FOOD TECHNOLOGY

FT34 MKII Contact Plate Freezer - issue 5

The FT34 Mkll demonstrates an industrial fast freezing process in a simple, practical and student friendly configuration. It directly illustrates the large improvements in taste and texture which can be achieved by fast freezing processes compared with the slower freezing times of a domestic refrigerator.

An informative wallchart is supplied free with each FT34 MKll Contact Plate Freezer. It describes the industrial freezing process and highlights the importance of freezing food quickly.

Order Specification |
Demonstration Capabilities |
Description |
Technical Specification

Software |
Accessories |
Requirements |
Shipping Specification and Dimensions

Ordering Specification

• Demonstrates an industrial fast freezing process in a simple, practical and student friendly configuration
• Includes informative wall chart
• Two freezing plates 180 x 250mm
• One plate fixed, the other height adjustable
• Both plates serviced by a refrigeration unit
• Food products up to 160 x 230 x 38mm may be quick frozen
• Fine temperature probes monitor throughout the freezing process
• Optional data logging accessory with comprehensive Windows based software
• Manual and software give teacher and student instruction sheets
• Refrigerant is R404A
• Plate temps (both) <-35°C
• Digital display for sensors

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Demonstration Capabilities

> Food Preservation
> Effect of Freezing on Food
> Fast Freezing v Slow Freezing
> Taste and Texture Assessments
> Freezing Rates
> Links with Biology (food structure)
> Effect of Temperature on Bacteria
> Links with Physics (refrigeration)
> Temperature Sensing
> Quality Assurance/Quality Control

The FT 34 Mkll Plate freezer allows foods to be quick frozen using an industrial freezing process.

Five thermocouples are provided which can be positioned in different points of the product being frozen. This allows the effect on the freezing process of parameters such as the shape of the product, the packaging, portion size, etc. to be investigated.

The flexibility and simple operation of the plate freezer make it ideal for project work at a wide variety of levels. At a basic level, the difference between fast and domestic freezing can be evaluated. At higher levels a frozen food product can be assessed for a large number of attributes and the interaction of different attributes considered.

The FT34 Mkll is supported by comprehensive teacher and student instruction sheets giving detailed explanations, operational instructions, investigations and suggestions for project work.

Data logging

Freezing is an ideal application for demonstrating the importance of data logging. The five temperature sensor outputs are available for this.

An optional data logger is available which can be used to display the freezing curves on a computer. This illustrates the freezing characteristics and shows the Thermal Arrest Time, during which ice crystals are formed.

The operational data may be logged to a PC.

Windows™ software is included to display tables and graphs of the logged data and to allow the data to be exported to a spread sheet.

FT34 MkII Schematic diagram

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Typical graph plot from software

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Description

The FT34Mkll Contact Plate Freezer uses the familiar Armfield vacuum formed ABS base onto which is mounted a refigeration unit employing an environmentally friendly refrigerant R404A. One 180 x 250mm, fixed and one height adjustable freezing plate are positioned adjacent to the refrigeration unit.

A hand operated lever raises and lowers the adjustable freezing plate into close contact with the product to be frozen which is placed on the fixed plate.

Bagged, wrapped and boxed products may be quick frozen.

Five temperature probes are provided to monitor the product throughout the freezing process.

All controls and instrumentation are housed in the base unit.

Outputs to connect the plate freezer to a PC via the Armfield Data Logging Accessory FT34-90IFD-USB are also provided.

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Technical Specification

Plate Temperature (both plates): <-35°C
Temperature Sensors: 5 Thermocouples
Refrigerant: R404A (Environmentally Friendly)
Display: Digital display for temperature sensors
Outputs: ±5 volts represents ±50°C
Freezing Area: 180 mm x 250 mm
Maximum thicknes of sample:

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Optional Accessories

FT34-90IFD-USB

Data Logging Accessory:
Comprises: interface device,software and leads. Requires a customer supplied PC with USB interface, running Windows 98 or later.

Armfield Armsoft Software details

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