Freeze-drying apparatus

A freeze-drying apparatus comprising:

• a drying chamber extending from a first end to a second end of the drying chamber along a longitudinal axis, from a bottom to a top of the drying chamber along a height axis, and from a first side to a second side of the drying chamber along a lateral axis, a central horizontal plane of the drying chamber extending in parallel to the longitudinal and lateral axes and being positioned centrally in the drying chamber in relation to the height axis,
• a door at the first end of the drying chamber,
• a first condenser chamber comprising a first condenser arranged laterally to the drying chamber at the first side with a first wall between the first condenser chamber and the drying chamber,
• a second condenser chamber comprising a second condenser arranged laterally to the drying chamber at the second side with a second wall between the second condenser chamber and the drying chamber,
• each of which first and second walls is provided with at least one opening allowing fluid communication between the drying chamber and the respective condenser chamber, and
• a heating arrangement comprising a plurality of heating elements, which heating elements are spaced apart in the height axis, with a stack height extending between a bottom heating element and a top heating element,
• wherein at least one of the openings in each of the first and second wall extends at least partially within the stack height, and
• wherein a first of the openings in the respective side walls extends above the central horizontal plane of the drying chamber, and a second of the openings in the respective side walls extends below the central horizontal plane, and
• wherein each of the openings have associated valves, each valve being moveable between an open position and a closed position sealing the drying chamber from the associated condenser chamber, and
• wherein respective intermediate portions of the first and second walls extending between the respective first and second openings are solid meaning that no openings between the condenser chamber and drying chamber are provided in the intermediate portions.