How To Choose The Right IQF Evaporator?

How to Choose the Right IQF Evaporator?

Refrigeration Capacity Requirement Consideration

Product Volume and Freezing Speed Requirements: The first step is to determine the required refrigeration capacity based on the amount of product to be frozen and the desired freezing speed. For example, in a large food processing plant that handles several tons of seafood or meat per day, an IQF evaporator with a larger refrigeration capacity is required to ensure that the product can be frozen quickly in a short period of time. In the case of small fruit and vegetable processors, the output is relatively small and the cooling capacity requirement is correspondingly lower.

Product types and characteristics: Different products have different specific heat capacity, water content and other physical characteristics, and the requirements for refrigeration capacity are also different. For example, products with high water content (e.g. strawberries) require more heat exchange during freezing, compared to products with low water content (e.g. nuts), which require a larger refrigeration capacity of the evaporator in order to achieve the same freezing speed.

Choice of evaporator type

Air-cooled vs. water-cooled: Air-cooled IQF evaporators do not require an additional cooling water system and are relatively simple to install and maintain, making them suitable for sites with limited water resources or flexible site requirements. However, its cooling efficiency may be affected by the ambient temperature. Water-cooled evaporator has higher refrigeration efficiency, especially suitable for high ambient temperature, but it needs supporting cooling water system, including cooling tower, water pump, etc., and has certain water quality requirements.

Shell and tube, plate or other special structure: shell and tube evaporator structure is simple, high reliability, suitable for a variety of refrigerants, widely used in large refrigeration systems. Plate evaporator, on the other hand, has high heat transfer coefficient, compact structure, and can realize rapid and efficient heat exchange, but the cleanliness of the medium is required to be higher. Some special structure evaporators, such as falling film evaporator, are suitable for specific product freezing, such as high viscosity liquid food.

Temperature control precision requirements

For some temperature-sensitive products, such as high-grade ice cream, special seafood, etc., high precision temperature control is required. In this case, choose an IQF evaporator that can precisely regulate the temperature, which is usually equipped with advanced temperature sensors and control systems. For example, some state-of-the-art evaporators can control the temperature within ±0.5°C, which better maintains the quality and taste of the product.

Space and Layout Limitations

Size of the site: If space is limited, a compact IQF evaporator will be required. For example, in a small food processing plant in the center of a city where space is at a premium, a compact plate evaporator may be a better choice because it takes up relatively little space while still providing sufficient cooling capacity.

Coordination with other equipment: The layout of the evaporator should take into account coordination with other equipment (e.g., conveyor belts, pre-cooling equipment, packaging equipment, etc.). It should be able to easily connect with upstream and downstream equipment to ensure a smooth product freezing process. For example, the inlet and outlet positions of the evaporator should match the height and direction of the conveyor belt to facilitate product delivery.

Energy efficiency and cost factors

Running costs: the energy consumption of the evaporator should be considered, and choosing products with high energy efficiency can reduce long-term running costs. For example, some evaporators with new refrigerants and high-efficiency compressors can reduce power consumption while ensuring refrigeration effect. It is also important to consider the cost and availability of refrigerants.

Purchase and maintenance costs: The price of different types and brands of IQF evaporators varies greatly, so the purchase cost should be considered on the basis of meeting the production requirements. In addition, evaporator maintenance costs are also important, including the cost of regular cleaning, parts replacement, etc. For example, evaporators with complex structures may require specialized personnel to maintain them, and their maintenance costs are relatively high.

Hygiene and cleaning requirements

In the food processing industry, the hygienic condition of the evaporator is directly related to product quality. It is important to choose the evaporator with smooth surface and easy to clean, such as the evaporator made of stainless steel, which is not only corrosion-resistant, but also easy to be cleaned and sterilized, in line with food hygiene standards. For some products with strict health requirements, such as baby food, evaporator cleaning and sanitation is the most important.