WO2018125688A1 - Cryogenic fluidized bed freezer with gas flow path - Google Patents

Cryogenic fluidized bed freezer with gas flow path Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2018125688A1
WO2018125688A1 PCT/US2017/067476 US2017067476W WO2018125688A1 WO 2018125688 A1 WO2018125688 A1 WO 2018125688A1 US 2017067476 W US2017067476 W US 2017067476W WO 2018125688 A1 WO2018125688 A1 WO 2018125688A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
belt
flow
housing
zone
width
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.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2017/067476
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Michael D. Newman
Stephen 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
Original Assignee
Linde GmbH
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 Linde GmbH filed Critical Linde GmbH
Publication of WO2018125688A1 publication Critical patent/WO2018125688A1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • 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
    • 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
    • F25D13/00—Stationary devices, e.g. cold-rooms
    • F25D13/06—Stationary devices, e.g. cold-rooms with conveyors carrying articles to be cooled through the cooling space
    • 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
    • F25D17/00—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces
    • F25D17/04—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection
    • F25D17/06—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection by forced circulation
    • 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
    • F25D2317/00—Details 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
    • F25D2317/06—Details 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
    • F25D2317/063—Details 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
    • 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
    • F25D2500/00—Problems to be solved
    • F25D2500/02—Geometry problems

Definitions

  • the present embodiments relate to fluid ized bed freezers for food products.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • a cryogenic freezer apparatus embodiment 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 a least one blower positioned within the housing in fluid communication with the zone and centrally located above the zone and the shroud.
  • a method embodiment of moving cryogenic gas to a fluidized bed belt in a freezer 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.
  • FIG. 1 The Figure shows a cryogenic fluidized bed freezer with gas flow path embodiment of the present invention.
  • An improved flow pattern can be seen in the attached schematic of the Figure for the present cryogenic fluidized bed freezer apparatus embodiment 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 (1/2) 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 improving 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") of 1 x BW, and a shroud 16 attached above the belt that angles outward 17 at fifteen degrees (15°) on both sides of the belt to a width of 2 x BW in order to provide a zone 18 above the belt wherein a velocity of one-half (1 ⁇ 2) that of the velocity through the fluidized bed belt in order to prevent carry-over of food product into the blower area.
  • BW width
  • shroud 16 attached above the belt that angles outward 17 at fifteen degrees (15°) on both sides of the belt to a width of 2 x BW in order to provide a zone 18 above the belt wherein a velocity of one-half (1 ⁇ 2) that of the velocity through the fluidized bed belt in order to prevent carry-over of 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 22 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.
  • Another embodiment of the apparatus includes the belt comprising a first width within the housing, and the zone comprises a second width within the housing greater than the first width.
  • Another embodiment of the apparatus includes the second width is twice as wide as the first width.
  • Another embodiment of the apparatus includes the shroud angled outward fifteen degrees (15°) from the belt.
  • Another embodiment of the apparatus further includes a divider positioned below the belt for guiding gas flow to the belt.
  • Another embodiment of the apparatus includes the housing comprising an inner surface having a construction which directs gas flow within the housing to an underside of the belt.
  • Another embodiment of the method further includes reducing a velocity of the flow upon the flow entering into the zone from the belt.
  • Another embodiment of the method further includes comprising angling outward the flow upon entry into the zone for the reducing of the velocity of the flow.
  • Another embodiment of the method further includes directing the flow of cryogenic gas with an interior surface of the freezer toward the underside of the belt.
  • Another embodiment of the method further includes dividing the flow of the cryogenic gas at the underside of the belt before moving the flow through the belt.
  • Another embodiment of the method includes the moving the flow of the cryogenic gas through the belt is at a substantially constant velocity throughout a length and width of the belt.

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)

Abstract

A cryogenic freezer apparatus is provided 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 a least one blower positioned within the housing in fluid communication with the zone and centrally located above the zone and the shroud. A related method is also provided.

Description

SPECIFICATION
TITLE: CRYOGENIC FLUIDIZED BED FREEZER WITH GAS FLOW PATH
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present embodiments relate to fluid ized bed freezers for food products.
[0002] 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.
[0003] An additional problem is that fluidization velocity is limited to no more than approximately 1000 feet per minute (lOOOVmin.) in order to prevent and at least minimize product carry-over into the blower zone when peak velocities are used. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] There is provided herein a cryogenic freezer apparatus embodiment 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 a least one blower positioned within the housing in fluid communication with the zone and centrally located above the zone and the shroud.
[0005] There is also provided herein a method embodiment of moving cryogenic gas to a fluidized bed belt in a freezer 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.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference may be had to the following description of exemplary embodiments considered in connection with the accompanying drawing Figure, of which:
[0007] The Figure shows a cryogenic fluidized bed freezer with gas flow path embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Before explaining the inventive embodiments in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, if any, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.
[0009] In the following description, terms such as a horizontal, upright, vertical, above, below, beneath and the like, are to be used solely for the purpose of clarity illustrating the invention and should not be taken as words of limitation. The drawings are for the purpose of illustrating the invention and are not intended to be to scale.
[0010] An improved flow pattern can be seen in the attached schematic of the Figure for the present cryogenic fluidized bed freezer apparatus embodiment 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 (1/2) 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 improving system efficiency.
[0011] The cryogenic fluidized bed freezer 10 of the present embodiments includes a housing 12, a fluidized bed belt 14 with a width ("BW") of 1 x BW, and a shroud 16 attached above the belt that angles outward 17 at fifteen degrees (15°) on both sides of the belt to a width of 2 x BW in order to provide a zone 18 above the belt wherein a velocity of one-half (½) that of the velocity through the fluidized bed belt in order to prevent carry-over of food product into the blower area.
[0012] 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 22 of the housing 12 also directs the gas flow 22 to an underside 24 of the belt 14.
[0013] 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.
[0014] Another embodiment of the apparatus includes the belt comprising a first width within the housing, and the zone comprises a second width within the housing greater than the first width.
[0015] Another embodiment of the apparatus includes the second width is twice as wide as the first width.
[0016] Another embodiment of the apparatus includes the shroud angled outward fifteen degrees (15°) from the belt.
[0017] Another embodiment of the apparatus further includes a divider positioned below the belt for guiding gas flow to the belt. [0018] Another embodiment of the apparatus includes the housing comprising an inner surface having a construction which directs gas flow within the housing to an underside of the belt.
[0019] Another embodiment of the method further includes reducing a velocity of the flow upon the flow entering into the zone from the belt.
[0020] Another embodiment of the method further includes comprising angling outward the flow upon entry into the zone for the reducing of the velocity of the flow.
[0021] Another embodiment of the method further includes directing the flow of cryogenic gas with an interior surface of the freezer toward the underside of the belt.
[0022] Another embodiment of the method further includes dividing the flow of the cryogenic gas at the underside of the belt before moving the flow through the belt.
[0023] Another embodiment of the method includes the moving the flow of the cryogenic gas through the belt is at a substantially constant velocity throughout a length and width of the belt.
[0024] It will be understood that the embodiments described herein are merely exemplary, and that a person skilled in the art may make variations and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All such variations and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as described and claimed herein. It should be understood that the embodiments described above are not only in the alternative, but can be combined.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:
1. A cryogenic freezer apparatus, comprising: 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 a least one blower positioned within the housing in fluid communication with the zone and centrally located above the zone and the shroud.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the belt comprises a first width within the housing, and the zone comprises a second width within the housing greater than the first width.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the second width is twice as wide as the first width.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the shroud is angled outward fifteen degrees (15°) from the belt.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a divider positioned below the belt for guiding gas flow to the belt.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises an inner surface having a construction which directs gas flow within the housing to an underside of the belt.
7. A method of moving cryogenic gas to a fluidized bed belt in a freezer, comprising: 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.
8. The method of claim 7, further comprising reducing a velocity of the flow upon the flow entering into the zone from the belt.
9. The method of claim 8, further comprising angling outward the flow upon entry into the zone for the reducing of the velocity of the flow.
10. The method of claim 7, further comprising directing the flow of cryogenic gas with an interior surface of the freezer toward the underside of the belt.
11. The method of claim 7, further comprising dividing the flow of the cryogenic gas at the underside of the belt before moving the flow through the belt.
12. The method of claim 7, wherein the moving the flow of the cryogenic gas through the belt is at a substantially constant velocity throughout a Iength and width of the belt.
PCT/US2017/067476 2016-12-28 2017-12-20 Cryogenic fluidized bed freezer with gas flow path Ceased WO2018125688A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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US201662439537P 2016-12-28 2016-12-28
US62/439,537 2016-12-28

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN121898075A (en) * 2026-03-25 2026-04-21 福建圣农食品有限公司 Quick cooling freezer of meat chicken

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
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
US20140096543A1 (en) * 2012-10-04 2014-04-10 GEA Refrigeration Canada, Inc. Fluidized Bed Conveyor Belt Freezer System
US20140130525A1 (en) * 2012-11-15 2014-05-15 Michael D. Newman Baffle controlled oscillating flow freezer

Family Cites Families (3)

* 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
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

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
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
US20140096543A1 (en) * 2012-10-04 2014-04-10 GEA Refrigeration Canada, Inc. Fluidized Bed Conveyor Belt Freezer System
US20140130525A1 (en) * 2012-11-15 2014-05-15 Michael D. Newman Baffle controlled oscillating flow freezer

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN121898075A (en) * 2026-03-25 2026-04-21 福建圣农食品有限公司 Quick cooling freezer of meat chicken

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Publication number Publication date
EP3343140B1 (en) 2022-03-02
EP3343140A1 (en) 2018-07-04

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