Linde North America's accu-chill combo chiller automates poultry and meat handling and chilling, processing about 10,000–12,000 pounds at a time with a typical equipment payback of 6–12 months, according to the company.
“Meat and poultry processors are looking for ways to reduce labor, and improve product quality, plant safety and productivity, and automating combo-bin chilling is proving to be a quick way to capitalize on all those goals,” said Mark DiMaggio, head of food and beverage for Linde North America. The chiller is on display at the International Production & Processing Expo in Atlanta, Ga., taking place through January 31, at booth #5845 in Hall B.
The combo chiller is designed to deliver more consistent temperatures from bin to bin, with a slight variation of 2–3 degrees F or less. More rapid and accurate cryogenic chilling may also reduce bacterial growth which can compromise food quality. It features an automated loading system. After the high-capacity combo bin is rolled into the chiller, bulk or deboned poultry or meat enters the top of the system and is placed on a slotted turntable.
Wiper arms push pieces through the slot to evenly distribute them throughout the bin as snow is sprayed through snow horns. The CO2 snow mixes thoroughly with the meat and provides more complete contact than pellets for more rapid and efficient chilling. Carbon dioxide consumption is much lower than dry ice methods — averaging only 0.10 to 0.15 pounds of liquid per pound of product for a 10–15OF drop in temperature.
