While manufacturers can take different routes when freezing a product, the end-game has always been creating a flawless result that customers will come back to. As such, freezing and chilling technology providers look at ways that will increase productivity and efficiency, but also reduce costs – preferably, in a significant manner.
Emerging technologies and customer expectations for safe, hygienic solutions in food production have consistently pushed FPS Food Process Solutions to go over and beyond. FPS’ recirculating Clean-in-Place (CIP) systems with pasteurization mitigate the risk of contamination before packaging. Furthermore, the company’s Spiral Immersion SystemTM (SISTM) can cook, chill, and freeze products within sealed vacuum bags to ensure no exposure to the environment throughout the processing cycle. FPS explores innovative technologies to meet customer needs, and among these innovations are the first of its kind, 1.8m Spiral Freezer and the Spiral Immersion SystemTM (SISTM). In collaboration with Intralox, FPS developed the 1.8m wide belt spiral freezer to match larger processing lines. For food processors, this is a critical factor in being able to produce higher output. The SISTM was developed to not only produce better quality food products but could also save on cost, time, and energy. Additionally, FPS uses mechanical freezing, which is a system where the air is passed through a tube and fin evaporator inside the equipment.
Refrigerants such as ammonia, freon, or CO2 can be used depending on customer preference, explains Greg Sheridan, sales manager, FPS. “We especially circuit each evaporator to the required refrigeration load to maximize efficiency. Various methods of feeding the refrigerant are utilized depending on application and temperature requirements as well as overall refrigeration plant design. We can use recirculated systems in the bottom or top-fed liquid, flooded systems, and direct expansion. We discuss the various options with our customer and refrigeration contractor to ensure they know the operational requirements and efficiency of each system.” When it comes to improving performance and efficiency, the ability to condition the product appropriately in the most efficient process is the company’s goal. “We look at each application to determine which type of freezing equipment is right for the job. All of our equipment is designed to provide even airflow at optimum velocity across all product zones. This ensures we remove heat consistently for all belt widths and freezer sizes, to give consistent output and quality. We design the equipment to minimize airflow restriction through product zones, internal structure, and through the coil and fan assemblies. Using external motors, plug fans, eliminating coil defrost louvers, and using square tube patterns in our coils all contribute to substantial reductions in energy. Reducing restrictions while ensuring airflow across all product zones power consumption. Freezing faster reduces yield loss improving product quality and improves throughput. Reduced freezer power consumption reduces energy costs and reduces the refrigeration power which offers further energy savings.”
Each freezer is custom engineered and built to specific customer site requirements. This allows FPS to tailor the delivery to facilitate the installation appropriate to each site and to match up with existing equipment.
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