Labconco Freezone 4.5 Liter Freeze Dryer System

The older 4.5 L system, such as catalog 7751020, has a −50 °C collector and a 4.5 L ice capacity. Labconco’s documentation specifies a vacuum pump of at least 86 L/min for these legacy systems.

Important distinction: old vs. current 4.5 L

Labconco has produced several generations of the 4.5 L FreeZone. The current benchtop 4.5 L models can be configured for −50, −84, or −105 °C, and newer units use the Lyo-Works touchscreen control system.

For example, the current 4.5 L −50 °C model has a footprint of approximately 41.9 × 56.9 × 48.0 cm and weighs about 63 kg. It requires a vacuum pump with at least 98 L/min displacement and an ultimate pressure of about 0.02 mbar.

What it is used for

A typical process is:

Freeze sample → apply vacuum → ice sublimates → collect water on the cold condenser → obtain dry sample

It is particularly useful when you want to preserve the sample’s structure or biological/chemical properties better than conventional evaporation.

If you’re looking at a used unit

The exact catalog number and serial number matter a lot. For an older FreeZone 4.5 L, specifications, required vacuum pump, controls, refrigerant system, and available parts can differ from newer models.

If you give me the model/catalog number (for example, 7751020, 70040...) or send me a photo of the nameplate, I can identify the exact version and tell you its specifications, vacuum-pump requirements, electrical requirements, approximate price/value, and whether it is suitable for your application.