Air cooler system cuts down on defrosting, manufacturer claims

New convenience foods, such as packs of pre-cooked, pre-salted portions of noodles, are being produced using cooling and refrigeration techniques.

Heinen's new spiral froster is designed as dual-tower system with a processing capacity of up to 1,500 kg/h. The froster's dimensions of 2800 mm x 3100 mm x 10,600 mm available in three different layouts keeps it in the range of compact coolers available on the market.

A programmable air cooler rinsing system significantly shortens defrosting cycles, the company claims. It works by sprinkling air coolers with warm water. A new air cooler stream increases the surface area available to moist air for a formation of frost and ice, and results in longer production times without defrosting, the company claimed.

An interface to the programmable cleaning system also allows the inside of the air cooler's hood to be washed fully automatically within a cleaning cycle.

The systems can also incorporate belt widths of 760 mm or more. The belts are made of stainless steel with high tensile strength and low weight, the company stated in a press release.

For the steadily growing market of fresh and chilled food products, Heinen also has frosters capable of continuous pasteurisation and cooling.

This type of line is made up of two components, a special spiral system is responsible for the pasteurisation process. This system can operate at air temperatures of up to 90 °C.

Another connected spiral system cools the pasteurised product products to 6°. The new combined series has a capacity ranging between 600 kg/h up to 2400 kg/h.