Praxair Inc. hosted the IQF (individually quick frozen products) Theater for attendees of the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE), teaching attendees how to produce IQF products by using Praxair’s ColdFront^M Ultra Performance Flighted Freezer System. With more than 40 years of experience and knowledge built into the latest design of the Flighted Freezer System, processors are able to maximize yield and increase production capacity, while keeping quality high and freezing costs low.

In order to produce the highest quality IQF product, the Praxair system exposes the product to cryogen at the freezer entrance ensuring a quick crust freezing. Short individual belt flights gently tumble foods for reduced fines and deliver even, quick freezing on all surfaces. Yield is also maximized through direct cryogen injection at key points throughout the freezer tunnel. Additionally, a wider belt width results in shorter tunnel lengths, allowing processors to maximize throughput while conserving valuable floor space. This latest Flighted Freezer design has a track record of success at customer installations throughout the United States using either liquid carbon dioxide (CO₂) or liquid nitrogen (N₂). Either raw or cooked foods can be frozen into excellent quality IQF products using this system.

The Ultra Performance Flighted Freezer, like all of Praxair’s temperature control systems, meets USDA sanitary guidelines. The freezer offers accessibility and a sanitary design allowing easy cleaning and maintenance. Inside the freezer, serpentine belt systems with cold belt capabilities provide excellent product release. For complete accessibility during clean-up and maintenance, vertical doors on both sides of the freezer swing out of the way to allow open access to the freezer interior. Product guides and scraper bars are also removable for cleaning and additional access. The user-friendly design allows the operator to see the entire interior floor of the freezer, making debris easier to locate and remove. Belt motors and drives are also located outside of the freezer for ease of maintenance and service.

Additionally, customers can customize their production to meet changing demands, economic conditions, product supply and type of cryogen used. Praxair food laboratory analyses ensure properly-sized equipment and offer recommended operational parameters to maximize product quality and meet production goals. The Praxair ColdFront Ultra Performance Flighted Freezer System is suitable for a wide variety of food products including most seafood, meat and poultry portions, diced foods, vegetables, berries, pizza toppings, processed foods, cheese and other similar items when individual, free flowing frozen food pieces are required.

For more information about ColdFront Ultra Performance Flighted Tunnel Freezers, visit www.praxairfood.com/innovations/iqf.php.