Cooling Tunnels
How Cooling Tunnels Work
Cooling tunnels are primarily used in the food production industry to cool and set the products, and but are also used in a wide range of industries such as chemical processing, confectionary and dairy products, production of rubber and plastic sheeting as well as bitumen. The product passes through the tunnel which removes the heat from it through possible combinations of convection, conduction and radiation cooling. Convection involves the transfer of heat through the circulation of currents. Conduction involves transferring heat through a substance, shifting heat from regions of higher temperature where the particles are more energetic to regions of lower temperature where they are less so. Radiation cooling happens when the temperature is lowered through resonant radiation pressure of intense laser light.
The tunnels have controls that can alter the temperature at different stages or zones depending on the needs of the process. Generally cooling tunnel capabilities range from 30 000 Btu/hr to 500 000 Btu/hr depending on its design.
Process Systems Services’ Cooling Tunnels
Process Systems Services manufactures different types of cooling tunnels that are mainly used for confectionary production but can also be utilised for other food products. These are designed with steel conveyor belts for the superior hygiene standards of the food industry, with belt widths between 600 mm to 1200 mm. It features dual-flow air recirculation systems, under-belt contact cooling, integrated refrigeration units (with a local or remote condensing unit), and access hoods supported by gas struts along the complete length of the belt (to check on the production as well to ensure access for cleaning in an easy and safe manner). The benefits of PSS cooling tunnels include modern European styling that feature smooth lines and an aesthetic finish, a modular construction that means that the tunnel can be extended as requirements grow, and a guaranteed uniform and efficient cooling of products.