LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa.,
Aug. 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Air
Products (NYSE: APD) is introducing to the North American food
market its Freshline® QS tunnel freezer, which can be used to
cryogenically freeze or cool a wide variety of foods such as meat
and poultry, seafood, fruits and vegetables, pasta, dairy products,
baked goods and prepared meals. Designed with simplicity in mind,
the new tunnel freezer is ideal for smaller volume food processors
and start-ups that want to quickly begin freezing a high quality
product with minimal upfront cost.
The QS tunnel freezer can be integrated into new or existing
production lines in minimal time and is also well-suited for food
processors wanting to convert to continuous freezing, alleviate a
bottleneck in their operation, or grow and diversify their existing
product line.
"The Freshline QS tunnel freezer is an economical and
easy-to-operate freezer that was developed with smaller volume food
processors and start-ups in mind," says Marna Schmidt, North America Food industry
manager at Air Products. "The design of the new freezer enables a
faster start-up with minimal upfront cost, making cryogenic
freezing a more practical option for smaller volume food
processors."
Schmidt also explains that with the QS tunnel freezer,
in-process or continuous freezing can be quickly integrated into a
food production line, enabling manufacturers to free up walk-in
freezer storage space by converting their process to a
freeze-to-order operation.
Air Products' cryogenic freezers―which use the extremely cold
temperature of liquid nitrogen (LIN) (-196 degrees C) to achieve
temperature reduction―are capable of freezing food within minutes
instead of the hours required by traditional ammonia- or
freon-based systems. This quick freeze not only can contribute to a
higher yield, but also can enhance product quality. When food
products are frozen more rapidly, it results in the formation of
smaller ice crystals, which causes less damage to a product's
cellular structure. This enables food products to maintain
moisture, which not only improves texture, color and flavor, but
also translates into smaller weight losses from dehydration and
higher yields.
The Freshline QS tunnel freezer has an easy-to-use automated
control system where product-specific operating set points can be
stored, which can reduce the time and manpower needed to freeze
products. The innovative design, with open and easy access to the
internal parts of the freezer, allows for simple cleaning to meet
the latest hygiene and safety standards of the food industry. In
addition, the simple design of the QS tunnel freezer, with fewer
moving parts than traditional cryogenic freezers, leads to less
maintenance.
Air Products has been providing the food industry with solutions
for freezing, chilling, coating, mixing, forming, packaging and
wastewater treatment for more than 40 years. With state-of-the-art,
fully-equipped food laboratories in the U.S., Europe and Asia, Air Products can test a customer's
product to determine the feasibility of using the Freshline QS
tunnel freezer for their specific process. For more information
about the Freshline QS tunnel freezer or to schedule a product
trial, call 1-800-654-4567 (610-706-4730 outside of the U.S.) or
visit us online at
www.airproducts.com/industries/FoodBeverage.aspx.
Air Products (NYSE: APD) serves customers in industrial, energy,
technology and healthcare markets worldwide with a unique portfolio
of atmospheric gases, process and specialty gases, performance
materials, and equipment and services. Founded in 1940,
Air Products has built leading positions in key growth markets
such as semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, home healthcare
services, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and
adhesives. The company is recognized for its innovative culture,
operational excellence and commitment to safety and the
environment. In fiscal 2010, Air Products had revenues of
$9 billion, operations in over 40
countries, and 18,300 employees around the globe. For more
information, visit www.airproducts.com.
***NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements
within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are
based on management's reasonable expectations and assumptions as of
the date of this release regarding important risk factors. Actual
performance and financial results may differ materially from
projections and estimates expressed in the forward-looking
statements because of many factors not anticipated by management,
including risk factors described in the Company's Form 10K for its
fiscal year ended September 30,
2010.
EDITOR'S NOTE:
A brief video and downloadable photo of Air Products' new
Freshline QS tunnel freezer are available in Air Products' News
Center at
www.airproducts.com/company/news-center/2011/0829-freshline_qs_tunnel_freezer.
SOURCE Air Products