INNOVATIVE IN-LINE CHILLING/FREEZING SYSTEM FOR FRESH MEAT PRODUCTS PACKED IN CORRUGATED CARDBOARD CARTONS

摘要

A large-scale three-temperature zone (TriZone) continuous in-line automatic air blast chilling/freezing system is presented. The purposes of the system are chilling and freezing of fresh, hot boned meat in corrugated cardboard cartons. The chilling and freezing processes take place within the same machine. Horizontal panels and moving doors separate the three temperature zones. The carton unit mass and carton dimensions may be varied within wide ranges. Cartons may be processed automatically with or without lids at variable retention times and zone temperatures to suit the products and the desired outcomes. The refrigeration plant servicing the automatic blast chilling/freezing unit is a three-stage ammonia/carbon dioxide (NH{sub}3/CO{sub}2) cascade refrigeration system where the ammonia element is of the low charge type. The TriZone system is capable of accommodating the cooling rates for hot boned meat as stipulated by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) and Meat and Livestock Australia.