In the food processing industry, spiral freezers (also known as spiral freezing machines) play a vital role in preserving the quality and freshness of various food products. This article provides an in-depth look at the components, types, and key considerations for choosing the right spiral freezer for your needs.
What is a Spiral Freezer?
Spiral freezer is a high-efficiency, energy-saving rapid freezing system that utilizes a spiral conveyor to transport food products through a refrigerated chamber. This method ensures even, fast freezing while maintaining the nutritional value, texture, and flavor of the food.
Key Components of Spiral Freezers
1. Conveyor System
- Transmission Motor: Powers the operation of the entire system.
- Mesh Belt: Carries and transports food, typically made from high-strength SUS304 stainless steel with enhanced tensile strength. The belt’s unique three-chain structure maximizes its effective area and prevents flipping. Ribs on both sides ensure food remains secure.
- Turret: In double-spiral freezers, the turret supports and rotates the mesh belt, ensuring even freezing as food passes through the evaporator.
- Independent Inverter: Adjusts the speed of the motor, controlling the mesh belt's movement and the freezing duration.
2. Evaporator
- Structure: Composed of stainless steel and aluminum fins, with variable fin spacing to ensure smooth air circulation. The pipes can be made of aluminum or copper.
- Function: The evaporator reduces the refrigerant's temperature, absorbing heat from the surroundings to freeze food. Spiral freezers often use a pre-cooling method to ensure quick and even freezing.
3. Insulation Board
- Material: Constructed from stainless steel for excellent corrosion resistance and durability.
- Insulation: Features double-sided SUS304 polyurethane foam with a density of 42 kg/m³, providing strong insulation. The board uses a convex-concave groove design and eccentric hook connections for improved efficiency.
- Design Features: Equipped with a low-voltage electric heating device to prevent freezing around inspection doors. Includes an inspection channel for easy cleaning and maintenance.
4. Electrical Control System
- Composition: Consists of a stainless-steel electric box and an intelligent control device.
- Function: Manages the freezer's operation, including motor speed, refrigeration control, and safety features.
Types of Spiral Freezers
There are several types of spiral freezers designed to meet different production scales and applications. The most common types include:
1. Single-Spiral Freezer
- Use: Ideal for smaller-scale operations.
- Design: Features a single spiral conveyor that moves food through the freezing chamber.
2. Double-Spiral Freezer
- Use: Suited for larger-scale production.
- Design: Equipped with two parallel spiral conveyors to increase freezing capacity and efficiency.
3. Self-Stacking Spiral Freezer
- Use: Suitable for freezing granular and block products.
- Design: Food is stacked layer by layer through a self-stacking conveyor, creating a spiral structure that optimizes space and enhances freezing efficiency.
How to Choose Different Types of Spiral Freezers?
When selecting a spiral freezer, consider the following factors to ensure optimal performance and efficiency:
- Production Capacity: Evaluate how much food needs to be frozen per hour to choose a freezer with the appropriate capacity.
- Product Type: Different foods require specific freezing conditions, so select a freezer that can meet the needs of your products.
- Energy Efficiency: Look for a freezer that minimizes energy consumption, reducing operational costs and environmental impact.
- Maintenance and Service: Opt for a manufacturer that provides comprehensive maintenance and service support to ensure long-term performance.
