| Cryogenic freezing and cooling of foodstuffs using liquid nitrogen and carbon dioxide is a well-established technology that has been enhancing food processing for many years now.
This technology relies on the extreme cold of cryogenic gases
(-196°C in the case of liquid nitrogen) and vaporization of the liquid gas when it comes in contact with a foodstuff. In the case of liquid carbon dioxide, snow is formed when the liquid expands, and this snow is then vaporized on the product.
At Linde, we have been actively involved in cryogenic freezing and cooling developments over the years and have created numerous different freezers for the most varied of applications. Modern freezer designs incorporate the latest control programs to increase efficiency, at the same time meeting the highest hygiene standards of the industry.
Services tailored to the food industry
Test Centers
In order to provide a full service to the food industry, we believe it is important to give our customers and potential customers an opportunity to evaluate our equipment for themselves. We do this at our state-of-the-art Test Centers by simulating production conditions. Our test facilities back up our theoretical calculations by providing proof-of-concept demonstrations, illustrating the vast possibilities of cryogenic freezing and cooling. Linde Test Centers are available in most regions of the world and we would be delighted to arrange a trial for you.
Engineering Facilities
Wherever you find Linde, you’ll also find dedicated application engineers trained to support every aspect of a cryogenic freezing installation, from the gas storage tank to the freezer. Installation drawings often facilitate liaison with plant engineers to ensure trouble free installation. And our service doesn’t stop with installation – once the equipment is in operation, our engineers will check the entire system at regular intervals to ensure that everything is in optimum working order.
Benefits of our cryogenic freezers:
- Fast in-line freezing and cooling, thus preserving flavor
- Higher quality of the frozen product compared with slower methods
- Reduced drip loss on defrosting
- Less dehydration resulting in a higher yield
- Lower space requirements
- Different types of freezers available to suit the requirements of different foodstuffs
Equipment Benefits:
- Most equipment delivered “ready to run”
- Only a few days generally needed to install equipment
- "Most standard equipment available "off the shelf"
- Standard equipment is available for rent or sale in most countries
- Low maintenance design
- The equipment is easy to use and requires no special knowledge
- Training for key staff given on start up
Freezer selector
This is a basic guide to help you select the right freezer for your products. It is not exhaustive and does not show all the different types of freezers available. For more information please contact your local Linde office.
| Freezer Type | Cryoline XL (LM) | Cryoline SC | Cryoline CS | Cryoline CM | Cryoline CF |
| Meat &Meat Products | ***** | **** | **** | ** | *** |
| Fish & Seafood | ***** | **** | *** | *** | **** |
| Fruit & Vegetables | *** | * | *** | *** | ** |
| Bakery Products | *** | ** | **** | - | *** |
| Ready Meals | **** | ** | ***** | - | **** |
| Dairy Products | *** | *** | *** | - | **** |
***** Suitable for nearly all applications
**** Suitable for most applications
*** Often used in this segment
** Suitable for some applications
* Suitable for a limited number of applications
The Cryoline range of freezers:
Cryoline XL and LM Tunnel freezers
Tunnel freezers are the most popular and versatile freezers in the Cryoline range. These in-line tunnels can be fed mechanically or manually, with the out-feed on the same level and in the same direction as the in-feed. Cryoline LM is designed for smaller volumes, ranging from 100 Kg/h up to 300 Kg/h or more depending on the product to be frozen, the in-feed temperature and the required final temperature. The LM provides a low cost solution for freezing small-scale quantities.
Cryoline XL has a modular design, expanding from a basic 6m unit to an 18m unit by adding 3m modules. This highly versatile tunnel can process up to several tons per hour.
Tunnel freezers can be used for a great variety of products across all main food categories.
 Freezer Selector Table (PDF, 5.6Kb)
Cryoline SC, Super-Contact Tunnel Freezer
Cryoline SC is unique to Linde. This patent-protected super contact tunnel freezer differs from other tunnel freezers in that it features a disposable film belt instead of a normal stainless steel belt. This film passes over plates which have been cooled with liquid nitrogen, giving very fast and effective freezing to the contact surface of the product. A standard liquid nitrogen spray can also be applied above the belt to cool the top surface at the same time.
This freezer is ideal for delicate products such as marinated meats, semi-liquid foodstuffs such as liquid cheese, and flat products with a large surface area. Because the belt is disposable, the freezer can be used for different products in succession without expensive cleaning delays.
Freezer Selector Table (PDF, 5.6Kb)
Cryoline CS – High-Capacity Spiral Freezer
Cryoline CS is designed to provide maximum freezing in minimum space. It uses a patented, self-stacking spiral belt and eliminates all “dead space” around this belt.
The result is a freezer with a footprint of only 2.5m x 3.4x meters that freezes up to one ton of produce per hour (depending on the type of foodstuff and temperature required). The freezer was also designed for easy cleaning and good accessibility throughout, thus meeting the rigorous hygiene demands of the food industry.
Freezer Selector Table (PDF, 5.6Kb)
The Cryoline CF Cabinet Freezer
Cabinet freezers are often chosen for batch applications. Popular deployment scenarios include bakeries and ready-meal cooling facilities.
Cryoline CF, which was launched in 2003, utilizes the latest control technology for maximum cost efficiency and process control. Like all Linde freezers, cabinet freezers are easy to maintain and clean, giving operators complete peace of mind.
Freezer Selector Table (PDF, 5.6Kb)
The Cryoline PE Pellet Freezer
Used in combination with a final freezer such as Cryoline XL, the pellet freezer utilizes a patented belt to make pellets of liquid and semi-liquid products. The pellets are formed by dosing the liquid onto the belt, which consists of shaped cavities. This belt has been immersed in liquid nitrogen at –196°C to rapidly stabilize and crust-freeze the pellets on the underside. The pellets are then ejected from this belt onto a standard belt tunnel to finish the freezing process.
Cryoline PE is ideal for sauces, soups, marinades and products to be added to ready-meals for example. The liquid to be frozen can also contain small particles.
Freezer Selector Table (PDF, 5.6Kb)
Also available from Linde:
LIX-shooter. This is a bottom injection system for mixers and other vessels where a product needs to be cooled in situ.
read more... (PDF, 85.1Kb)
Rotary Freezer. This freezer uses a rotating drum for continuous cooling or freezing of small pieces of product, such as minced meat and diced meat for pizza toppings.
Triple-Deck Freezer. The triple-deck freezer uses three belts, one on top of the other, to gently tumble the product during processing. It reduces the amount of space required, at the same time ensuring Individually Quick-Frozen (IQF) quality.
read more... (PDF, 87.6Kb)
Coating Tumbler. The coating tumbler can be used to coat prepared foods and meals with coatings and sauces.
|
