CRYOGENIC CHILLER WITH VORTICAL FLOW

摘要

A chiller or tunnel freezer (10) for rapid chilling of chicken carcasses (12) and the like wherein a cryogen (30) such as liquid nitrogen or carbon dioxide snow is sprayed directly on the carcasses (12) or other items as they travel through a passage or tunnel (14), and wherein vortical flow of air and/or vaporized cryogen is effected within the chiller (10) to continuously sweep the bottom surface (16) of the chiller (10) and recirculate cryogen from the bottom surface (16), thereby avoiding accumulation of liquid nitrogen or CO2 snow on the bottom surface (16). The vortical flow is preferably provided by one or more fans (26) disposed within the tunnel (14). A deflector (32) may be provided on the tunnel interior (18) to direct recirculated cryogen onto the items being chilled. A damper (38) may be provided to regulate fan output and thereby enable optimization of operational efficiency.