Abstract: The invention relates to method and process for drying aqueous coatings such as water based wax and the like on fruit.The fruit is taken from the cold storage area and immersed in heated water to raise the skin temperature to a level sufficient to be receptive to the coating. The coating is then applied to the fruit. Cold air, above the freezing temperature, is passed first up through the product, over it and down through it while it is carried on a porous conveyor. The cold air, heated by the warmer product and laden with water and solvents, is passed through a refrigeration unit. The water carrying the solvents is then removed. The dehumidified air is then recycled. The product may be exposed to a second sequential stream of cold air.

Abstract: A two-stage refrigeration system including a primary cooling circuit which may be of the mechanical, vapor-compression type and a secondary closed system which is limited to an evaporator, located in the product storage area, a condenser and the necessary interconnecting conduits. The two circuits are operatively linked by a heat exchanger located outside the product storage area. The heat exchanger serves as the evaporator of the primary, caustic refrigerant system, and as the condenser of the secondary, relatively safe, volatile refrigerant system. Means are provided to prevent the refrigerant of the primary circuit from entering the secondary circuit in the event of heat exchange leakage. The heat exchanger design as well as the primary circuit control permits a rapid response to changes in temperature in the product storage area without requirement of controls on the secondary side of the system.