The Linde portfolio encompasses the patented CRYOLINE XF (cross-flow) spiral freezer, the Linde immersion spiral freezer, as well as standard box spiral freezers.

• The patented CRYOLINE XF spiral freezer, with a proprietary cross-flow pattern of cryogenic gas, delivers a rapid heat-transfer that will boost throughput and reduce operating costs vs. conventional cryogenic spiral freezers.
• The Linde immersion spiral freezer combines high-efficiency nitrogen utilization with high-volume spiral freezing throughput to 20,000 lbs. per hour and higher.
• Standard Linde box-spiral freezers provide high reliability, simple operation and easy maintenance. (Freezer models available with throughput to 15,000 lbs. per hour and higher.)

Pushing Productivity

Spiral freezers use a conveyor with a belt that travels in a vertical spiral, conserving floorspace and assuring efficient use of cryogen. Linde develops cryogenic spiral freezing solutions to meet plant requirements and line configuration that can quickly boost throughput, and provides on-site engineering support and maintenance programs to help maximize productivity as processing needs change.

For example, at Nation Pizza & Foods, Linde nitrogen spiral freezers have met production demands on a range of high-volume products for 10 years. Linde performs annual audits to monitor freezing processes and help ensure safe and efficient operation. To meet higher capacity demands within the existing facility for a premium national brand of frozen pizza, Linde collaborated with Nation to optimize the performance of the freezers for a lower cost per pound -- while maintaining quality.

Nation is one of the largest private-label frozen food manufacturers in the U.S. and, in addition to high-quality pizzas, its range includes toasted subs, panini, bruschetta, garlic toast and breakfast items. In the production process for the premium pizza brand, frozen specialty crusts are conveyed down the line and topped with refrigerated ingredients before they enter the Linde cryogenic spiral freezer.

Operating at colder than minus 100 oF, the Linde spiral freezer uses a direct spray of cryogenic nitrogen to ensure toppings are firmly frozen to the pizza and frost-free, before going out into final packaging. The hygienically designed spiral freezers feature a proprietary exhaust system that automatically ramps up or down with production to optimize nitrogen efficiency. After Linde optimized the freezer with Nation Pizza & Foods, production on the premium line was ramped up to achieve a substantial increase in volume in the same floorspace.

Linde offers a portfolio of hygienically-designed, state-of-the-art cryogenic freezers and chilling systems, attractive equipment rentals, and turnkey services. The Linde food team performs in-plant assessments and works with food processors to develop optimal solutions. For more information visit Linde (www.lindefood.com), or call: 800-755-9277.