EP3343140B1 - Apparatus for chilling and/or freezing products - Google Patents

Apparatus for chilling and/or freezing products Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3343140B1
EP3343140B1 EP17173701.8A EP17173701A EP3343140B1 EP 3343140 B1 EP3343140 B1 EP 3343140B1 EP 17173701 A EP17173701 A EP 17173701A EP 3343140 B1 EP3343140 B1 EP 3343140B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
belt
flow
zone
housing
cryogenic
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.)
Active
Application number
EP17173701.8A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
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EP3343140A1 (en
Inventor
Michael D. Newman
Stephen A. Mccormick
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.)
Linde GmbH
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Linde GmbH
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Filing date
Publication date
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Publication of EP3343140A1 publication Critical patent/EP3343140A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3343140B1 publication Critical patent/EP3343140B1/en
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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
    • F25D3/00Devices using other cold materials; Devices using cold-storage bodies
    • F25D3/10Devices using other cold materials; Devices using cold-storage bodies using liquefied gases, e.g. liquid air
    • F25D3/11Devices 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
    • 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
    • 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
    • F25D17/00Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces
    • F25D17/04Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection
    • F25D17/06Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection by forced circulation
    • 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
    • F25D2317/00Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
    • F25D2317/06Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation
    • F25D2317/063Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation with air guides
    • 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
    • F25D2500/00Problems to be solved
    • F25D2500/02Geometry problems

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a cryogenic freezer apparatus; more particularly, the present invention relates to a fluidized bed freezer.
  • the present invention further relates to a corresponding method.
  • Known cryogenic fluidized bed freezers utilize blowers to pressurize a bed of the freezer, and to provide gas flow to drive heat transfer from the product to the gas.
  • the known blowers are offset to a side of the fluidized bed zone of the freezer.
  • blowers force the gas downward, where the gas impacts and is driven across the floor of the freezer whereupon the gas then impacts a sidewall of the freezer to then be turned upward and through the fluid bed belt transporting the product.
  • baffles are positioned below the bed, but this baffle placement causes pressure drop in the freezer and therefore, more power is required to drive the blowers to maintain acceptable heat transfer rates.
  • fluidization velocity is limited to no more than approximately 5.08 meter per second in order to prevent and at least minimize product carry-over into the blower zone when peak velocities are used.
  • an object of the present invention is to overcome the limitations and problems that prior art apparatuses and methods have experienced.
  • a cryogenic fluidized bed freezer with gas flow path namely a cryogenic freezer apparatus which includes a housing; a fluidized bed belt movable within the housing; a shroud positioned within the housing for providing a zone above the belt, the shroud angled outward from the belt within the housing; and at least one blower configured to direct a flow of a cryogenic gas from the at least one blower to an underside of the belt and positioned within the housing in fluid communication with the zone and centrally located above the zone and the shroud, wherein there is a divider configured to divide the flow of the cryogenic gas at the underside of the belt before moving the flow through the belt.
  • Another advantageous embodiment of the apparatus may include the belt comprising a first width within the housing, and the zone may comprise a second width within the housing greater than the first width.
  • Another expedient embodiment of the apparatus may include the second width being twice as wide as the first width.
  • Another favoured embodiment of the apparatus may include the shroud angled outward fifteen degrees from the belt.
  • the apparatus includes a divider, in particular a belt divider, positioned below the belt for guiding gas flow to the belt.
  • Another advantageous embodiment of the apparatus may include the housing comprising an inner surface having a construction which may direct gas flow within the housing to an underside of the belt.
  • a method of moving cryogenic gas to a fluldized bed belt in a cryogenic freezer apparatus which includes shrouding a zone within the freezer having a first pressure above the belt; positioning at least one blower centrally located above the zone and the belt; directing a flow of cryogenic gas from the at least one blower to an underside of the belt at a second pressure greater than the first pressure; and moving the flow of cryogenic gas through the belt into the zone, wherein there is a dividing of the flow of the cryogenic gas at the underside of the belt by a divider before moving the flow through the belt.
  • Another expedient embodiment of the method may further include reducing a velocity of the flow upon the flow entering into the zone from the belt.
  • Another favoured embodiment of the method may further include comprising angling outward the flow upon entry into the zone for the reducing of the velocity of the flow.
  • Another preferred embodiment of the method further may include directing the flow of cryogenic gas with an interior surface of the freezer toward the underside of the belt.
  • Another expedient embodiment of the method may include the moving of the flow of the cryogenic gas through the belt being at a substantially constant velocity throughout a length and the width of the belt.
  • the apparatus according to the present invention as well as the method according to the present invention may be used to chill and/or to freeze at least one food product.
  • FIG. 1 An improved flow pattern can be seen in the attached schematic of FIG. 1 for the present cryogenic fluidized bed freezer apparatus 10 that will provide a more even and uniform gas flow and velocity to the bed by placing the blowers centered and directly above the fluid bed zone.
  • Such an arrangement provides higher fluid bed velocities in the bed by doubling cross-sectional area above the fluid bed zone and therefore, reducing by one half a velocity in the zone which will prevent product carry-over, prevent lower pressure drop throughout the system and thereby reduce specific blower power and improve system efficiency.
  • the cryogenic fluidized bed freezer 10 of the present embodiments includes a housing 12, a fluidized bed belt 14 with a width BW, and a shroud 16 attached above the belt 14 that angles outward 17 at fifteen degrees on both sides of the belt 14 to a width of 2 ⁇ BW in order to provide a zone 18 above the belt 14 wherein a velocity of one-half that of the velocity through the fluidized bed belt 14 is achieved in order to prevent carry-over of a product, in particular of a food product, into the blower area.
  • Blowers 20 are mounted centrally above the fluidized bed shroud 16, so that half of the flow generated is sent to each side of the fluidized bed providing a substantially constant velocity throughout the bed length and width.
  • An inner surface 13 of the housing 12 also directs the gas flow 22 to an underside 24 of the belt 14.
  • a belt divider 26 and gas flow guide 28 are mounted below the fluid bed belt 14 to provide uniform and constant gas flow and velocity across the fluid bed zone.

Landscapes

  • 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)

Description

  • The present invention relates to a cryogenic freezer apparatus; more particularly, the present invention relates to a fluidized bed freezer. The present invention further relates to a corresponding method.
  • In this context, reference is made to the prior art documents EP 2 269 474 A2 , FR 2 979 421 A1 , GB 1 515 509 and US 4,229,947 , which disclose cryogenic freezer apparatuses.
  • Technological background of the present invention
  • Known cryogenic fluidized bed freezers utilize blowers to pressurize a bed of the freezer, and to provide gas flow to drive heat transfer from the product to the gas. The known blowers are offset to a side of the fluidized bed zone of the freezer.
  • The blowers force the gas downward, where the gas impacts and is driven across the floor of the freezer whereupon the gas then impacts a sidewall of the freezer to then be turned upward and through the fluid bed belt transporting the product.
  • Unfortunately, the plurality of turns that the gas is required to make causes the gas flow and therefore the gas velocity to vary dramatically throughout the fluid bed belt length and width. In order to reduce this variation, baffles are positioned below the bed, but this baffle placement causes pressure drop in the freezer and therefore, more power is required to drive the blowers to maintain acceptable heat transfer rates.
  • An additional problem is that fluidization velocity is limited to no more than approximately 5.08 meter per second in order to prevent and at least minimize product carry-over into the blower zone when peak velocities are used.
  • Disclosure of the present invention: object, solution, advantages
  • Starting from the disadvantages and shortcomings as described above as well as taking the prior art as discussed into account, an object of the present invention is to overcome the limitations and problems that prior art apparatuses and methods have experienced.
  • The present invention is disclosed in the independent claims 1 and 8. Further embodiments of the present invention are disclosed in the respective dependent claims.
  • There is provided a cryogenic fluidized bed freezer with gas flow path, namely a cryogenic freezer apparatus which includes a housing; a fluidized bed belt movable within the housing; a shroud positioned within the housing for providing a zone above the belt, the shroud angled outward from the belt within the housing; and at least one blower configured to direct a flow of a cryogenic gas from the at least one blower to an underside of the belt and positioned within the housing in fluid communication with the zone and centrally located above the zone and the shroud, wherein there is a divider configured to divide the flow of the cryogenic gas at the underside of the belt before moving the flow through the belt.
  • Another advantageous embodiment of the apparatus may include the belt comprising a first width within the housing, and the zone may comprise a second width within the housing greater than the first width. Another expedient embodiment of the apparatus may include the second width being twice as wide as the first width.
  • Another favoured embodiment of the apparatus may include the shroud angled outward fifteen degrees from the belt.
  • According to the present invention, the apparatus includes a divider, in particular a belt divider, positioned below the belt for guiding gas flow to the belt.
  • Another advantageous embodiment of the apparatus may include the housing comprising an inner surface having a construction which may direct gas flow within the housing to an underside of the belt.
  • There is also provided a method of moving cryogenic gas to a fluldized bed belt in a cryogenic freezer apparatus according to the independent claim 1, which includes shrouding a zone within the freezer having a first pressure above the belt; positioning at least one blower centrally located above the zone and the belt; directing a flow of cryogenic gas from the at least one blower to an underside of the belt at a second pressure greater than the first pressure; and moving the flow of cryogenic gas through the belt into the zone, wherein there is a dividing of the flow of the cryogenic gas at the underside of the belt by a divider before moving the flow through the belt.
  • Another expedient embodiment of the method may further include reducing a velocity of the flow upon the flow entering into the zone from the belt.
  • Another favoured embodiment of the method may further include comprising angling outward the flow upon entry into the zone for the reducing of the velocity of the flow.
  • Another preferred embodiment of the method further may include directing the flow of cryogenic gas with an interior surface of the freezer toward the underside of the belt.
  • Another expedient embodiment of the method may include the moving of the flow of the cryogenic gas through the belt being at a substantially constant velocity throughout a length and the width of the belt.
  • The apparatus according to the present invention as well as the method according to the present invention may be used to chill and/or to freeze at least one food product.
  • Brief description of the drawings
  • For a more complete understanding of the present embodiments reference may be made to the claims dependent on claim 1 as well as on claim 8. Further improvements, features and advantages of the present invention are explained below in more details with reference to a particular and a preferred embodiment by way of a non-limiting example and with reference to the appended figure taken in conjunction with the following description of an exemplary embodiment.
    • FIG. 1 shows a cryogenic fluidized bed freezer with a gas flow path being an embodiment of the present invention, said embodiment functioning according to the method of the present invention.
  • The accompanying drawing is included to provide a further understanding of the apparatus and method(s) provided herein and is incorporated in and constitutes a part of this specification. The drawing illustrates an embodiment of the apparatus and method(s) provided herein and, together with the description, serves to explain the principles described herein but is not intended to limit the invention or any of the claims.
  • Detailed description of the drawing, best way of embodying the present invention
  • Before explaining the present inventive embodiment in detail, it is to be understood that the embodiment is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawing.
  • Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.
  • In the following description, terms such as horizontal, upright, vertical, above, below, beneath and the like, are used solely for the purpose of clarity illustrating the present invention and should not be taken as words of limitation. The drawing is for the purpose of illustrating the present invention.
  • An improved flow pattern can be seen in the attached schematic of FIG. 1 for the present cryogenic fluidized bed freezer apparatus 10 that will provide a more even and uniform gas flow and velocity to the bed by placing the blowers centered and directly above the fluid bed zone.
  • Such an arrangement provides higher fluid bed velocities in the bed by doubling cross-sectional area above the fluid bed zone and therefore, reducing by one half a velocity in the zone which will prevent product carry-over, prevent lower pressure drop throughout the system and thereby reduce specific blower power and improve system efficiency.
  • The cryogenic fluidized bed freezer 10 of the present embodiments includes a housing 12, a fluidized bed belt 14 with a width BW, and a shroud 16 attached above the belt 14 that angles outward 17 at fifteen degrees on both sides of the belt 14 to a width of 2 × BW in order to provide a zone 18 above the belt 14 wherein a velocity of one-half that of the velocity through the fluidized bed belt 14 is achieved in order to prevent carry-over of a product, in particular of a food product, into the blower area.
  • Blowers 20 are mounted centrally above the fluidized bed shroud 16, so that half of the flow generated is sent to each side of the fluidized bed providing a substantially constant velocity throughout the bed length and width. An inner surface 13 of the housing 12 also directs the gas flow 22 to an underside 24 of the belt 14.
  • A belt divider 26 and gas flow guide 28 are mounted below the fluid bed belt 14 to provide uniform and constant gas flow and velocity across the fluid bed zone.
  • It will be understood that the embodiments described herein are merely exemplary.
  • All variations and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as described in the following claims.
  • List of reference signs
  • 10
    cryogenic freezer apparatus
    12
    housing
    13
    inner surface of housing 12
    14
    fluidized bed belt
    16
    shroud
    17
    outward angle of belt 14
    18
    zone above belt 14
    20
    blower
    22
    flow of cryogenic gas
    24
    underside of belt 14
    26
    divider, in particular belt divider
    28
    gas flow guide
    30
    motor
    BW
    first width, in particular first width within housing 12, namely the width of belt 14

Claims (13)

  1. A cryogenic freezer apparatus (10), comprising:
    - a housing (12);
    - a fluidized bed belt (14) movable within the housing (12);
    - a shroud (16) positioned within the housing (12) for providing a zone (18) above the belt (14), the shroud (16) angled outward (17) from the belt (14) within the housing (12); and
    - at least one blower (20) configured to direct a flow (22) of a cryogenic gas to an underside (24) of the belt (14) and positioned within the housing (12) in fluid communication with the zone (18) and centrally located above the zone (18) and the shroud (16),
    characterized by
    a divider (26) positioned below the belt (14) and configured to divide the flow (22) of the cryogenic gas at the underside (24) of the belt (14) before moving the flow (22) through the belt (14).
  2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the belt (14) comprises a first width (BW) within the housing (12), and the zone (18) comprises a second width within the housing (12) greater than the first width (BW).
  3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second width is about twice as wide as the first width (BW).
  4. The apparatus according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the shroud (16) is angled outward (17) about fifteen degrees from the belt (14).
  5. The apparatus according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the divider (26) is a belt divider.
  6. The apparatus according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the housing (12) comprises an inner surface (13) having a construction which directs gas flow (22) within the housing (12) to an underside (24) of the belt (14).
  7. The apparatus according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least one food product is chilled and/or frozen inside the cryogenic freezer apparatus (10).
  8. A method of moving cryogenic gas to a fluidized bed belt (14) in a cryogenic freezer apparatus (10) according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, comprising:
    - shrouding (16) a zone (18) within the freezer (10) having a first pressure above the belt (14);
    - positioning at least one blower (20) centrally located above the zone (18) and the belt (14);
    - directing a flow (22) of the cryogenic gas from the at least one blower (20) to an underside (24) of the belt (14) at a second pressure greater than the first pressure; and
    - moving the flow (22) of cryogenic gas through the belt (14) into the zone (18),
    characterized by
    dividing the flow (22) of the cryogenic gas at the underside (24) of the belt (14) by a divider (26) before moving the flow (22) through the belt (14).
  9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising reducing a velocity of the flow (22) upon the flow (22) entering into the zone (18) from the belt (14).
  10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising angling outward (17) the flow (22) upon entry into the zone (18) for the reducing of the velocity of the flow (22).
  11. The method according to at least one of claims 8 to 10, further comprising directing the flow (22) of the cryogenic gas with an interior surface (13) of the freezer (10) toward the underside (24) of the belt (14).
  12. The method according to at least one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the moving of the flow (22) of the cryogenic gas through the belt (14) is at a substantially constant velocity throughout a length and the width (BW) of the belt (14).
  13. The method according to at least one of claims 8 to 12, wherein at least one food product is chilled and/or frozen inside the cryogenic freezer apparatus (10) according to at least one of claims 1 to
EP17173701.8A 2016-12-28 2017-05-31 Apparatus for chilling and/or freezing products Active EP3343140B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201662439537P 2016-12-28 2016-12-28

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3343140A1 EP3343140A1 (en) 2018-07-04
EP3343140B1 true EP3343140B1 (en) 2022-03-02

Family

ID=58873738

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP17173701.8A Active EP3343140B1 (en) 2016-12-28 2017-05-31 Apparatus for chilling and/or freezing products

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3343140B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2018125688A1 (en)

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1515509A (en) * 1975-07-24 1978-06-28 Jowitt R Quick freezing of foods
US4229947A (en) * 1979-08-06 1980-10-28 Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. Cryogenic freezer
US5444985A (en) * 1994-05-13 1995-08-29 Liquid Carbonic Corporation Cryogenic tunnel freezer
US20100319365A1 (en) * 2007-11-27 2010-12-23 Newman Michael D Cross flow tunnel freezer system
US20110000231A1 (en) * 2009-07-01 2011-01-06 Mccormick Stephen A Method and apparatus for ultrasonic freezing
FR2979421B1 (en) * 2011-08-30 2013-09-27 Air Liquide METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CRYOGENIC COOLING OF PRODUCTS IN A TUNNEL
US9644883B2 (en) * 2012-10-04 2017-05-09 GEA Refrigeration Canada, Inc Fluidized bed conveyor belt freezer system
US8904811B2 (en) * 2012-11-15 2014-12-09 Linde Aktiengesellschaft Baffle controlled oscillating flow freezer

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
None *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2018125688A1 (en) 2018-07-05
EP3343140A1 (en) 2018-07-04

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