New Cryogenic Freezer Design Improves Efficiencies for Food Processors

Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (Lehigh Valley, PA) has announced a breakthrough in cryogenic food freezing technology that reduces space requirements and liquid nitrogen consumption.

The new freezer, marketed as the Cryo-Quick VT, features a liquid nitrogen spray freezer tunnel that is a significant departure from conventional tunnel design -- offering greater precision in temperature control and an increase in the output of freezing equipment.

Such improvements result from the introduction of gas vortices -- spinning spirals of nitrogen gas -- into the tunnel's aerodynamics. After extensive wind tunnel modeling conducted with Oxford University, Air Products discovered that the conventional position for tunnel air fans above the belt is less efficient. By locating them under the belt, a gas vortex is created above the food, thereby providing a considerable increase in heat transfer efficiency. With the addition of design improvements to the spray nozzles as well, an overall improvement in heat transfer of over 100% has been achieved.

Commenting on the new technology, William Roberts, marketing manager for Air Products' Food segment, said, "The Cryo-Quick VT freezer builds on the primary financial benefit of cryogenic food freezing -- low capital cost -- by reducing operating costs as well. The result is a much lower investment risk option for food processors when compared with alternative mechanical systems." Roberts added that the system can be used to freeze virtually any type of food, including fish, meat, poultry, vegetables, fruit, confectionery and bakery products.

The new freezer was developed through Air Products' Cryogenic Center of Excellence housed in the UK. In trials with food processors conducted over a two-year period, the unit more than doubled the output of conventional cryogenic freezers of the same length, and reduced liquid nitrogen consumption up to 20% on some applications.

For more information contact Air Products and Chemicals, 7201 Hamilton Blvd., Allentown, PA 18195. Tel: 610-481-4911; Fax: 610-481-5900.