EP2619514A1 - Tunnel de congélation et procédés d'utilisation - Google Patents

Tunnel de congélation et procédés d'utilisation

Info

Publication number
EP2619514A1
EP2619514A1 EP11827267.3A EP11827267A EP2619514A1 EP 2619514 A1 EP2619514 A1 EP 2619514A1 EP 11827267 A EP11827267 A EP 11827267A EP 2619514 A1 EP2619514 A1 EP 2619514A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
conveyor
cooling
freeze tunnel
food product
cooling section
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP11827267.3A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP2619514B1 (fr
EP2619514A4 (fr
Inventor
William Thomas Hockett
Frederick D. Webb
Michael Christopher Metcalf
Robert Joseph Lane
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Lamb Weston Inc
Original Assignee
Conagra Foods Lamb Weston Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Conagra Foods Lamb Weston Inc filed Critical Conagra Foods Lamb Weston Inc
Publication of EP2619514A1 publication Critical patent/EP2619514A1/fr
Publication of EP2619514A4 publication Critical patent/EP2619514A4/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2619514B1 publication Critical patent/EP2619514B1/fr
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25DREFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D13/00Stationary devices, e.g. cold-rooms
    • F25D13/06Stationary devices, e.g. cold-rooms with conveyors carrying articles to be cooled through the cooling space
    • F25D13/067Stationary devices, e.g. cold-rooms with conveyors carrying articles to be cooled through the cooling space with circulation of gaseous cooling fluid

Definitions

  • This disclosure is directed to a novel freeze tunnel and methods of using the same to at least partially freeze food products, such as sweet potato or other potato products.
  • Freeze tunnels are one way to freeze materials, including food products.
  • Conventional freeze tunnels include a conveyor belt that transports materials through an enclosure that is maintained at a temperature sufficient to freeze the transported materials.
  • Such conventional systems suffer from many drawbacks which reduce the efficiency of the system. Accordingly, there is a need for improved efficiency freeze tunnel systems.
  • a freeze tunnel has a first end and a second end, and a conveyor configured to move food product from the first end to the second end.
  • the conveyor has a first side and a second side.
  • At least one first cooling unit and at least one first fan are positioned on the first side of the conveyor, and at least one second cooling unit and at least one second fan are positioned on the second side of the conveyor.
  • the first and second cooling units are not vertically aligned with the conveyor. The first and second fans cooperate to circulate air inside the freeze tunnel in two opposite rotational directions.
  • the two opposite rotational directions can comprise a first air flow pattern that rotates counter-clockwise when viewed along a longitudinal direction of the freeze tunnel and a second air flow pattern that rotates clockwise when viewed along the longitudinal direction of the freeze tunnel.
  • the first and second air flow patterns can move in the same general direction.
  • the first and second cooling units can be positioned in the freeze tunnel at locations lower than the conveyor and the first and second fans can be positioned in the freeze tunnel at locations higher than the conveyor.
  • the first fan can be configured to pull air from an area above the conveyor and blow air downward towards the first cooling unit, while the second fan can be configured pull air from an area above the conveyor and blow air downward towards the second cooling unit.
  • the at least one first cooling unit comprises a plurality of first cooling units that extend substantially along the length of the freeze tunnel
  • the at least one second cooling unit comprises a plurality of second cooling units that extend
  • the plurality of second cooling units can be positioned generally opposite the plurality of first cooling units relative to the conveyor.
  • the freeze tunnel can comprise a first cooling section having at least one of the plurality of first cooling units and at least one of the plurality of second cooling units; a second cooling section having at least one of the plurality of first cooling units and at least one of the plurality of second cooling units; and a third cooling section having at least one of the plurality of first cooling units and at least one of the plurality of second cooling units.
  • a first baffle member can be positioned between the first and second cooling sections and a second baffle member can be positioned between the second and third cooling sections.
  • the first cooling section can comprise a pre-cooling section that has an inner air temperature of between about 40 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit
  • the second cooling section can comprise an intermediate cooling section that is configured to freeze an outside surface of the food product.
  • the conveyor can comprise a first conveyor that transfers the food product through the first cooling section, a second conveyor that transfers the food product through the second cooling section, and a third conveyor that transfers the food product through the third cooling section.
  • the freeze tunnel can comprise a product exchange between the second and third conveyor, which causes the food product to be shaken up to reduce clumping.
  • the second cooling section can include a temperature adjustment member that can adjust the temperature of the second cooling section to a temperature at which the outside surface of the food product will freeze just before the food product reaches the product exchange between the second and third conveyors.
  • the adjustable temperature range of the second cooling section can be between about 20 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • the temperature adjustment member can be a device for changing the temperature of the second cooling section while the freeze tunnel is in operation.
  • a method of freezing a food product comprising advancing the food product into a freeze tunnel on a conveyor.
  • a first cooling unit can be provided on a first side of the conveyor and a second cooling unit can be provided on a second side of the conveyor.
  • Air can be circulated through the first cooling unit and towards the conveyor in a first air flow pattern and through the second cooling unit and towards the conveyor in a second air flow pattern.
  • the first and second air flow patterns can be rotationally opposite from one another.
  • the first and second air flow patterns can be in the same general direction as air from the first and second air flow patterns collectively passes through the conveyor.
  • a first fan can be provided on the first side of the conveyor and a second fan can be provided on the second side of the conveyor.
  • the first and second fans can circulate air in the freeze tunnel in the first and second air flow patterns, respectively, and air from both the first and second air flow patterns can move collectively upwards through the conveyor.
  • a plurality of the first cooling units can be provided on the first side of the conveyor and a plurality of second cooling units can be provided on the second side of the conveyor.
  • the first and second cooling units can extend substantially the length of the freeze tunnel.
  • the food product can be advanced through a first cooling section that has an internal temperature of between about 40 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit and through a second cooling section that is maintained at a temperature that causes an outside surface of the food product to freeze.
  • the food product can also be advanced through a third cooling section to further freeze the food product.
  • the conveyor can comprise at least a first and second conveyor. Food product can be transferred from a first conveyor to a second conveyor immediately after the outside surface of the food product is frozen in the second cooling section.
  • the temperature of the second cooling section can be adjusted in real time to ensure that the outside surface of the food product freezes before the food product is transferred from the first conveyor to the second conveyor.
  • the outside surface of the food product comprises an oil layer from a process step performed prior to entry of the food product into the freeze tunnel (e.g., frying, parfrying).
  • the solidification of the outside of surface can comprise solidification of the entire oil layer or at least a portion of the oil layer.
  • a freeze tunnel has a first longitudinal half and a second longitudinal half extending the length of the freeze tunnel.
  • the freeze tunnel comprises a transport means for moving food product through the freeze tunnel.
  • the transport means can have a portion in the first longitudinal half and a portion in the second longitudinal half of the freeze tunnel.
  • a first cooling means for reducing the temperature in the freeze tunnel can be positioned in the first longitudinal half and a second cooling means for reducing the temperature in the freeze tunnel can be positioned in the second longitudinal half.
  • the freeze tunnel can include a first air flow means for causing a first air flow pattern in the first longitudinal half and a second air flow means for causing a second air flow pattern in the second longitudinal half.
  • the first and second air flow patterns can be in rotationally opposite directions.
  • the first cooling means comprises a plurality of first cooling units that extend along a length of the freeze tunnel
  • the second cooling means comprises a plurality of second cooling units that extend along the length of the freeze tunnel.
  • the plurality of first cooling units can be positioned generally opposite the plurality of second cooling units.
  • the first air flow pattern can comprise a counter-clockwise rotation when viewed in a longitudinal direction from an entrance side of the freeze tunnel and the second air flow pattern can comprise a clockwise rotation when viewed in the longitudinal direction from the entrance side of the freeze tunnel.
  • the freeze tunnel can comprise a first cooling section, a second cooling section, and a third cooling section.
  • the first cooling section can be separated from the second cooling section by a baffle and the second cooling section can be separated from the third cooling section by a baffle.
  • the second cooling section can include a temperature adjustment means for adjusting the temperature of the second cooling section during operation of the freeze tunnel.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a novel freeze tunnel system.
  • FIG. 2 is a top view of the freeze tunnel system shown in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 3 is a side view of the freeze tunnel system shown in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the freeze tunnel system shown in FIG. 1, illustrating novel air flow patterns within the freeze tunnel and a novel configuration of cooling units.
  • FIG. 5 is a fluid flow model illustrating air flow within a novel freeze tunnel system.
  • FIG. 6 is a fluid flow model illustrating air flow within a novel freeze tunnel system and between two side walls.
  • FIG. 7 is a top, schematic view of a novel freeze tunnel system with a plurality of conveyors and a plurality of cooling sections.
  • FIG. 8 is a side, schematic view of the novel freeze tunnel system shown in FIG. 7.
  • FIGS. 1-3 illustrate various views of a freeze tunnel system 10 that has a first end 12 and a second end 14.
  • Freeze tunnel 10 is configured to receive materials, such as food product, in the first end 12, transport them the length of freeze tunnel 10, and then deliver them out the second end 14.
  • At least one conveyor 16 e.g., an endless or continuous conveyor belt
  • a cross-sectional view of freeze tunnel system 10 illustrates a conveyor 16 that extends generally along a center of the width of freeze tunnel 10.
  • conveyor 16 extends the length of freeze tunnel 10 to transport product from the first end 12 to the second end 14 (FIG. 1).
  • a first cooling unit 20 can be positioned on a first side 22 of conveyor 16 and a second cooling unit 24 can be positioned on a second side 26 of conveyor 16.
  • first and second cooling units 20, 24 are preferably not vertically aligned with conveyor 16. Instead, they are preferably spaced apart from the vertical position of conveyor 16.
  • a vertically aligned cooling unit can be positioned either above or below the conveyor belt.
  • contamination of the food product to be frozen can result in contamination of the food product to be frozen and/or contamination of the cooling system itself.
  • the cooling unit can drip or leak onto the food product as it passes below the overhead cooling system.
  • contamination of food product is very undesirable.
  • the cooling unit is only dripping water and/or vapor, which may not render the food product inedible, the freezing process of the food product can be adversely affected by the exchange of moisture from the cooling unit to the food product.
  • the cooling unit can be contaminated by oil and other debris that may fall though the conveyor belt onto the cooling unit. Such debris can adversely affect the operation of the cooling unit, reducing the cooling efficiency of the system and increasing the required downtime for cleaning the cooling unit.
  • the illustrated embodiment spaces cooling units 20, 24 apart from conveyor 16 so that they are not vertically aligned and directly above or underneath conveyor 16.
  • undesired moisture from the cooling units will not fall onto the conveyor from the cooling units, and oil and other debris (solid or liquid) will not fall through the conveyor onto the cooling units 20, 24. Instead, such debris will simply fall through the conveyor onto the floor (or other collection area) without adversely impacting the operation and function of the cooling units 20, 24.
  • first cooling unit 20 on the first side 22 of the conveyor 16 and second cooling unit 24 on the second side 26 of the conveyor 16
  • air flowing from the cooling units can be more uniformly distributed across the width of the conveyor 16 to produce a more consistent temperature across the conveyor.
  • a single cooling unit may be positioned near the conveyor.
  • the cooling unit must be positioned closer to one area or region of the conveyor than another, it is difficult to provide consistent air flow across the entire width and length of the conveyor.
  • single cooling unit systems generally produce regions that vary in temperature and air flow across the conveyor. Such variations can result in non-uniform cooling of product on the conveyor, which may require that the entire system be cooled to a lower temperature to ensure complete cooling of product transported in the warmer zones across the conveyor.
  • the energy required by the system is greatly impacted by the temperature of the cooling medium, it is not very efficient to require cooling units to operate at lower temperatures to account for inconsistent cooling distributions in the freeze tunnel. Accordingly, it is desirable to improve the air flow patterns so that there are fewer variations in temperatures and air flow across the width of the conveyor.
  • baffles such as perforated sheet metal
  • some conventional systems employ baffles, such as perforated sheet metal, that attempt to even air flow across the belt by restricting air flow in some areas (e.g., by having smaller or fewer perforations in the baffle) and encouraging air flow in other areas (e.g., by having larger or more perforations in the baffle).
  • baffles such as perforated sheet metal
  • air flow within freeze tunnel 10 can be configured to flow in two different rotation patterns along a cross-section of freeze tunnel 10.
  • the two opposing cooling units 20, 24 cause air to circulate within freeze tunnel 10 in a first air flow pattern 40 and a second air flow pattern 42, with the first and second air flow patterns being rotationally opposite.
  • first air pattern 40 can be a generally counterclockwise flow pattern
  • second air flow pattern 42 can be a generally clockwise flow pattern.
  • a first fan 30 can be positioned on the same side as first cooling unit 20 and a second fan 32 can be positioned on the same side as second cooling unit 24.
  • First fan 30 can pull air from a central region in the freeze tunnel and direct it downwards and through first cooling unit 20.
  • second fan 32 can pull air from a central region in the freeze tunnel and direct it downwards and through second cooling unit 24.
  • Air exiting the first and second cooling units 20, 24, can meet and be directed upward through conveyor 16. After passing through conveyor 16, the air can move upward, where it is pulled towards the first side 22 or second side 26 of the conveyor by the first and second fans, 30, 32, respectively, to complete the circuit of the air flow patterns 40, 42.
  • first and second fans 30, 32 cooperate to produce rotationally opposite air flow patterns.
  • the two different air flow patterns 40, 42 can be generally separated into two areas of the freeze tunnel as viewed in a longitudinal direction (e.g., from the entrance side as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5).
  • first air flow patterns 40 is generally constrained or provided in a first longitudinal half of the freeze tunnel (e.g., the left half of the freeze tunnel as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5)
  • second air flow patterns 42 is generally constrained or provided in a second longitudinal half of the freeze tunnel (e.g., the right half of the freeze tunnel as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5).
  • An imaginary line (not shown) splitting the freeze tunnel 10 in half can be considered to be the division between the two air flow patterns.
  • some air flow will overlap between the two halves near the imaginary line splitting the freeze tunnel; however, for the most part, the two halves of the freeze tunnel can be considered to have different rotational air flow patterns.
  • conveyor 16 is also generally bisected by the imaginary line, which means that half of conveyor 16 is in the first air flow pattern 40 and the other half of conveyor 16 is in the second air flow pattern 42.
  • air from both the first and second air flow patterns 40, 42 are in different (e.g., opposite) rotational patterns, preferably air from both the first and second air flow patterns passes through the conveyor 16 moving in the same general direction.
  • air from both the first and second air flow patterns 40, 42 travels through conveyor 16 (and any product placed on conveyor 16) in the same upwards direction.
  • FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate fluid flow modeling results for freeze tunnel 10.
  • the two air flow patterns 40, 42 provide relatively uniform air flow across the width of conveyor 16.
  • Conveyor 16 comprises a top surface 16a and a bottom surface 16b.
  • Top surface 16a is configured to carry and convey the food product (or other material to be frozen).
  • the food product 19 is schematically represented in FIG. 5.
  • food product 19 can comprise various materials or items positioned on a top surface of conveyor 16, including, for example, one or more layers of loosely piled food items, such as french fries or sweet potato fries that have been cut and at least partially fried before entering freeze tunnel 10.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates another fluid flow modeling result for freeze tunnel 10.
  • FIG. 6 shows air flow velocities across the width of freeze tunnel 10.
  • a central portion 50 of freeze tunnel 10, which is where the conveyor is positioned experiences relatively uniform air flow throughout its width.
  • air flow can be between about 400 and 440 ft/min across a middle area of the freeze tunnel 10.
  • it can be even more uniform, with a range of less than about 20 ft/min across the entire width of the central portion 50 (e.g., across conveyor 16), such as is the case with a range between about 400 and 420 ft/min.
  • fans 30, 32 can be powered in the same general direction relative to conveyor 16.
  • first fan 30 when first fan 30 is directed downward, second fan 32 can also be directed downward.
  • Fans 30 and 32 are preferably not directed at each other, to reduce the amount of turbulent air flow in the rotational air flow patterns.
  • reverse rotational flow patterns such as those described above, can be achieved by directing both first fan 30 and second fan 32 in various directions, including towards conveyor 16 (i.e., in the same direction relative to the conveyor).
  • first and second fans 30, 32 are preferably powered by motors 46 that are positioned outside of the side walls 48 of freeze tunnel 10.
  • motors 46 and other heat-generating elements associated with first and second fans 30, 32
  • the efficiency of the system can be further increased.
  • FIG. 7 illustrates a top cross-sectional view of freeze tunnel 10.
  • a plurality of pairs of cooling units 20, 24 and first and second fans 30, 32 can extend the length of freeze tunnel 10.
  • arrows are shown in the cooling units to indicate the direction of air flow through the cooling unit.
  • the reverse rotational air flow patterns shown in FIG. 4 can be provided along the length of freeze tunnel 10.
  • Each of these pairs of cooling units 20, 24 and first and second fans 30, 32 can be configured to cooperate with one another.
  • each pair of cooling units and first and second fans can be positioned on opposite sides of conveyor 16 in an opposing relationship with one another.
  • freeze tunnel 10 can be configured with a plurality of cooling stages or sections.
  • freeze tunnel 10 comprises a first cooling section 60, a second cooling section 62, and a third cooling section 64.
  • First cooling section 60 can be configured as a "pre-cool" stage and the air temperature within first cooling section can be significantly higher than that of the other two sections. The lower the temperature of the cooling section, the higher the amount of energy required to maintain that temperature.
  • the pre-cool stage can comprise cooling units that are cooled to a temperature of between about 35 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit, or more preferably between about 40 and 50 degrees
  • the temperatures in the pre-cooling stage can be selected so that an outside surface of the food product is cooled to a temperature approaching the solidification point, but not below the solidification point.
  • the medium of the cooling units in the first stage is water at about 45 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • the water medium can be cooled using recycled heat that is captured from other high energy sources. Since the temperatures of the pre-cooling section are relatively high, it can be convenient to power the pre-cooling section using recovered waste energy. For example, excess heat can be captured from a large scale fryer and used to cool the water that circulates in the cooling units of the first stage.
  • Various techniques can be provided to convert the captured steam into usable energy for reducing the temperature of the cooling medium (e.g., water) in the pre-cooling section.
  • the recaptured steam energy can be used in combination with an absorption chiller that can remove heat from the cooling medium to reduce the temperature of the cooling medium.
  • the recaptured steam energy can be converted to electricity (e.g., using a steam turbine or other electricity generating source) that can then be used to reduce the temperature of the cooling medium by other conventional means.
  • ambient temperatures in most plants can vary significantly depending on time (e.g., night or day) and season (e.g., winter or summer). Accordingly, ambient temperatures are not uniform and can introduce
  • the pre-cooling stage described herein can be configured to operate at a consistent temperature that will not vary significantly depending on the time of day or season in which the operation is taking place.
  • Product can leave first cooling section 60 and enter second cooling section 62.
  • Second cooling section is preferably configured to cool the product to a temperature lower than that of first cooling section 60.
  • first cooling section 60 comprises a pre-cool section that has a temperature of about 45 degrees Fahrenheit
  • second cooling section 62 can be configured to have a temperature that is significantly lower than 45 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • product can leave second cooling section 62 and enter third cooling section 64, which is configured to cool the product to a temperature lower than that of second cooling section 62.
  • a plurality of baffle members 72 can be positioned between cooling sections to reduce the flow of air from one cooling section to an adjacent cooling section.
  • Baffle members 72 can comprise insulated wall structures that generally separate adjacent cooling sections from one another.
  • baffles 72 can be positioned between first and second cooling section 60, 62 and between second and third cooling sections 62, 64.
  • Baffles 72 can extend generally across the width of an inside area of freeze tunnel 10 and from a top portion to a lower portion to restrict air movement between the separated, adjacent sections.
  • baffles 72 extend downwards towards conveyor 16, providing enough clearance that product can pass under baffles 72 without contacting them.
  • conveyor 16 can comprise a plurality of conveyors.
  • a first conveyor 66, a second conveyor 68, and third conveyor 70 can collectively operate to transport a material from the first end 12 to the second end 14 of freeze tunnel 10.
  • baffles 72 can be positioned just after food product is transferred to the next, adjacent conveyor.
  • Multiple conveyors provide several advantages. First, they reduce the total amount of weight that any one conveyor must support. Second, the transfer of product between conveyors allows the product to be shaken or separated to prevent clumping of sticking together of product. This can be particularly useful when freezing product that contains oils (or other liquids), such as french fries or sweet potato fries that have recently been at least partially fried.
  • the product transfer or exchange between the two conveyors can comprise a change in height or drop-off that causes the product to be shaken or separated.
  • second cooling section 62 can be operated at a temperature sufficient to "set-up" the food product just before the food product is transferred from the second cooling section 62 to the third cooling section 64. "Setting-up” occurs as the oil (or other liquid) on the outside of the food product solidifies. Thus, for example, as the oil solidifies on the surface of a partially- fried food product, adjacent product will clump together.
  • the second cooling section preferably is configured to provide adequate cooling to reduce the temperature of an outside surface of the food product to a temperature that is lower than the surface oil's solidification point.
  • the location of the transfer between the second and third cooling sections 62, 64 so that the product will be transferred just as the outside surface of the product is adequately cooled and/or solidified.
  • the product can be separated, thereby reducing clumping or grouping of food product that is frozen together.
  • the physical separation and reshuffling of food pieces from each other while being transferred from one conveyor to another can help reduce the likelihood that oil on the surfaces of the individual food pieces will contact other individual food pieces and undesirably cause those food pieces to be frozen together as the food product leaves the freeze tunnel.
  • second cooling section 62 comprises an adjustable temperature control to vary the temperature in second cooling section 62.
  • the adjustable temperature control can vary the temperature of the second cooling section 62 in real time while the freeze tunnel 10 is in operation. Thus, in real time, an operator can adjust the temperature in second cooling section 62 until the "set-up" of product occurs just prior to the transfer of product from second conveyor 68 to third conveyor 70.
  • the adjustable temperature control can be, for example, a device that alters the suction pressure on the coil, thereby allowing pull more or less ammonia to be drawn into the cooling units in the second cooling section.
  • the temperature of the second cooling section in real time to account for a variation in "set-up" temperatures caused by, for example, the use of different oils on the surface of a food product, different surfaces areas or shapes caused by the type of cut, size, or shape of the food product, and different stacking densities.
  • Each of these elements, and other similar variations in the product being frozen can vary the temperature at which an outside surface of the food product will freeze or "set-up.”
  • the system can be adjusted to process various food products efficiently and without significant clumping or clustering of the product.
  • the first cooling section can be cooled to about 45 degrees Fahrenheit (as described above), second cooling section can be cooled to about 10 - 60, and more preferably 20 - 60 degrees Fahrenheit, and third cooling section can be cooled to less than about 0 degrees Fahrenheit and more preferably to less than about -20 degrees
  • the product temperature e.g., outside product temperature
  • the product temperature can be reduced to about 85 degrees Fahrenheit in the first cooling section, about 60 degrees Fahrenheit in the second cooling section, and about 10 degrees Fahrenheit in the third cooling section.
  • Product bed depth across the first, second, and third conveyors can also vary.
  • the product depth on the second conveyor 68 can desirably be less than the product depth on the first and third conveyors.
  • product depth on the first and third conveyors can be about 3-5 inches, while the product depth on the second conveyor is less than about 3 inches.
  • Various methods can be used to independently vary the product depths on the different conveyors.
  • the belt speeds of the different conveyors can be independently controlled to adjust the bed depths of each respective conveyor.
  • increasing the belt speed on a conveyor provides a shallower product depth and decreasing the belt speed on a conveyor provides a deeper product depth.
  • the first conveyor is configured to operate at a speed that provides a product depth and residence time that is sufficient to cool an outside surface of the product to a temperature approaching the solidification point of the oil on the surface of the food product.
  • the second conveyor is configured to operate at a speed that provides a product depth and residence time sufficient to cool an outside surface of the food product to a temperature below the solidification point of the oil on the surface of the food product.
  • the third conveyor is configured to operate at a speed that provides a product depth and residence time that is sufficient to freeze the product in its entirety.
  • Each conveyor can operate independently of the other conveyors so that each conveyor can operate at different speeds to accomplish the desired product depths and residence times of its respective cooling section.
  • the conveyor can comprise a plastic belt.
  • a plastic belt for each of the first, second, and third conveyors, the temperature of product stacked on the belt can be more uniform.
  • conventional metal belt systems transfer temperature readily, causing product that is in contact with the belt to be significantly colder than product that is not in contact with the belt.
  • plastic belts do not transfer temperature so easily and therefore, the temperature of product on the belt can be more uniform.
  • KVP® Straight 2" pitch belting FF620 Fluid-Flo
  • the cooling units in each stage can vary in size and structure.
  • the cooling units in the first stage are smaller than the cooling units in the second stage, which are, in turn, smaller than the cooling units in the third stage.
  • the cooling units can be configured to receive different cooling mediums.
  • water can be the cooling medium of first cooling section 60.
  • the cooling units in the second and third cooling sections can be cooled by ammonia to the desired cooling temperature, down to a temperature of about -28 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • a plurality of hoses 80 can be coupled to piping 82 for the delivery of cleaning fluids to the interior of freeze tunnel 10.
  • hoses 80 can extend into the interior of freeze tunnel and can be configured to spray cleaning fluids onto the conveyor and other areas inside the freeze tunnel that require cleaning.
  • Additional piping 84 FIG. 3 can be provided to collect cleaning fluids from the lower portion of the freeze tunnel after the freeze tunnel has been cleaned.
  • the piping 82, 84 can also be used to deliver defrosting materials to coils of the cooling units inside the freeze tunnel.
  • defrosting is to be performed, it is preferably performed before the CIP cleaning process.
  • it can be desirable to spray the desired cleaning fluids into the interior of the freeze tunnel and then heat the tunnel by delivering a high temperature fluid into coils of the cooling units.
  • the cooling units can be operated to heat the inside of the freeze tunnel.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)
  • Freezing, Cooling And Drying Of Foods (AREA)

Abstract

Selon l'invention, un tunnel de congélation peut comprendre un bande transporteuse conçue pour acheminer un produit alimentaire d'une première extrémité à une seconde extrémité. Au moins une première unité de refroidissement et au moins un premier ventilateur peuvent être positionnés sur le premier côté de la bande transporteuse, et au moins une seconde unité de refroidissement et au moins un second ventilateur peuvent être positionnés sur le second côté de la bande transporteuse. Les ventilateurs peuvent coopérer pour faire circuler de l'air à l'intérieur du tunnel de congélation dans deux sens de rotation opposés.
EP11827267.3A 2010-09-20 2011-09-16 Tunnel de congélation et procédés d'utilisation Active EP2619514B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12/886,428 US20120067066A1 (en) 2010-09-20 2010-09-20 Freeze tunnel and methods of use
PCT/US2011/051974 WO2012040057A1 (fr) 2010-09-20 2011-09-16 Tunnel de congélation et procédés d'utilisation

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2619514A1 true EP2619514A1 (fr) 2013-07-31
EP2619514A4 EP2619514A4 (fr) 2017-08-23
EP2619514B1 EP2619514B1 (fr) 2019-04-03

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP11827267.3A Active EP2619514B1 (fr) 2010-09-20 2011-09-16 Tunnel de congélation et procédés d'utilisation

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US (1) US20120067066A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP2619514B1 (fr)
AR (1) AR083056A1 (fr)
CA (1) CA2810923A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2012040057A1 (fr)

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US20120067066A1 (en) 2012-03-22
AR083056A1 (es) 2013-01-30
EP2619514B1 (fr) 2019-04-03
WO2012040057A1 (fr) 2012-03-29
EP2619514A4 (fr) 2017-08-23
CA2810923A1 (fr) 2012-03-29
WO2012040057A4 (fr) 2012-09-07

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