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WO2009032997A2 - Système et procédé d'amélioration cryogénique des congélateurs mécaniques - Google Patents

Système et procédé d'amélioration cryogénique des congélateurs mécaniques Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2009032997A2
WO2009032997A2 PCT/US2008/075363 US2008075363W WO2009032997A2 WO 2009032997 A2 WO2009032997 A2 WO 2009032997A2 US 2008075363 W US2008075363 W US 2008075363W WO 2009032997 A2 WO2009032997 A2 WO 2009032997A2
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
cryogen
freezer compartment
freezer
mechanical
exhaust
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/US2008/075363
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English (en)
Other versions
WO2009032997A3 (fr
Inventor
John Martin Girard
David Joseph King
Theodore Hall Gasteyer
John Nicholas Hryn
Raymond James Schaeffer
Gerald Kuzyk
Glenn Toyoshi Sameshima
Robert J. Chamberlain
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.)
Praxair Technology Inc
Original Assignee
Praxair Technology Inc
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 Praxair Technology Inc filed Critical Praxair Technology Inc
Priority to CN200880114688A priority Critical patent/CN101842650A/zh
Priority to CA2698262A priority patent/CA2698262A1/fr
Priority to EP08829916A priority patent/EP2191213A2/fr
Publication of WO2009032997A2 publication Critical patent/WO2009032997A2/fr
Publication of WO2009032997A3 publication Critical patent/WO2009032997A3/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • F25D16/00—Devices using a combination of a cooling mode associated with refrigerating machinery with a cooling mode not associated with refrigerating machinery
    • 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

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to refrigeration and freezing systems, and more particularly to a system and method for the cryogenic enhancement of mechanical freezers with liquid nitrogen or carbon dioxide.
  • a cryogenic freezer and a mechanical freezer are typically disposed into a single enclosure with each freezer operating independently. See for example, United States Patent Nos. 4,856,285 (Acharya et al.); 4,858,445 (Rasovich) and 5,170,631 (Lang et al).
  • the cryogen freezer is segregated from the mechanical freezer and any cryogenic vapor present in the combination freezer is used indirectly to supplement the mechanical refrigeration. Because the cryogenic vapors are used to effect cooling in an indirect manner, the cryogenic vapors and the mechanically refrigerated air are controlled and managed separately.
  • the Lang et al. prior art system uses cryogen vapor in a direct refrigeration capacity, but the cryogenic freezer is also spatially and operationally segregated from the mechanical freezer which keeps the cryogenic vapors and the mechanically refrigerated air separate. Moreover, the Lang et al. reference does not address the need to safely manage the hazardous atmosphere that arises when cryogenic vapors and mechanically refrigerated air is mixed. [0006] What is needed, therefore, is a safe and relatively low cost, integrated cryogenic enhancement to mechanical freezer systems that would combine cryogenic vapors and mechanically refrigerated air to affect the freezing of foodstuffs. The combined effect of cryogenic vapor and mechanically refrigerated air operates to increase freezer capacity and freezer performance over a pure mechanical freezer without costly modification to the mechanical freezer.
  • the present invention may be characterized as a cryogenic enhanced mechanical freezer system comprising: (i) a mechanical freezer including a conveyor disposed within a mechanical freezer compartment; (ii) an enclosure disposed around a portion of the conveyor in the mechanical freezer compartment to define a shrouded zone; (iii) a cryogen injection system adapted to directly inject cryogen into the shrouded zone; (iv) one or more temperature sensors disposed in the freezer compartment and adapted to ascertain the temperature within the mechanical freezer compartment; (v) an exhaust system having a first exhaust blower disposed proximate to the shrouded zone and adapted to evacuate cryogen vapors originating from the shrouded zone to a location outside the mechanical freezer compartment; and (vi) a freezer control system adapted to control the mechanical freezer, the exhaust system, and cryogen injection system in response to inputs from the temperature sensors and wherein the exhaust system and cryogen injection system are proportionally controlled.
  • the present invention may be characterized as a cryogenic enhanced mechanical freezer system comprising: (i) a mechanical freezer adapted for freezing food products, the mechanical freezer including a conveyor disposed within a mechanical freezer compartment; (ii) a cryogen injection system including a plurality of nozzles disposed proximate the conveyor to define one or more localized cryogen zones, the cryogen injection system adapted to inject cryogen directly at the food products within the one or more localized cryogen zones; (iii) a temperature sensor disposed in the freezer compartment to ascertain the temperature within the mechanical freezer compartment; (iv) an exhaust system having an exhaust blower adapted to evacuate cryogen vapors originating from the localized cryogen zones to a location outside the mechanical freezer compartment; and (v) a freezer control system adapted to control the mechanical freezer, the exhaust system, and cryogen injection system in response to inputs from the temperature sensor to maintain the mechanical freezer compartment at or above a prescribed temperature set point so as to not adversely affect the mechanical refrigeration capacity.
  • the invention is characterized as a method of freezing foodstuffs in a mechanical freezer comprising steps of: (i) mechanically refrigerating a freezer compartment; (ii) sensing the temperature in the freezer compartment; (iii) controllably injecting a cryogen directly into a shrouded zone in the freezer compartment proximate the foodstuffs based on the temperature of the freezer compartment to cryogenically enhance the freezing of the foodstuffs; and (iv) controllably exhausting the cryogen vapors from the shrouded zone in the freezer compartment wherein the injecting of the cryogen and exhausting of the cryogen vapors is controlled in response to the temperature in the freezer compartment to maintain the freezer compartment at or above a prescribed temperature set point so as to not adversely affect the mechanical refrigeration capacity associated with the mechanical freezer system.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the present cryogenic enhanced mechanical freezer system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a control system suitable for use with an embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the preferred door interlock scheme used in an embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 4 is a flowchart delineating the preferred steps involved in the safe operation of cryo-boost enhancement
  • FIG. 5 is a partial cut-away illustration of a cryogen injection system including a cryogen structure or enclosure defining a shrouded cryogen zone near the product exit of a mechanical tunnel freezer;
  • FIG. 6 is a partial cut-away illustration of a cryogen injection system including a cryogen structure or enclosure defining a shrouded cryogen zone over a portion of a conveyor near the top of a mechanical spiral freezer.
  • the cryogenic freezer enhancement system 10 includes a mechanical-based freezer compartment 12 having a door 14 or other means for access and egress to the interior of the freezer compartment 12.
  • the freezer compartment 12 may include various conveyors or other structures disposed therein for containing food product.
  • the freezer system 10 further includes a cryogen injection system adapted to introduce a cryogen into the freezer compartment 12 to treat the food product as well as an exhaust subsystem and a freezer control subsystem.
  • the cryogen injection subsystem preferably includes a source of cryogen 21, such as liquid nitrogen or carbon dioxide, contained within a storage vessel 23 and coupled via a cryogen circuit 24 to cryogen nozzles 25 disposed within the freezer compartment 12.
  • a plurality of valves, such as shut-off valves 26, control valves 27, safety relief valves 28, etc. are disposed along the cryogen circuit and operatively coupled to the freezer control panel 42.
  • the direct injection of the cryogen into a mechanically refrigerated freezer is an efficient and cost effective means to improve overall freezer performance relative to production capacity.
  • the refrigeration capacity of the cryogen as applied directly to the mechanically refrigerated space in the freezer compartment, works in conjunction with and boosts the mechanical refrigeration capacity.
  • the preferred process to boost the refrigeration capacity in a mechanical freezer with a cryogen, such as liquid nitrogen or carbon dioxide is designed to operate the mechanical refrigeration system at the optimum conditions to maximize efficiency, which is typically at a prescribed set point temperature.
  • the cryo-boost process is preferably operated at a temperature control point slightly warmer than the mechanical refrigeration system set point temperature. Setting the cyro-boost temperature control point slightly warmer than the mechanical refrigeration system set point temperature, the demand for injection of nitrogen or carbon dioxide into the freezer compartment 12 is controlled without adversely influencing the operation of the mechanical refrigeration system.
  • the exhaust system preferably includes a primary cryogen exhaust duct 31 and primary exhaust blower 33 adapted to collect and discharge expended cryogen vapors during the operation of the freezer.
  • the illustrated exhaust system further includes an auxiliary exhaust duct 35 and auxiliary exhaust blower 37 adapted for the rapid evacuation of the cryogen vapor and refrigerated air within the freezer compartment upon activation.
  • auxiliary exhaust Activation of the auxiliary exhaust is preferably initiated as a command from the controller in response to various user inputs or automatic safeguards programmed into the controller.
  • Additional exhaust blowers including a cold exhaust or dedicated cryogen exhaust could also be incorporated into the cryo-enhanced mechanical freezer to promptly remove cryogen vapors and reduce pressure from within the mechanical freezer compartment shortly after injection of the cryogen. Promptly removing the injected cryogen vapors reduces leakage of the vapors from the freezer compartment that may occur as a result of the higher pressure within the freezer compartment.
  • the rapid exhaust blower 37 is preferably sized to evacuate the atmosphere within the mechanical freezer compartment 12 in a few minutes, preferably less than four minutes, and replace the atmosphere with a source of make-up air.
  • a 2000 cubic foot freezer preferably employs an auxiliary exhaust blower sized at about 4000 cubic feet per minute.
  • the rapid exhaust blower When the rapid exhaust blower is activated, it would preferably run for a minimum of 2 minutes in order to achieve the 4 times volume exchange when the cryogen injection is de-activated.
  • a makeup air port 39 connected to a source of make-up air is also included as part of the exhaust subsystem for use when the rapid exhaust blower 37 is activated. Additional safety precautions may be invoked that keep one or more of the exhaust blowers operating whenever the door 14 to the freezer compartment 12 is open allowing access to the freezer compartment 12.
  • Both the primary cryogen exhaust and the auxiliary rapid exhaust are adapted to prevent most of the cryogenic vapors injected into the freezer compartment 12 from filling the process area 50 surrounding the freezer compartment 12.
  • Both the primary exhaust duct 31 and the auxiliary exhaust duct 35 carry away and vent the evacuated streams out of the freezer compartment 12 and away from the process area 50.
  • the location of the exhaust pickups for the rapid exhaust is proximate the lower pressure region of the freezer compartment 12 and often near the floor or bottom of the freezer compartment 12 as both preferred cryogens, namely nitrogen and carbon dioxide, are denser than air at temperatures near -30 0 F and tend to settle toward the bottom of the freezer.
  • a dedicated cryogen exhaust may be co-located with the cryogen injection system.
  • the freezer control subsystem preferably includes a microprocessor-based control panel 42 adapted to receive a plurality of inputs including, as a minimum, a temperature sensor input and a gas analyzer input as well as various user inputs and control the operation of the cryogen enhanced mechanical freezer system based on such inputs.
  • a temperature sensor 44 and a gas analyzer 46 are coupled as inputs to the freezer control panel 42.
  • Other inputs representing or corresponding to the freezing or refrigeration parameters are also used in the present freezer control subsystem.
  • Such other inputs may include, for example, characteristics of the cryogen used, temperature or other characteristics of the product being treated, or operational characteristics of the processing area, associated equipment and components thereof.
  • the freezer control subsystem operative Iy controls the flow of cryogen in the cryogen circuit 24 and injection of the cryogen into the freezer compartment 12 by controlling selected valves 26, 27, 28 in response to the various inputs, identified above.
  • the amount of cryogen injected into the freezer compartment 12 is based on the temperature in the freezer compartment 12, as ascertained by the temperature sensor 44, such that the efficiency of the mechanical refrigeration system is optimized.
  • This cryo-boost enhancement is preferably a user initiated or selected process that can be turned on or off depending on the refrigeration needs for the product within the freezer compartment.
  • cryogen enhancement or cryo-boost is both useful and cost-effective to achieve the desired temperature of the product.
  • the freezer control subsystem also controls the rapid exhaust and other safety features of the cryogen enhanced freezer system 10 in response to selected inputs and operating parameters.
  • cryo-boost feature is activated, cryogen injection via nozzles 25 into the freezer compartment 12 is precisely controlled based, in part, on the temperature inside the freezer compartment 12.
  • the cryo-boost enhancement process remains active until the control system or operator turns off the cryo-boost enhancement or someone attempts to enter the freezer compartment 12.
  • a rapid exhaust feature in the blower 37 is activated to purge the atmosphere inside the freezer compartment 12 within a short period of time, preferably in about four minutes or less.
  • access into the freezer compartment 12 is via the door 14 or other egress is strictly controlled.
  • the cryo-boost enhancement is activated, the doors 14 to the freezer compartment 12 are inaccessible from the outside. More specifically, access to the freezer compartment 12 from the outside is prevented by covering and securing the door handles with appropriate interlocks 48 when the atmosphere within the freezer compartment 12 is oxygen-deficient.
  • a gas analyzer 46 operatively coupled to the freezer control panel 42 and the door interlocks 48 is also provided.
  • gas analyzer is used as an input to control (e.g. stop) the rapid exhaust as well as to limit access to the freezer compartment 12 via the door 14.
  • access to the door 14 to the freezer compartment 12 remains inaccessible from the outside so long as the gas analyzer 46 indicates the presence of an oxygen- deficient atmosphere inside the freezer compartment 12.
  • the gas analyzer 46 is preferably an oxygen gas analyzer which will allow access to the freezer compartment 12 only when the cryo-boost enhancement is deactivated (i.e.
  • the gas analyzer 46 is a carbon dioxide gas analyzer which will deny access through the door 14 of the freezer compartment 12 when the cryo-boost enhancement process is activated (i.e. ON) or until the concentration of the carbon dioxide is below a safe threshold level.
  • control panel 42 is adapted to receive various inputs including, as a minimum, selected user inputs 69; temperature sensor inputs 67; and gas analyzer inputs 68.
  • the user inputs 69 represent or correspond to the freezing or refrigeration parameters such as, temperature, flow and type of cryogen, refrigeration requirements of the product being frozen etc.
  • the preferred control panel 42 is a microprocessor based control unit having adapted for receiving selected inputs and generating a series of commands or instructions 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66 to operate the cryo-boost enhancement process.
  • the control panel 42 also preferably includes appropriate user interfaces such as a display screen and operator buttons (not shown) as well as suitable data and instruction storage means.
  • the freezer control subsystem operationally controls using output commands 61,62,63,64,65,66 the primary cryogen exhaust blower 33; the rapid exhaust blower 37; a cryogen injection; the make-up air replenishment; and the interlocks 48 on the freezer doors 14 via commands or outputs from the control panel 42.
  • Control of the cryogen injection is operatively controlled by controlling the flow of cryogen 21 from the source of cryogen 23 through a cryogen circuit 24 that includes plurality of flow control and safety valves 26, 27, 28 and to nozzles 25 adapted to inject the cryogen into the freezer compartment proximate the food product to be treated.
  • Fig. 3 depicts an embodiment of the interlocks 48 used in conjunction with the above-described cryogenic enhanced mechanical freezer system.
  • a proximity switch 52 is disposed on each freezer door 14 and coupled as an input to the freezer control panel 42. The proximity switch 52 monitors the position of the freezer door 14 to the freezer compartment 12.
  • the door interlock 48 includes a stainless steel cover 53 securely attached to the freezer proximate the door handle 54 with one or more guides 55 and a retaining mechanism.
  • the cover 53 is adapted to move between a first position that shrouds the door handle 54 and a second position exposing the door handle 54.
  • the cover 53 In the unlocked position, the cover 53 easily slides, rotates or otherwise exposes the door handle 54 to allow access to the door handle 54 by a person desiring entry to the freezer compartment 12.
  • the cover 53 in the locked position, the cover 53 is retained in a position that prevents access to the door handle 54 by a person thereby preventing access or entry to the freezer compartment 12.
  • the retaining mechanism comprises a small pneumatic cylinder 56 operatively actuated by commands from the freezer control panel 42.
  • a rod 57 extends and engages the cover 53 to physically lock the cover 53 over the door handle 54 and prevent access to the freezer compartment 12.
  • the freezer control panel 42 de-energizes the pneumatic cylinder 56 and retracts the rod 57 allowing the cover 53 to move and expose the door handle 54.
  • Alternate arrangements of the door interlock utilize a magnetic latch that when energized prevents access to the freezer from the outside.
  • FIG. 4 there is shown a flowchart broadly characterizing the control logic involved in the safe operation of cryo-boost enhancement process.
  • a preliminary step in the depicted control process is to establish the operating parameters, temperature control points, and temperature set points for the freezer (Block 81). Such operating parameter setting is preferably accomplished via user inputs to the control panel of the freezer system.
  • the cryo- boost control process involves operating the mechanical freezer while selected operating conditions, namely temperatures within the freezer compartment and/or food product are monitored (Block 82). During such freezer operation, the microprocessor based control unit continually inquires whether the conditions exist for activation of the cryo-boost enhancement (Block 83).
  • cryo-boost If activation of cryo-boost is not desired, the freezer control subsystem continues to monitor operating conditions. On the other hand, if operating conditions dictate that the cryo-boost enhancement process is to be activated, the freezer control subsystem activates the door interlocks and initiates the cryo-boost process (Block 84). Upon initiation of the cryo-boost process, the cryogen exhaust is activated (Block 85) and the gas analyzer is active (Block 86).
  • the freezer control subsystem then proceeds to monitor the operating conditions of the freezer as well as control both the cryogen injection subsystem and cryogen exhaust (Block 87).
  • the microprocessor based control unit continually inquires whether the conditions exist for stopping or de-activating the cryo-boost process (Block 88). If operating conditions dictate continued operation of the cryo-boost process, the freezer control subsystem continues to monitor the operating conditions of the freezer and control the cryogen injection subsystem and cryogen exhaust (Block 87).
  • the freezer control subsystem ceases further injection of cryogen (Block 89) and if warranted, initiates the rapid exhaust (Block 99). Initiation of the quick or rapid exhaust is in response to a command from the freezer control subsystem that is based on user inputs or a prescribed set of operating conditions.
  • the freezer control subsystem continues to monitor the operating conditions of the freezer (Block 90) including appropriate temperatures and selected gas concentrations within the freezer compartment, as determined from the gas analyzer.
  • the freezer control subsystem proceeds to turn off the rapid exhaust (Block 92) if necessary, and disable the door interlocks (Block 93). At this point the freezer compartment is accessible (Block 95). The other exhaust blowers, however, may continue to operate after the door interlocks are disabled. In addition, the freezer control subsystem continues to monitor the operating conditions of the freezer (Block 82) in case further engagement of the cryo-boost process is needed. [0036] While the addition of cryogen to a mechanical freezer supplements the overall refrigeration capacity of the freezer, it also has the potential to introduce adverse or unwanted conditions.
  • cryogen introduction into a mechanical freezer is achieved with the precise control of cryogen injection system and the exhaust system to maintain the mechanical freezer compartment at or above a prescribed temperature set point and optimized pressure.
  • present control scheme is primarily concerned with controlling the cryogen injection, the cryogen exhaust, and limiting access to the freezer compartment during cryogen boost or cryogen enhancement operations, it is also contemplated that the present control scheme can be employed to concurrently control other equipment, such as transition fans, product conveyors, etc.
  • cryogen enhanced mechanical freezer systems that include a cryogen structure or enclosure defining a localized shrouded cryogen zone and a dedicated cryogen exhaust.
  • the cryogen structure or enclosure 110 is disposed over a portion of the conveyor 112 in a mechanically refrigerated tunnel freezer and preferably proximate the exit of the product conveyor 112 from the freezer compartment 120.
  • the cryogen structure or enclosure 110 defines a shrouded cryogen zone 125 where the cryogen, such as carbon dioxide or nitrogen is injected directly at the product transported on the conveyor 112 within the shrouded cryogen zone 125 by means of a cryogen injection system 130.
  • the illustrated cryogen structure or enclosure 110 defines an entrance through which product on the conveyor 112 is brought within the shrouded cryogen zone 125 and an exit through which the product on the conveyor 112 leaves the shrouded cryogen zone 125 after exposure to the cryogen.
  • the cryogen injection system 130 preferably includes a plurality of injection nozzles 132 each coupled to a cryogen manifold.
  • a source of cryogen (not shown) is supplied via conduits to the cryogen manifold.
  • the cryogen injection system 130 is preferably controlled by a micro-processor based controller (not shown) that governs the cryogen injection profiles or patterns.
  • the cryogen structure or enclosure 110 preferably includes one or more access doors 118 to facilitate periodic cleaning of the shrouded cryogen zone 125, cryogen injectors 132 and conveyor 112.
  • a cryogen exhaust arrangement Proximate to the shrouded cryogen zone 125 and preferably downstream of the cryogen structure or enclosure 110 along the conveyor 112 is a cryogen exhaust arrangement that includes an exhaust blower 140 and an exhaust housing 142.
  • This cryogen exhaust blower 140 is similar in function to the auxiliary exhaust blower discussed above, with reference to Fig. 1, and optionally includes the rapid exhaust feature that can evacuate the entire atmosphere of the freezer compartment in a matter of minutes.
  • the exhaust housing 142 is preferably configured to channel any cryogen vapors originating from within the shrouded cryogen zone 125 to the exhaust blower 140 where the cryogen vapors are promptly evacuated or removed from the mechanical freezer compartment.
  • the exhaust housing 142 is disposed proximate the conveyor 112 and preferably includes one or more access doors 144 to facilitate periodic cleaning of the interior surfaces of the exhaust housing 142 and conveyor 112.
  • the exhaust housing 142 is depicted in Fig. 5 as a separate structure from the cryogen structure or enclosure 110, it should be appreciated that the two structures and functions can be integrated into a single cryogen arrangement.
  • the illustrated embodiment preferably contemplates the cryogen injection to be applied toward the end of the product conveyor and near the exit of the mechanical freezer, such cryogen boosting of a mechanical freezer can be installed on most any part of the conveyor within the mechanical freezer.
  • FIG. 6 is a partial cut-away illustration of a cryogen injection system including a cryogen structure or enclosure defining a shrouded cryogen zone over a portion of a conveyor near the top of a mechanical spiral freezer.
  • the cryogen structure or enclosure 150 is disposed in the freezer compartment 154 over a portion of the spiral conveyor 152 and preferably near the top of the spiral conveyor 152 and the exit of the freezer compartment 154.
  • the illustrated cryogen structure or enclosure 150 is mounted on the existing support structure 158 typically found in many mechanical spiral freezers and is shown confining the space above an arcuate path of about 90 degrees along the spiral conveyor 152.
  • the cryogen structure or enclosure 150 defines a shrouded cryogen zone 155 where carbon dioxide or nitrogen is injected at the food product on the spiral conveyor 152 by means of a cryogen injection system 160.
  • the actual size and configuration of the enclosure is very much dependent of the sizing and orientation of the cryogen injection system but should not significantly affect the air flow and operation of the mechanical freezer.
  • the cryogen injection system 160 of Fig. 6 preferably includes a plurality of cryogen injection nozzles 162 each coupled to a cryogen manifold.
  • a source of cryogen (not shown) is supplied via conduits 166 to the cryogen manifold.
  • the cryogen injection system 160 is preferably controlled by a micro-processor based controller (not shown) that governs the cryogen injection profiles or patterns, including cryo-boost process activation (on), de-activation (off), cryogen injection flow rate, duration, frequency, etc.
  • the cryogen structure or enclosure 150 also includes one or more access doors 158 to facilitate periodic cleaning of the shrouded cryogen zone 155, cryogen injectors 162 and conveyor 152.
  • the cryogen boost arrangement for a mechanical spiral freezer would also include the cryogen exhaust housing and exhaust blower located near to the shrouded zone 155 and configured to evacuate any cryogen vapors originating from within the shrouded cryogen zone 155 from the mechanical spiral freezer compartment.
  • cryogen injection is preferably controlled by means of the controller to cause intermittent flow of the cryogen through the nozzles throughout the entire cryo-boost cycle.
  • the injection cycles for each of the nozzles during the cryo-boost cycle may also be staged such that cryogen is always being delivered via one or more nozzles but not all nozzles are concurrently injecting the cryogen. Since much of the cold cryogen vapors are promptly exhausted, the intermittent cycling of the cryogen minimizes or avoids over-injecting cryogen during the cryo-boost cycle.
  • Continuous cryogen injection from a single nozzle can also lead to localized over- freezing of the food product as well as damage or degradation in performance of the nozzle.
  • the on and off cycle times for cryogen injection through the nozzle or a plurality of nozzles can be periodic or aperiodic and the preferred duration of each on or off cycle as well as other injection parameters are set by the user or otherwise programmed into the micro-processor based controller.
  • FIG. 5 and 6 depict the cryogen injection system fully disposed inside the enclosures.
  • Alternative configurations of the present cryo-boost system would include an arrangement with smaller enclosures and only a portion of the cryogen injection system, such as the nozzles or the distal end of the nozzles, disposed within the enclosure.
  • Still further contemplated arrangements envision a plurality of shrouded cryogen nozzles each disposed proximate the conveyor and defining a plurality of localized cryogen zones within the mechanical freezer compartment.
  • the cold exhaust disposed proximate the cryogen injection system can also be sized to operate, when needed, as the rapid exhaust and evacuate the entire freezer atmosphere when access to the freezer compartment is desired.
  • the cold exhaust could be configured to recycle a portion of the cryogen vapors back to freezer compartment based on various temperature and command inputs. If the cold exhaust is configured to recycle a portion of the cryogen vapors back to freezer compartment, the remaining portion of the cold vapors would preferably be vented or directed to an alternative use such as cooling the external condenser of the mechanical freezer.
  • the cryogen exhaust blower or cold exhaust is preferably located at or near the cryogen injection system.
  • the refrigeration capacity supplied by the cryogen injection is applied directly to the food product within or near the shrouded cryogen zone or localized cryogen zones while the resulting cryogen vapor is subsequently exhausted by the cryogen exhaust blower.
  • controlling the speed of the cryogen exhaust blower or other such that it is proportional to or directly related to the injection rate of cryogen is preferred, it is possible to control the cryogen exhaust system independent from the control of the cryogen injection system or control the exhaust and injection subsystems based on different parameters or operating conditions. What is important is that the control of the cryogen injection system and the control of the cryogen exhaust system operate to maintain the mechanical freezer compartment at or above a prescribed temperature set point so as to not adversely affect the mechanical refrigeration capacity associated with the mechanical freezer.
  • Another important aspect of the cold exhaust system is the exhaust fan speed and exhaust gas temperature.
  • the cold exhaust whether it be a stand-alone cryogen exhaust proportionally tied to the rate of cryogen injection or a dual purpose exhaust functioning both a rapid exhaust and primary cryogen exhaust, it is important that the fan speed of the cold exhaust be sufficiently fast to prevent ice formation in the cold exhaust circuits and equipment.
  • the exhausted cryogen vapors tend to warm as they travel through the exhaust conduits and exhaust blower.
  • the design of the cold exhaust system, and in particular, the cold exhaust fan speed should ensure the temperature of the cold exhaust in the cold exhaust conduits is sufficiently low to avoid ice formation in all operating conditions.
  • the present system and method for cryogenic enhancement to mechanical freezer systems provides a safe and low cost alternative that improves the performance and efficiency of the mechanical freezer system.
  • One of the many advantages the present system and method has over prior art cryogenic enhancements to mechanical freezer systems is the disclosed safety features that prevent access or egress into the freezer compartment when the cryo-boost is activated and/or until the atmosphere within the freezer compartment is identified as safe and breathable.
  • Another safety-related advantage embodied in the present system is realized by coupling the control of the rapid exhaust to atmosphere monitoring within the freezer compartment.

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  • 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)
  • Cold Air Circulating Systems And Constructional Details In Refrigerators (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un système et un procédé d'amélioration cryogénique d'un congélateur mécanique. Le système décrit inclut un compartiment de congélateur mécanique apte à congeler des produits alimentaires sur un transporteur, un système d'injection de cryogène apte à injecter directement un cryogène dans une zone à enveloppe proche du transporteur dans le compartiment de congélateur mécanique, un système d'évacuation apte à évacuer rapidement des vapeurs de cryogène du compartiment de congélateur; et un système de commande de congélateur apte à commander de manière opérationnelle le système d'évacuation et le système d'injection de cryogène en réponse à des entrées sélectionnées afin de ne pas compromettre la capacité de réfrigération mécanique associée au congélateur mécanique. Les entrées sélectionnées peuvent inclure des entrées d'utilisateur ainsi que des entrées reçues en provenance d'un ou plusieurs capteurs de température disposés dans le compartiment de congélateur et un analyseur de gaz apte à surveiller les concentrations de gaz sélectionnés à l'intérieur du compartiment de congélateur. L'accès au compartiment de congélateur est empêché par un agencement de verrouillage de porte au cours de toute opération d'injection de cryogène et lorsque l'atmosphère dans le compartiment de congélateur n'est pas sûre selon la détermination faite par l'analyseur de gaz.
PCT/US2008/075363 2007-09-06 2008-09-05 Système et procédé d'amélioration cryogénique des congélateurs mécaniques Ceased WO2009032997A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CN200880114688A CN101842650A (zh) 2007-09-06 2008-09-05 用于对机械冷冻机低温增强的系统和方法
CA2698262A CA2698262A1 (fr) 2007-09-06 2008-09-05 Systeme et procede d'amelioration cryogenique des congelateurs mecaniques
EP08829916A EP2191213A2 (fr) 2007-09-06 2008-09-05 Système et procédé d'amélioration cryogénique des congélateurs mécaniques

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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US11/899,598 US20090064690A1 (en) 2007-09-06 2007-09-06 System and method for cryogenic enhancement to mechanical freezers
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CA2698262A1 (fr) 2009-03-12
CN101842650A (zh) 2010-09-22
WO2009032997A3 (fr) 2009-08-27
EP2191213A2 (fr) 2010-06-02

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