EP0250318B1 - Cooling process and tunnel - Google Patents

Cooling process and tunnel Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0250318B1
EP0250318B1 EP87401357A EP87401357A EP0250318B1 EP 0250318 B1 EP0250318 B1 EP 0250318B1 EP 87401357 A EP87401357 A EP 87401357A EP 87401357 A EP87401357 A EP 87401357A EP 0250318 B1 EP0250318 B1 EP 0250318B1
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EP
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Prior art keywords
tunnel
compartment
gases
partition
hand
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EP87401357A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0250318A1 (en
Inventor
Jean Compagnon
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Carboxyque Francaise Te Puteaux Frankrijk
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Carboxyque Francaise SA
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Priority to AT87401357T priority Critical patent/ATE94632T1/en
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D3/00—Devices using other cold materials; Devices using cold-storage bodies
    • F25D3/10—Devices using other cold materials; Devices using cold-storage bodies using liquefied gases, e.g. liquid air
    • F25D3/11—Devices using other cold materials; Devices using cold-storage bodies using liquefied gases, e.g. liquid air with conveyors carrying articles to be cooled through the cooling space

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a tunnel for cooling a product by means of a cryogenic liquid of the type indicated in the preamble of claim 1.
  • product is meant either an object of great length such as a pipe , or a succession of objects of small dimensions.
  • Document EP-A-24 159 describes a process of the type indicated above, in which a central fan passes the gases from the first compartment to the second, the gases returning to the first compartment through the ends of the tunnel.
  • the invention therefore aims to provide an apparatus for cooling objects, which may be discrete or very long, quickly, continuously and at precise temperatures, with good thermal efficiency.
  • the subject of the invention is a tunnel of the aforementioned type, characterized by the characterizing part of claim 1.
  • the tunnel shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a thermally insulated outer box 1 of generally very parallelepipedal shape with a longitidinal horizontal axis.
  • This tunnel comprises in an end wall (on the right in FIG. 1) an inlet window 2 and, in the opposite end wall, an outlet window 3.
  • Each window is fitted with a flexible curtain (not shown) intended to minimize air entry into the tunnel.
  • a conveyor 4 constituted by an openwork endless belt, passes over two deflection pulleys 5, 6, one of which is driven, situated respectively a little upstream of the window 2 and a little downstream of the window 3.
  • the upper strand of this conveyor passes longitudinally through the box 1.
  • the tunnel is equipped with a horizontal partition 7.
  • This partition extends transversely over the entire width of the box and is connected to the walls side of it. On the other hand, in the longitudinal direction, it ends at a certain distance from the two end walls of the box.
  • the partition 7 consists of a double sheet, so as to have a significant thickness. At each end, this partition is profiled: its lower face is inclined upwards then rounded to connect to its upper face. About halfway along the length of the box, the partition 7 has a circular opening 8 defined by a ferrule. In this opening is arranged a propeller 9 of axial flow fan, suspended from a vertical axis 10 which crosses the ceiling of the box 1. On this ceiling is fixed an electric motor 11 for driving the axis 10. A deflector 12, consisting of a sheet metal arcuate longitudinally and extending laterally to the side walls of the box, is arranged under the propeller 9.
  • the partition 7 divides the interior space of the box 1 into two compartments: a first lower compartment 13 traversed longitudinally by the upper strand of the conveyor 4 and containing the deflector 12, and a second upper compartment 14, these two compartments communicating with each other on the one hand at each end of the tunnel, on the other hand through the opening 8.
  • a temperature probe 15 projects into the upper compartment 14, on the side of the outlet 3 of the tunnel, through the ceiling of the box.
  • a capillary tube 16 enters the same compartment 14 near the entrance 2 of the tunnel. This capillary crosses the ceiling of the box then curves to open horizontally in the compartment 14 in the direction of the axis 10 of the fan. To speed up the exchange of heat, the capillary 16 opens at the inlet of a longitudinally oriented venturi 17.
  • the upstream end of the capillary 16 is connected to a source 18 of liquid carbon dioxide at -20 ° C, 20 bars by a pipe 19 fitted with a solenoid valve 20.
  • the latter is controlled in whole or nothing by a temperature regulator-indicator 21 as a function of the information provided by the temperature probe 15.
  • the product to be cooled passes through the entire length of the tunnel on the upper strand of the conveyor 4, from the inlet 2 to the outlet 3 passing under the defector 12.
  • the propeller 9 is rotated, and liquid CO2 is expanded through the capillary 16 and forms at the outlet thereof, in the upper compartment 14, carbon dioxide snow which sublimes .
  • the dimensioning and the adjustment are such that the carbon dioxide snow sublimes before reaching the mid-length of the tunnel and being deposited on the walls of this one or on the partition 7.
  • there is no solid CO2 particle that is to say that the propeller 9 passes from compartment 14 to lower compartment 13 an exclusively gaseous flow.
  • This gas flow is deflected by the deflector 12 towards the two ends of the tunnel and, as all the supply of cold passes through the fan, the temperature of the gases sent in both directions into the compartment 13 is very uniform. At each end, the gases go back up into the compartment 14 to be recycled, this movement being favored by the profiling of the ends of the partition 7.
  • the probe 15 and the regulator 21 regulate the injection of liquid CO2 into the tunnel so as to maintain at a precise value the temperature of the gases circulating in the tunnel, this value being adjustable between 0 and -65 ° C, to within ⁇ 1 ° C.
  • the objects 22 are first subjected to a counter-current cooling, up to the deflector 12, then a co-current cooling.
  • This has the advantage of ensuring uniform cooling of the front and rear parts of the objects 22, in particular when the latter are relatively high.
  • a portion of the cold gases passes through the conveyor 4, which also ensures the cooling of the underside of these objects.
  • the cross section of the cold gases is reduced, and therefore the speed of circulation of these gases is increased, which promotes cooling efficiency.
  • cryogenic liquid other than CO2 may be used, for example liquid nitrogen, to ensure the supply of cold into the tunnel.

Abstract

Liquid carbon dioxide is injected through one end into the upper compartment (14) of the tunnel. The gaseous CO2 is circulated in the lower compartment (13) partly in a countercurrent manner and partly in a cocurrent manner relative to the objects (22) to be cooled, by a central fan (9). Application in the temporary hardening of products of rubber and plastics material and in the precise cooling of food products.

Description

La présente invention est relative à un tunnel de refroidissement d'un produit au moyen d' un liquide cryogénique du type indiqué dans le préambule de la revendication 1. Par "produit", on entend soit un objet de grande longueur tel qu'un tuyau, soit une succession d'objets de petites dimmensions.The present invention relates to a tunnel for cooling a product by means of a cryogenic liquid of the type indicated in the preamble of claim 1. By "product" is meant either an object of great length such as a pipe , or a succession of objects of small dimensions.

L'invention s'applique notamment aux cas suivants :

  • modification des propriétés mécaniques d'un produit, par exemple durcissement de tuyaux en caoutchouc en vue de la pose d'une tresse métallique extérieure, durcissement de feuilles ou de joncs en caoutchouc ou en matière plastique pour l'obtention d'une découpe franche, durcissement de produits extrudés tels que des confiseries ou des fromages, etc...
  • accélération du refroidissement de produits pour éviter leur entreposage et permettre une fabrication en continu, par temple refroidissement de biscuits en sortie de four pour l'emballage en continu, sous-refroidissement de crèmes glacées avant enrobage à chaud, prise rapide de gelées en charcuterie, etc...
The invention applies in particular to the following cases:
  • modification of the mechanical properties of a product, for example hardening of rubber hoses with a view to fitting an external metallic braid, hardening of sheets or rods of rubber or plastic to obtain a clean cut, hardening of extruded products such as confectionery or cheese, etc.
  • acceleration of the cooling of products to avoid their storage and allow a continuous manufacturing, by temple cooling of cookies at the exit of the oven for the continuous packaging, sub-cooling of ice creams before hot coating, rapid setting of jellies in cold cuts, etc ...

Tous ces cas exigent deux impératifs :

  • (1) Obtenir un résultat homogène sur l'ensemble de la production. Par exemple, en ce qui concerne les chaînes de production de biscuits, un biscuit trop chaud dégagera de la vapeur d'eau dans son emballage, d'où condensation et moisissures, tandis qu'un biscuit trop froid condensera l'humidité lors de son passage à l'air libre, ce qui provoquera le même inconvénient que précédemment.
  • (2) Pouvoir adapter exactement la température du tunnel à la nature du produit et au résultat recherché. Par exemple, s'il s'agit de refroidir un produit dans sa masse avec un gradient de température minimal, la température du tunnel devra pouvoir être réglée de manière précise en fonction de la conductibilité thermique du produit, et le gaz en circulation sur le produit devra être exempt de toutes particules liquides (azote liquide) ou solides (neige carbonique) qui provoqueraient des points froids en surface entraînant soit une condensation, soit une détérioration de l'aspect du produit. S'il s'agit d'obtenir un durcissement en surface (croûtage), la température devra pouvoir être réglée sur la valeur minimale procurant ce résultat sans dommage pour l'état de surface du produit.
All these cases require two imperatives:
  • (1) Obtain a homogeneous result over the entire production. For example, with regard to cookie production lines, a cookie that is too hot will give off steam in its packaging, resulting in condensation and mold, while a cookie that is too cold will condense moisture when it is passage to the open air, which will cause the same drawback as above.
  • (2) Being able to adapt the temperature of the tunnel exactly to the nature of the product and the desired result. For example, if it is to cool a product in its mass with a minimum temperature gradient, the temperature of the tunnel must be able to be adjusted precisely as a function of the thermal conductivity of the product, and the gas circulating on the product must be free of all liquid particles (liquid nitrogen ) or solids (dry ice) which would cause cold spots on the surface resulting in either condensation or deterioration of the appearance of the product. If it is a question of obtaining a surface hardening (crusting), the temperature must be able to be adjusted to the minimum value providing this result without damage to the surface condition of the product.

Le document EP-A-24 159 décrit un procédé du type indiqué plus haut, dans lequel un ventilateur central fait passer les gaz du premier compartiment au second, les gaz retournant dans le premier compartiment par les extrémités du tunnel.Document EP-A-24 159 describes a process of the type indicated above, in which a central fan passes the gases from the first compartment to the second, the gases returning to the first compartment through the ends of the tunnel.

Cette conception connue présente de graves inconvénients :

  • ce sont les gaz les plus froids qui s'échappent du tunnel par les extrémités de celui-ci ;
  • la partie frontale des produits à refroidir tend à s'opposer à la circulation des gaz, notamment lorsque ces produits sont hauts. Les gaz froids arrivant dans le premier compartiment sont ainsi partiellement refoulés vers l'extérieur du tunnel ;
  • la position de l' injecteur de liquide cryogénique au centre du ventilateur ne permet pas un débit d'injection important sans risque d'accumulation de neige carbonique sur le ventilateur.
This known design has serious drawbacks:
  • these are the coldest gases which escape from the tunnel through the ends of the latter;
  • the front part of the products to be cooled tends to oppose the circulation of gases, especially when these products are high. The cold gases arriving in the first compartment are thus partially discharged towards the outside of the tunnel;
  • the position of the cryogenic liquid injector in the center of the fan does not allow a large injection rate without risk of carbon dioxide snow accumulation on the fan.

Par suite, le rendement thermique est médiocre, et de l'air humide tend à être aspiré dans le tunnel et à provoquer un givrage sur les produits.As a result, the thermal efficiency is poor, and humid air tends to be drawn into the tunnel and cause icing on the products.

L'invention a ainsi pour but de fournir un appareil permettant de refroidir des objets, qui peuvent être discrets ou de grande longueur, de façon rapide, continue et à des températures précises, ce avec un bon rendement thermique.The invention therefore aims to provide an apparatus for cooling objects, which may be discrete or very long, quickly, continuously and at precise temperatures, with good thermal efficiency.

A cet effet, l'invention a pour objet un tunnel du type précité, caractérisé par la partie caractérisante de la revendication 1.To this end, the subject of the invention is a tunnel of the aforementioned type, characterized by the characterizing part of claim 1.

Des caractéristiques avantageuses sont décrites dans les sous - revendications 2 à 5.Advantageous features are described in subclaims 2 to 5.

Il est à noter que l'utilisation de ventilateurs à flux axial dans un tunnel de refroidissement cryogénique est décrite dans le FR-A-1 575 286.It should be noted that the use of axial flow fans in a cryogenic cooling tunnel is described in FR-A-1 575 286.

Un exemple de réalisation de l'invention va maintenant être décrit en regard du dessin annexé, sur lequel :

  • la figure 1 est une vue schématique en coupe longitudinale d'un tunnel de refroidissement conforme à l'invention ; et
  • la figure 2 est une vue schématique en coupe transversale prise suivant la ligne II-II de la figure 1.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the appended drawing, in which:
  • Figure 1 is a schematic view in longitudinal section of a cooling tunnel according to the invention; and
  • Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of Figure 1.

Le tunnel représenté aux figures 1 et 2 comprend un caisson extérieur calorifugé 1 de forme générale parallélépipédique très allongée et à axe longitidinal horizontal. Ce tunnel comporte dans une paroi d'extrémité (à droite sur la figure 1) une fenêtre d'entrée 2 et, dans la paroi d'extrémité opposée, une fenêtre de sortie 3. Chaque fenêtre est équipée d'un rideau souple (non représenté) destiné à réduire au maximum les entrées d'air dans le tunnel.The tunnel shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a thermally insulated outer box 1 of generally very parallelepipedal shape with a longitidinal horizontal axis. This tunnel comprises in an end wall (on the right in FIG. 1) an inlet window 2 and, in the opposite end wall, an outlet window 3. Each window is fitted with a flexible curtain (not shown) intended to minimize air entry into the tunnel.

Un convoyeur 4, constitué par un tapis sans fin ajouré, passe sur deux poulies de renvoi 5, 6, dont l'une 6 est motrice, situées respectivement un peu en amont de la fenêtre 2 et un peu en aval de la fenêtre 3. Le brin supérieur de ce convoyeur traverse longitudinalement le caisson 1.A conveyor 4, constituted by an openwork endless belt, passes over two deflection pulleys 5, 6, one of which is driven, situated respectively a little upstream of the window 2 and a little downstream of the window 3. The upper strand of this conveyor passes longitudinally through the box 1.

A peu près à mi-hauteur de l'espace du caisson 1 situé au-dessus du convoyeur 4, le tunnel est équipé d'une cloison horizontale 7. Cette cloison s'étend transversalement sur toute la largeur du caisson et est reliée aux parois latérales de celui-ci. Par contre, dans le sens longitudinal, elle se termine à une certaine distance des deux parois d'extrémité du caisson.About halfway up the space of the box 1 located above the conveyor 4, the tunnel is equipped with a horizontal partition 7. This partition extends transversely over the entire width of the box and is connected to the walls side of it. On the other hand, in the longitudinal direction, it ends at a certain distance from the two end walls of the box.

La cloison 7 est constituée d'une double tôle, de façon à présenter une épaisseur notable. A chaque extrémité, cette cloison est profilée : sa face inférieure est inclinée vers le haut puis arrondie pour se raccorder à sa face supérieure. A peu près à mi-longueur du caisson, la cloison 7 présente une ouverture circulaire 8 définie par une virole. Dans cette ouverture est disposée une hélice 9 de ventilateur à flux axial, suspendue à un axe vertical 10 qui traverse le plafond du caisson 1. Sur ce plafond est fixé un moteur électrique 11 d'entraînement de l'axe 10. Un déflecteur 12, constitué par une tôle arquée longitudinalement et s'étendant latéralement jusqu'aux parois latérales du caisson, est disposé sous l'hélice 9.The partition 7 consists of a double sheet, so as to have a significant thickness. At each end, this partition is profiled: its lower face is inclined upwards then rounded to connect to its upper face. About halfway along the length of the box, the partition 7 has a circular opening 8 defined by a ferrule. In this opening is arranged a propeller 9 of axial flow fan, suspended from a vertical axis 10 which crosses the ceiling of the box 1. On this ceiling is fixed an electric motor 11 for driving the axis 10. A deflector 12, consisting of a sheet metal arcuate longitudinally and extending laterally to the side walls of the box, is arranged under the propeller 9.

Ainsi, la cloison 7 divise l'espace intérieur du caisson 1 en deux compartiments : un premier compartiment inférieur 13 traversé longitudinalement par le brin supérieur du convoyeur 4 et contenant le déflecteur 12, et un second compartiment supérieur 14, ces deux compartiments communiquant entre eux d'une part à chaque extrémité du tunnel, d'autre part à travers l'ouverture 8.Thus, the partition 7 divides the interior space of the box 1 into two compartments: a first lower compartment 13 traversed longitudinally by the upper strand of the conveyor 4 and containing the deflector 12, and a second upper compartment 14, these two compartments communicating with each other on the one hand at each end of the tunnel, on the other hand through the opening 8.

Une sonde de température 15 fait saillie dans le compartiment supérieur 14, du côté de la sortie 3 du tunnel, à travers le plafond du caisson. Un tube capillaire 16 pénètre dans le même compartiment 14 près de l'entrée 2 du tunnel. Ce capillaire traverse le plafond du caisson puis s'incurve pour déboucher horizontalement dans le compartiment 14 en direction de l'axe 10 du ventilateur. Pour accélérer l'échange de chaleur, le capillaire 16 débouche à l'entrée d'un venturi 17 orienté longitudinalement.A temperature probe 15 projects into the upper compartment 14, on the side of the outlet 3 of the tunnel, through the ceiling of the box. A capillary tube 16 enters the same compartment 14 near the entrance 2 of the tunnel. This capillary crosses the ceiling of the box then curves to open horizontally in the compartment 14 in the direction of the axis 10 of the fan. To speed up the exchange of heat, the capillary 16 opens at the inlet of a longitudinally oriented venturi 17.

Au-dessus du caisson, l'extrémité amont du capillaire 16 est reliée à une source 18 d'anhydride carbonique liquide à -20°C, 20 bars par une conduite 19 équipée d'une électrovanne 20. Cette dernière est commandée en tout ou rien par un régulateur-indicateur de température 21 en fonction des informations fournies par la sonde de température 15.Above the box, the upstream end of the capillary 16 is connected to a source 18 of liquid carbon dioxide at -20 ° C, 20 bars by a pipe 19 fitted with a solenoid valve 20. The latter is controlled in whole or nothing by a temperature regulator-indicator 21 as a function of the information provided by the temperature probe 15.

En fonctionnement, le produit à refroidir, constitué par exemple, comme représenté, d'une succession d'objets parallélépipédiques 22, défile à travers toute la longueur du tunnel sur le brin supérieur du convoyeur 4, de l'entrée 2 à la sortie 3 en passant sous le défecteur 12. L'hélice 9 est entraînée en rotation, et du CO₂ liquide est détendu à travers le capillaire 16 et forme à la sortie de celui-ci, dans le compartiment supérieur 14, de la neige carbonique qui se sublime. Le dimensionnement et le réglage sont tels que la neige carbonique se sublime avant d'atteindre la mi-longueur du tunnel et de se déposer sur les parois de celui-ci ou sur la cloison 7. Ainsi, à l'emplacement de l'ouverture 8, il n'y a aucune particule de CO₂ solide, c'est-à-dire que l'hélice 9 fait passer du compartiment 14 au compartiment inférieur 13 un flux exclusivement gazeux.In operation, the product to be cooled, consisting for example, as shown, of a succession of parallelepipedic objects 22, passes through the entire length of the tunnel on the upper strand of the conveyor 4, from the inlet 2 to the outlet 3 passing under the defector 12. The propeller 9 is rotated, and liquid CO₂ is expanded through the capillary 16 and forms at the outlet thereof, in the upper compartment 14, carbon dioxide snow which sublimes . The dimensioning and the adjustment are such that the carbon dioxide snow sublimes before reaching the mid-length of the tunnel and being deposited on the walls of this one or on the partition 7. Thus, at the location of the opening 8, there is no solid CO₂ particle, that is to say that the propeller 9 passes from compartment 14 to lower compartment 13 an exclusively gaseous flow.

Ce flux gazeux est dévié par le déflecteur 12 vers les deux extrémités du tunnel et, comme tout l'apport de froid passe par le ventilateur, la température des gaz envoyés dans les deux directions dans le compartiment 13 est bien uniforme. A chaque extrémité, les gaz remontent dans le compartiment 14 pour être recyclés, ce mouvement étant favorisé par le profilage des extrémités de la cloison 7. La sonde 15 et le régulateur 21 règlent l'injection de CO₂ liquide dans le tunnel de façon à maintenir à une valeur précise la température des gaz circulant dans le tunnel, cette valeur pouvant être réglée entre 0 et -65°C environ, à ± 1°C près.This gas flow is deflected by the deflector 12 towards the two ends of the tunnel and, as all the supply of cold passes through the fan, the temperature of the gases sent in both directions into the compartment 13 is very uniform. At each end, the gases go back up into the compartment 14 to be recycled, this movement being favored by the profiling of the ends of the partition 7. The probe 15 and the regulator 21 regulate the injection of liquid CO₂ into the tunnel so as to maintain at a precise value the temperature of the gases circulating in the tunnel, this value being adjustable between 0 and -65 ° C, to within ± 1 ° C.

Ainsi, les objets 22 subissent d'abord un refroidissement à contre-courant, jusqu'au déflecteur 12, puis un refroidissement à co-courant. Ceci présente l'avantage d'assurer un refroidissement uniforme des parties avant et arrière des objets 22, notamment lorsque ceux-ci sont relativement hauts. De plus, une partie des gaz froids traverse le convoyeur 4, ce qui assure également le refroidissement du dessous de ces objets. On peut encore remarquer que grâce à la forte épaisseur de la cloison 7, la section de passage des gaz froids est réduite, et donc la vitesse de circulation de ces gaz est augmentée, ce qui favorise l'efficacité du refroidissement.Thus, the objects 22 are first subjected to a counter-current cooling, up to the deflector 12, then a co-current cooling. This has the advantage of ensuring uniform cooling of the front and rear parts of the objects 22, in particular when the latter are relatively high. In addition, a portion of the cold gases passes through the conveyor 4, which also ensures the cooling of the underside of these objects. We can still notice that thanks to the strong thickness of the partition 7, the cross section of the cold gases is reduced, and therefore the speed of circulation of these gases is increased, which promotes cooling efficiency.

On a constaté que le tunnel décrit ci-dessus permet de refroidir en continu, rapidement et à une température précise comprise dans une large gamme des produits très divers, parmi lesquels on peut citer des produits en caoutchouc ou en matière plastique, des articles de confiserie, de biscuiterie, de patisserie, de fromagerie, de charcuterie, etc...It has been found that the tunnel described above makes it possible to cool continuously, rapidly and to a precise temperature included in a wide range of very diverse products, among which there may be mentioned rubber or plastic products, confectionery items , biscuit, pastry, cheese, cold meats, etc ...

En variante, on peut utiliser un liquide cryogénique autre que le CO₂, par exemple de l'azote liquide, pour assurer l'apport de froid dans le tunnel.Alternatively, a cryogenic liquid other than CO₂ may be used, for example liquid nitrogen, to ensure the supply of cold into the tunnel.

Claims (5)

  1. A tunnel for chilling a product (22), of the type comprising a partition (7) dividing it into two compartments (13, 14) communicating with each other on the one hand at both ends of the tunnel, and on the other hand at an intermediate location, particularly half way along the tunnel, means (4) for longitudinally displacing the product to be chilled through a first compartment, means for injecting a cryogenic liquid opening into the other compartment (14), and also circulation means (9) to cause the gases resulting from the vaporisation of the liquid in the second compartment (14) to pass into the first compartment (13) on the one hand at both ends of the tunnel, and on the other hand at said intermediate location (8), characterised in that said circulation means comprise a fan, particularly with axial flow, mounted in an opening (8) in the partition (7) provided in said intermediate location and arranged so as to blow said gases from the second compartment (14) into the first compartment (13) at this intermediate location, and in that a longitudinal deflector (12) is mounted facing the delivery of the fan (9).
  2. A tunnel according to Claim 1, characterised in that the partition (7) is horizontal.
  3. A tunnel according to one of Claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the partition (7) has a considerable thickness in order to reduce the section of passage of the gases.
  4. A tunnel according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that said injection means (16) open at one end only of the tunnel.
  5. A tunnel according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that it comprises a temperature probe (15) adapted to measure the temperature of the gases at a point in the tunnel where the cryogenic liquid is fully vaporised and controlling an electrovalve (20) for regulating the injection of this liquid.
EP87401357A 1986-06-18 1987-06-17 Cooling process and tunnel Expired - Lifetime EP0250318B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT87401357T ATE94632T1 (en) 1986-06-18 1987-06-17 REFRIGERATION PROCESSES AND TUNNEL.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8608774A FR2600406B1 (en) 1986-06-18 1986-06-18 COOLING PROCESS AND TUNNEL
FR8608774 1986-06-18

Publications (2)

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EP0250318A1 EP0250318A1 (en) 1987-12-23
EP0250318B1 true EP0250318B1 (en) 1993-09-15

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EP87401357A Expired - Lifetime EP0250318B1 (en) 1986-06-18 1987-06-17 Cooling process and tunnel

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US (1) US4757691A (en)
EP (1) EP0250318B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE94632T1 (en)
AU (1) AU588199B2 (en)
CA (1) CA1298714C (en)
DE (1) DE3787406T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2043677T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2600406B1 (en)

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FR2620804B1 (en) * 1987-09-21 1990-02-16 Air Liquide METHOD FOR THE CONTINUOUS COOLING OF AN EXTRUDED PRODUCT AND INSTALLATION FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION
US4912943A (en) * 1988-12-14 1990-04-03 Liquid Air Corporation Method and apparatus for enhancing production capacity and flexibility of a multi-tier refrigeration tunnel
US4955209A (en) * 1989-11-01 1990-09-11 Cryo-Chem Inc. Cryogenic bath freezer with pivoted conveyor belt
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Also Published As

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EP0250318A1 (en) 1987-12-23
US4757691A (en) 1988-07-19
DE3787406D1 (en) 1993-10-21
AU588199B2 (en) 1989-09-07
DE3787406T2 (en) 1994-01-13
CA1298714C (en) 1992-04-14
ES2043677T3 (en) 1994-01-01
FR2600406B1 (en) 1988-08-05
AU7442487A (en) 1987-12-24
ATE94632T1 (en) 1993-10-15
FR2600406A1 (en) 1987-12-24

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