Food refrigeration system and method incorporating a cryogenic heat transfer apparatus and method
US5218826A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 22, 1992 |
| Grant date | Jun 15, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 22, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA23B2/88
- WIPO fieldFood chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The present invention provides a food processing system and method for refrigerating articles of food. The food processing system includes at least two cooling stages formed by a cryogenic freezer and a hydrocooler. The cryogenic freezer receives the articles of food and transfers heat from the articles of food to the cryogen so that the articles of food are refrigerated. After the transfer of heat from the articles of food to the cryogen, the cryogen boils off to form cryogenic vapor. The hydrocooler receives the articles of food prior to the cryogenic freezer and transfers heat from the articles of food to supplied cooling water. Such heat transfer reduces the quantity of cryogen required to refrigerate the articles of food. Additionally, an eductor is connected to a pump and to vent line from the cryogenic freezer. The cooling water is pumped through the eductor to suction cryogenic vapor from the cryogenic freezer and to mix the cryogenic vapor and the cooling water prior to reception of the cooling water in the hydrocooler. Such mixing transfers heat from the cooling water to the cryogenic vapor to increase the heat transfer between the articles and the cooling water in the hy…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.