Liquid nitrogen cooler rapidly chills
freeze foods, its manufacturer claims.
Air Products said its Freshline Liquid Nitrogen Injection System (LIN-IS) gives processors more temperature control than existing products, including those that use surface coolants.
"By providing consistent and repeatable rapid cooling of meat products during mixing and processing, the LIN-IS offers significant advantages over existing cooling alternatives, improving product quality and reducing bacterial growth," the company said.
Liquid nitrogen is a powerful coolant, which enables products to be quickly frozen without the formation of water crystals, excessive moisture loss or the affects of clumping.
The system injects the coolant into processing and mixing operations and can be controlled using the included software that is included.
Coolants injected directly into products reduces gas consumption and nitrogen waste, claims the manufacturer.
This method also reduces fat breakdown, which affects the quality of products over time.
The Freshline LIN-IS, which can be fitted to mixers and forming equipment, also avoids the formation of metamyoglobin and allows processors to improve the regularity of meat cuts, according to Air Products.
Metamyoglobin occurs when meat is over exposed to oxygen in the air and leads to a browning effect, reducing consumer appeal.
Anne Callens, Air Products' European business development manager, said the Freshline solves many processing problems, while simultaneously meeting the highest safety and hygiene standards.
"Systems are simple to operate, clean and maintain and are designed to our customers' individual specifications where the speed, flexibility and control of liquid nitrogen can provide significant benefits," she said.
Air Products is a manufacturer of cryogenic gas equipment and services supplier.
