Importance of Quick Freeze Evaporator in Food Industry

Importance of Quick Freeze Evaporator in Food Industry

Quick-freezing evaporator is the key equipment in the process of food freezing and processing. It can quickly reduce the temperature of food, so that the food passes through the maximum ice crystal generation zone (generally - 1 ℃ - - 5 ℃) in a short period of time, thus reducing the damage of ice crystals to the food cells and maximizing the maintenance of the original quality of the food, such as taste, nutrients and appearance. This is essential to maintain the freshness and extend the shelf life of frozen food.

The working principle of quick-freezing evaporator

Refrigeration cycle: The core working principle of a quick-freeze evaporator is based on the refrigeration cycle. It mainly consists of a compressor, condenser, throttling device (e.g. expansion valve) and evaporator. The compressor compresses the low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant gas into a high-temperature, high-pressure gas that enters the condenser. In the condenser, the refrigerant exchanges heat with the outside air, releasing heat into a high-temperature, high-pressure liquid. Then, the liquid refrigerant is throttled and depressurized by a throttle device, and becomes a low-temperature and low-pressure liquid, which enters the evaporator. In the evaporator, the refrigerant absorbs the heat of the surrounding air, so that the air temperature is reduced.

Air circulation and quick-freezing process: there is a fan inside the evaporator, and the fan blows the low-temperature air to the food, so that the heat on the surface of the food is quickly taken away. The food is rapidly cooled down by the low-temperature and high-speed airflow. For example, in the production of quick-frozen dumplings, the dumplings enter the quick-frozen tunnel of the quick-frozen evaporator via a conveyor belt. The low-temperature air (e.g. - 30°C - - 40°C) generated by the evaporator is continuously circulated, and the dumplings complete the quick-frozen process in 15 - 30 minutes, with a center temperature of - 18°C or less.

Application of quick-freezing evaporators in different food processing applications

Meat processing: During the meat quick-freezing process, the quick-freezing evaporator is able to quickly lock the moisture in the meat and prevent the loss of meat juice. For example, in the quick-freezing processing of pork and beef, the chiller can quickly reduce the temperature of meat from room temperature to below - 18℃, so that the organization of meat can be better preserved, and the taste of meat after thawing is still tender with less loss of nutrients.

Aquatic processing: for fish, shrimp and other aquatic products, quick-freezing evaporator can quickly reduce its temperature, inhibit the growth of microorganisms and enzyme activity. For example, in the quick-frozen shrimp processing, the evaporator makes shrimp in a short period of time to complete the quick-frozen, to avoid the deterioration of shrimp and oxidation, to maintain the elasticity of the shrimp and fresh flavor.

Fruit and vegetable processing: in the fruit and vegetable quick-freezing, quick-freezing evaporator helps to maintain the color and nutrition of fruits and vegetables. For example, quick-frozen strawberries, through the quick-freezing evaporator of the rapid freezing, strawberries in the vitamin C and other nutrients can be better preserved, and quick-frozen strawberries after the color and lustre is bright, thawed still be able to maintain a good taste.