10 | 1800×1300×2000 | SS304 / SS316 |
| TCS-VTD-24 | 24 | 24 | 120–180 | up to 700 | Steam / Thermic Fluid | 16 | 2400×1600×2200 | SS316 |
| TCS-VTD-36 | 36 | 36 | 180–270 | up to 700 | Steam / Thermic Fluid | 22 | 3000×1900×2300 | SS316 |
- ChamberReinforced cylindrical or rectangular vacuum vessel, SS304/SS316.
- DoorHinged, toggle-clamped, gasket-sealed for vacuum integrity.
- ShelvesHollow SS jacketed shelves with internal heating-medium circulation.
- Vacuum SystemLiquid-ring or dry-type vacuum pump sized to chamber volume.
- CondenserShell-and-tube or plate condenser with solvent receiver vessel.
- ControlsVacuum gauge and temperature indicator standard; PLC-based control optional.
Designed with cGMP and xGMP principles in mind
Vacuum-tight construction, crevice-free internal welding and cleanable shelf surfaces are built to commonly accepted xGMP expectations for solvent-handling pharmaceutical equipment, with design support for FDA-oriented documentation such as DQ/IQ/OQ protocols. TCS does not issue regulatory certification. Compliance of the installed equipment within a specific facility, including any hazardous-area classification, is subject to the customer's own validation and regulatory process.
Why use a Vacuum Tray Dryer instead of a standard Tray Dryer?
Vacuum drying lowers the boiling point of moisture or solvent, allowing drying at lower temperatures — important for heat-sensitive actives and for recovering solvent rather than venting it.
What solvents can be recovered?
Common process solvents such as alcohols, acetone and chlorinated solvents are typically recoverable via the condenser system. Subject to process requirement and solvent compatibility review.
What vacuum level does the dryer operate at?
Standard units are designed for vacuum levels up to approximately 700 mmHg, depending on the heating medium and product requirement.
Is the equipment suitable for hazardous-area (Ex) installation?
Explosion-proof electricals and Ex-rated fittings are available as an optional configuration for solvent-handling installations classified as hazardous areas.
What heating media are supported?
Hot water, steam, or thermic fluid — selected based on the temperature range required and the customer's existing utility infrastructure.
What utilities are needed besides heating?
A vacuum pump, cooling water for the condenser, and electrical supply for controls and the vacuum pump motor are required.
What is the typical drying cycle time?
Cycle time depends on cake thickness, solvent load and target dryness, and is confirmed against the customer's process datasheet. Subject to process requirement.
Can documentation support be provided for validation?
Yes — a DQ/IQ/OQ documentation package is available as an optional add-on to support the customer's own qualification process.
Product Brochure
PLACEHOLDER — brochure file to be attached
GA Drawing
PLACEHOLDER — general arrangement drawing to be attached
Technical Datasheet
PLACEHOLDER — datasheet to be attached
Get a sizing recommendation for your batch.
Share your material, target capacity and process requirement — a TCS engineer will respond directly.