Process line for the production of freeze-dried particles

A process line for the production of freeze-dried particles under closed conditions, the process line comprising at least the following separate devices:

• a spray chamber for droplet generation and freeze congealing of the liquid droplets to form particles;
• and
• a bulk freeze-dryer for freeze drying the particles;
• wherein
• a transfer section is provided for a product transfer from the spray chamber to the freeze-dryer;
• for the production of the particles under end-to-end closed conditions each of the devices and of the transfer section is separately adapted for closed operation,
• the spray chamber is adapted for separation of the liquid droplets from any cooling circuit for the freeze congealing of the particles by comprising a cooled inner wall as the only cooling component for freezing the droplets, for avoiding a counter- or concurrent cooling flow;
• and
• the process devices and the transfer section form an integrated process line providing end-to-end protection of sterility of the product and/or end-to-end containment of the product.