Abstract: Methods of inducing nucleation of a material is provided. The disclosed methods comprise the steps of bringing the material to a temperature near or below a phase transition temperature and altering the pressure to induce nucleation of the material. The disclosed methods are useful in freeze-drying processes, particularly pharmaceutical freeze-drying processes.

Abstract: System and method for lyophilization or freeze-drying is provided. During the freezing step, the material or solution to be frozen is initially brought to a temperature near or below its freezing temperature after which the pressure in the freeze-dryer chamber is reduced to induce nucleation of the material.

Abstract: System and method for lyophilization or freeze-drying is provided. During the freezing step, the material or solution to be frozen is initially brought to a temperature near or below its freezing temperature after which the pressure in the freeze-dryer chamber is reduced to induce nucleation of the material.

Abstract: System and method for lyophilization or freeze-drying is provided. During the freezing step, the material or solution to be frozen is initially brought to a temperature near or below its freezing temperature after which the pressure in the freeze-dryer chamber is reduced to induce nucleation of the material.

Abstract: A system and method for chilling a food product in or proximate to a food processing device adapted to dice, slice, shred, chop, or cut the food product is disclosed. The disclosed system and method involves a two or three stage application of a liquid cryogen or carbon dioxide snow to cool the food product. The cooling stages include a first stage of cryogen application upstream of the entrance of the food processing device, a second stage of cryogen application or delivery into one or more zones within the food processing device, and a third stage of cryogen application to the region proximate to and downstream of the exit to the food processing device.

Abstract: A system and method for chilling a food product in or proximate to a food processing device adapted to dice, slice, shred, chop, or cut the food product is disclosed. The disclosed system and method involves a two or three stage application of a liquid cryogen or carbon dioxide snow to cool the food product. The cooling stages include a first stage of cryogen application upstream of the entrance of the food processing device, a second stage of cryogen application or delivery into one or more zones within the food processing device, and a third stage of cryogen application to the region proximate to and downstream of the exit to the food processing device.

Abstract: A freeze-dryer and method of controlling the same is provided. The disclosed freeze-dryer includes a chamber adapted to hold material or product to be freeze-dried; one or more depressurization orifices; a gas pressurization circuit having a source of gas to pressurize the chamber to a prescribed pressure; a depressurization circuit coupled to the chamber via the one or more orifices and having a depressurizing control valve; and a control unit adapted to pressurize the chamber with the source of gas and actuate the depressurizing control valve to depressurize the chamber upon command. The ratio of total depressurization orifice area to the chamber volume is preferably between about 6×10?2 and about 4×10?4 m2/m3.

Abstract: A system and method for chilling a food product in or proximate to a food processing device adapted to dice, slice, shred, chop, or cut the food product is disclosed. The disclosed system and method involves a two or three stage application of a liquid cryogen or carbon dioxide snow to cool the food product. The cooling stages include a first stage of cryogen application upstream of the entrance of the food processing device, a second stage of cryogen application or delivery into one or more zones within the food processing device, and a third stage of cryogen application to the region proximate to and downstream of the exit to the food processing device.

Abstract: A freeze-dryer and method of controlling the same is provided. The disclosed freeze-dryer includes a chamber adapted to hold material or product to be freeze-dried; one or more depressurization orifices; a gas pressurization circuit having a source of gas to pressurize the chamber to a prescribed pressure; a depressurization circuit coupled to the chamber via the one or more orifices and having a depressurizing control valve; and a control unit adapted to pressurize the chamber with the source of gas and actuate the depressurizing control valve to depressurize the chamber upon command. The ratio of total depressurization orifice area to the chamber volume is preferably between about 6×10?2 and about 4×10?4 m2/m3.

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: A cryogenic enhanced mechanical freezer system and method are provided. The disclosed system includes a mechanical freezer compartment adapted for freezing food products, a cryogen injection system adapted to directly inject cryogen into 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. The selected inputs may include user inputs as well as inputs received from a temperature sensor disposed in the freezer compartment and a gas analyzer adapted to monitor concentrations of selected gases within the freezer compartment. Access to the freezer compartment is prevented during cryogen injection and when the atmosphere in the freezer compartment is not safe as determined by the gas analyzer.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for cooling or heating product by passing it through a tunnel in which gaseous heat transfer medium such as cryogen vapor or steam is impinged toward the product and then drawn away from the product in a manner that minimizes intersection with impinging medium.

Abstract: An impingement cooler or freezer includes at least one impingement section, having a plurality of channeling means defining apertures enabling cooling fluid impingement flow toward and onto objects on a conveyor and defining a channel through which the cooling fluid from the objects flows into a duct which carries the fluid to a unit that chills the fluid, and includes passage means which receives cooling fluid from said apertures and lets it enter the duct after having flowed toward and onto said objects, the fluid being impinged and recirculated by a fan.

Abstract: A device useful for delivering carbon dioxide snow comprises a supply conduit for providing a flow of pressurized carbon dioxide, a plurality of tubes disposed side by side, each tube having a constant cross-sectional configuration and area throughout its length, each tube having a first end the peripheral edges of which are sealed to the outside of the conduit wall and a second end which is open to the ambient atmosphere, and a plurality of apertures for carbon dioxide to flow through the conduit wall and expand to solids and vapor, there being at least one aperture communicating with the interior of each of said plurality of tubes.

Abstract: A thermal insulation panel exhibits little or no warping due to temperature differences between different portions of the panel. The panel comprises insulation material and an envelope for encapsulating the insulation material. The envelope comprises a base member and a cover member. The cover member is supported by the base member in a floating and sealing engagement with the base member. The cover member can slide relative to the base member to compensate for differential thermal expansion effects on the respective base member and cover member. In an alternative embodiment the cover member is adapted to be exposed to a temperature significantly below the temperature to which the base member is exposed. The cover member is formed of a metal having a low coefficient of thermal expansion to compensate for differential thermal expansion effects in the respective base member and cover member. The cover member and the base member are joined to provide the envelope with a hermetic seal.

Abstract: A cooling tunnel system that includes a conveyor for carrying objects through a tunnel chamber. The conveyor enables a cooling fluid to pass therethrouqh and about the objects. A plurality of slot means feeds the cooling fluid to the conveyor means. Each slot means includes at least one aperture for enabling vapor flow onto and about the objects. A plenum adjacent the plurality of slot means distributes the cooling fluid. And at least one fan in the tunnel chamber causes a flow of the cooling fluid into the plenum and through the slot means with sufficient velocity to impinge upon and cool the objects and to recirculate the cooling fluid within the tunnel chamber.

Abstract: The device forms snow from pressurized carbon dioxide fluids. A supply conduit delivers a flow of pressurized fluid. An expansion member attached to the supply conduit contains a plurality of channels for reducing pressure on the fluid and converting the fluid with reduced pressure into a mixed-phase stream of gas and fine snow particles. The channels have an average diameter and an average length of at least twice its average diameter. An agglomeration chamber attached to the plurality of channels agglomerates the fine snow particles by contacting the fine snow particles together.