Abstract: A cryogenic enhanced mechanical freezer system and method are provided. The disclosed system includes a mechanical freezer compartment adapted for freezing food products on a conveyor, a cryogen injection system adapted to directly inject cryogen into a shrouded zone proximate the conveyor in the mechanical freezer compartment, an exhaust system adapted to rapidly evacuate cryogen vapors from the freezer compartment; and a freezer control system adapted to operatively control the exhaust system and cryogen injection system in response to selected inputs so as to not adversely affect the mechanical refrigeration capacity associated with the mechanical freezer. The selected inputs may include user inputs as well as inputs received from one or more temperature sensors disposed in the freezer compartment and a gas analyzer adapted to monitor concentrations of selected gases within the freezer compartment.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and apparatus for chilling food product, employing (A) cooling means comprising (1) a rotatable drum, (2) means in said drum for urging pieces through said drum, (3) cryogen dispensing means, and (4) means for rotating said drum; (B) feeding means which includes means for automatically sensing the mass flow rate at which said pieces are being fed into said inlet and for generating electrical signals corresponding to said rate; (C) electronic control means responsive to said signals and temperature inputs for preventing premature flow of cryogen and for automatically controlling the rate at which cryogen is fed so as to lower the temperature of said pieces to the desired exit temperature.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and apparatus for chilling food product, employing