How an IQF (Individually Quick Freezing) Evaporator Works?

How an IQF (Individually Quick Freezing) Evaporator Works?

An IQF (Individually Quick Freezing) evaporator is a crucial component in an IQF tunnel freezer that uses rapidly flowing, cold air to freeze individual food items quickly, preserving their quality. These evaporators are designed to handle a large volume of product, preventing items like shrimp, vegetables, or berries from freezing into a solid block and maintaining their original texture, moisture, and flavor.

How it works

Heat exchange: The evaporator coil cools the air. As the refrigerant circulates inside the tubes of the evaporator, it absorbs heat from the surrounding air, causing the air to become extremely cold.

Airflow: Powerful fans, often axial flow, circulate this cold air rapidly through the freezer. The airflow is strategically directed (often from bottom to top) to fluidize the food products, ensuring each piece is frozen individually and doesn't stick together.

Rapid freezing: This high-speed, cold-air freezing process limits the formation of large ice crystals within the food's cellular structure, which is a major benefit of IQF technology.

Defrosting: IQF evaporator coils are designed for rapid and efficient defrosting, often using water or hot gas, to prevent ice buildup that could impede performance and hygiene.

Key features and benefits

Preserves quality: By freezing each item individually and rapidly, the evaporator helps food retain its natural moisture, flavor, and texture.

Prevents clumping: The directed airflow keeps small, loose items separate, creating a product that is ready to use in smaller portions without needing to be thawed and broken apart.

Hygienic design: Specialized design features, such as varying fin spacing and the use of rust-resistant materials, help prevent debris from accumulating and make the system easier to clean and maintain, which is vital for food processing.

Efficiency: The system uses energy-efficient, low-noise fans to create a smooth and fast freezing process, even for large capacities.