Product overblow management assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fluidized bed freezers face issues with product overblow, where food products are lost and end up in undesired locations, causing airflow blockages and increased maintenance costs due to the inability to effectively contain the frozen particles within the freezing zone.
Innovation Solution
A product overblow management assembly is introduced, featuring deflector assemblies that prevent products from leaving the treatment zone and direct overblown products into a separate landing area, minimizing yield loss and airflow disruptions while maintaining system performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If tray sides with outward incline are used to increase flow area, then the tendency for product to follow airstream out of product zone is reduced, but air velocity is not actually reduced and recirculation zone forms
Solution Approach 1:
A deflector assembly is introduced as an intermediary component between the product zone and the evaporator coils. The deflector includes a first portion that extends downwardly from the tray side and a second portion that extends outwardly, creating a physical barrier that redirects overblown product away from the evaporator coils while allowing air flow to continue uninterrupted.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflector assembly is segmented into multiple portions: a first portion extending downwardly from the tray side, a second portion extending outwardly from the first portion, and optionally a third portion extending upwardly. This segmentation allows each portion to perform a specific function in redirecting air flow and containing product.
2Loss of substance
If bottom openings are added to tray sides to reduce air velocity and pressure resistance, then product yield loss through tray sides is reduced, but upward air velocity is not significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The deflector assembly acts as an intermediary that redirects air flow and contains product without requiring modifications to the tray side structure that would compromise air velocity. The deflector captures overblown product and redirects it back into the product zone or away from problematic areas.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If complex airflow path is designed to prevent overblown product from reaching evaporator coils, then product containment is improved, but device complexity increases and more space is required
Solution Approach 1:
The deflector assembly is a relatively simple intermediary component that attaches to the existing tray side structure. It provides an effective barrier against overblown product reaching the evaporator coils without requiring a complete redesign of the airflow path or additional complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflector assembly can be designed with adjustable or movable portions that allow optimization of the airflow path dynamically. The deflector portions can be positioned to achieve the desired balance between product containment and air flow efficiency.
4Reliability
If evaporator coils are blocked by overblown product, then cooling capacity is affected and production must be stopped for cleaning, but cleaning is difficult and downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deflector assembly provides preliminary protection by preventing overblown product from reaching the evaporator coils in the first place. This anticipatory measure eliminates the need for frequent cleaning and maintenance of the evaporator coils, thereby reducing downtime and maintaining continuous production.
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 solution significantly reduces product overblow reaching undesired areas, such as evaporator coils, and allows for easier cleaning, maintaining airflow resistance and freezer capacity without significant impact on performance.
Implementation Method 1
circulating treatment gas from a heat exchanger assembly through a product carrying unit
Implementation Method 2
treat a product by circulating treatment gas from a heat exchanger assembly through a product carrying unit
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly for managing product overblow in a gas treatment system may include a first deflector assembly configured to substantially prevent product from leaving a product treatment zone of a product carrying unit of the gas treatment system. The assembly may further include a second deflector assembly configured to substantially direct overblown product that has left the product treatment zone into an overblow landing area separate from a heat exchanger assembly of the gas treatment system.