Flow Freezer Gas Circulation Layout to Prevent Debris Buildup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flow freezers and other gas treatment systems face frequent clogging and maintenance issues due to the buildup of product debris and ice, leading to reduced performance and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A flow freezer apparatus with a unique gas circulation path that redirects airflow downward and then upward through a gas treatment means, such as an evaporator, allowing debris to settle and be removed, reducing the need for frequent cleaning and defrosting by ensuring clean and dry gas flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If gas flows horizontally through the freezer apparatus, then cooling efficiency is maintained, but product debris and snow accumulate on fans and cooling elements requiring frequent cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the harmful function of horizontal gas flow that causes debris accumulation and replaces it with vertical gas flow through the product bed. This extraction removes the problematic interaction between horizontal airflow and debris particles, preventing accumulation on fans and cooling elements while maintaining cooling efficiency through the vertical flow path.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention inverts the traditional horizontal gas flow direction to a vertical flow direction. Instead of gas flowing horizontally past the product bed, gas now flows vertically upward through the product bed and then downward through the cooling elements. This inversion fundamentally changes the debris transport mechanism, allowing gravity to separate debris from the gas stream and prevent accumulation on critical components.
2Productivity
If flow freezer operates continuously, then productivity is maximized, but cleaning and defrosting must be performed frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful accumulation of debris and snow on horizontal surfaces into a beneficial situation where debris and snow are continuously separated by gravity and collected in a removable container at the bottom. The vertical gas flow causes debris to settle rather than accumulate on critical components, transforming a maintenance problem into a self-cleaning system that extends operational intervals between cleanings.
3Temperature
If gas treatment means is positioned to cool horizontal airflow, then cooling efficiency is achieved, but ice and debris build-up degrades performance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the positioning and flow direction through the gas treatment means. Instead of cooling horizontal airflow where debris accumulates on the treatment means surface, the gas treatment means now cools vertical downward flow. This inversion ensures that debris-laden gas flows past the treatment means without depositing material on it, while clean gas flows upward through the product bed, maintaining both cooling efficiency and reliable operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus significantly reduces the frequency of cleaning and maintenance, maintains product quality by minimizing debris exposure, and allows continuous production during maintenance by isolating and cleaning individual gas treatment sections.
Implementation Method 1
the gas treatment means is adapted to cool the upwardly directed flow of gas through the gas treatment means
Implementation Method 2
the gas treatment means is adapted to cool the upwardly directed flow of gas through the gas treatment means. Especially, the gas treatment means is an evaporator
Implementation Method 3
any product particles, product debris and snow present in the downwardly directed flow of gas will, through the action of gravity, not be able to follow the airflow as it turns upwardly and the product particles and snow will be removed from the gas flow and deposited on the floor of the apparatus
Implementation Method 4
The upwardly directed flow of gas through the openings is adapted to treat the product. Especially, the upwardly directed flow of gas through the openings is adapted to provide an at least partly fluidized bed of the products
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Apparatus for treatment of products comprising a product carrying unit (4) extending along a longitudinal product conveying direction and being provided with a plurality of openings adapted to allow an upwardly directed flow of gas through said openings and past the products. The apparatus further comprising a gas treatment means (10-1) and a gas circulation means (20,22,24,26). The apparatus being characterized by a first compartment adapted to guide the flow of gas from the carrying unit down along a first side of the treatment means (10-1), the treatment means having an inlet at a first level and an outlet at a second level, the second level being higher than the first level, thereby providing an upwardly directed flow of gas through the treatment means. The apparatus is further characterized by the circulation means (20,22,24,26) being adapted to draw the gas from the outlet downwardly along a second outer side of the treatment means (10-1), transversely opposite to the first side, and to provide the upwardly directed flow of gas through the openings of the carrying unit (4).