A freezer is one of the most crucial pieces of machinery in a facility that produces food. Typically, they keep raw materials, finished goods, and packaging parts at sub-zero temperatures. Food could not be preserved for extended periods and eaten fresh without a freezer. Also, the variety of food that could be produced would be restricted, and it would be challenging to satisfy consumer demand.
Consequently, a freezer is essential to the operation of a food manufacturing facility. Among the different kinds of freezers, spiral freezers are growing in popularity in the food manufacturing sector due to their effectiveness in quickly freezing vast quantities of food.
In this article, you can learn a lot more about this specific type of freezer to understand why its demand keeps growing in the frozen food manufacturing industry.
What is a spiral freezing system?
The frozen food industry prefers the spiral freezing system because it helps maintain the quality and texture of the products even after a long time. It helps preserve various foods depending on the frozen product type, ranging from -10 degrees to -50 degrees.
It is also very space-efficient through its self-stacking and multi-tiered belts. Additionally, they are available in different levels of customizability to be easily installed on a plant floor.
How does it work?
The spiral freezing system works under the principle of mechanical or cryogenic methods. High-velocity airflow configurations are designed to be applied on the product either vertically or horizontally. Numerous benefits like fast freezing times, less dehydration, and high food quality depend on the airflow efficiency.
Common low-temperature gases such as liquid nitrogen and carbon dioxide are used to directly apply over the food to freeze food fast and simultaneously maintain quality. Also, compared to the other freezers, it is cost-effective and easy to clean.
How is it made efficient?
Several solutions are used to improve the spiral freezers’ efficiency. Some of them are mentioned below.
Installing VSDs
When building a spiral freezer, variable speed drives (VSDs) are considered to enhance efficiency. To more precisely regulate the airflow, VSDs can be utilized to regulate the speed of the fans. As a result, temperatures are spread more uniformly, and less energy is lost. VSDs can also be used to control the flow of air through the freezer, which can help to save even more power.
Increasing the freeze time
Increasing the freezing time in a spiral freezer enables lower air velocities. As a result, there is less heat transmission to the food products, increasing the spiral freezer’s efficiency. It can hold more products if the freeze duration is extended. Better product quality will also be possible due to the extended freeze period.
Improve operating procedures to improve underuse
They are frequently underutilized yet go unnoticed. Because it isn’t being utilized to its maximum potential, operators must know how much time the freezer is sitting idle. The freezer is intended to function for a specific period but cannot do so due to underuse.
The spiral freezer’s effectiveness suffers as a result; even though it could, it no longer functions. To increase a spiral freezer’s efficiency, operating methods should be improved to reduce underuse. Spiral freezer underutilization leads to increased energy use and decreased product quality.
Thus, this is vital information on a spiral freezer. Many giant food chains are using it for hassle-free food services. So, if you are going into a frozen food manufacturing business, start with this spiral freezing system.
