Martin Christ Beta 2-8 LDplus User Manual
Page 18

18 General Information on Freeze-drying
Operating Manual Freeze Dryer BETA 1-8 LDplus / BETA 2-8 LDplus
Sublimation
The principle of sublimation is briefly explained using the phase 
diagram of water (freeze-drying of mainly aqueous solutions, see 
vapour pressure curve). If the atmospheric pressure is higher than 
6.11 mbar, water passes through all three phases (solid, liquid, 
gas) when the temperature is lowered or raised. At 6.11 mbar the 
melting pressure curve, vapour pressure curve and sublimation 
pressure curve meet in one point called triple point. At this point all 
three phases occur in parallel (simultaneously). Below this point, 
i.e. the pressure is lower than 6.11 mbar, the ice is converted 
directly from a solid to a gaseous phase on reaching the 
sublimation pressure curve (vapour pressure curve above ice). 
 
 
 
Conversion table "Vapor pressure above ice" (sublimation 
curve) 
Pressure units:
1mbar = 100Pa
1Pa = 0.01mbar
Temperature units:
273
t
T
273
T
t
32
8
.
1
t
t
F
8
.
1
32
F
t
t
T = thermodynamic temperature
K (Kelvin)
t = temperature in degree Celsius
°C
t
F
= temperature in degree Fahrenheit °F
