Nowadays, there are many IQF tunnel freezers producers on the international market, but only a few of them are able to offer innovative solutions for frozen food processors and the food industry. Creating a balanced ratio between all the elements of an IQF tunnel freezer, in order to obtain the best possible freezing results, is a complex science.

The fans of an IQF tunnel freezer are crucial because they have an essential role in obtaining the optimal fluidization of the product, in each of the freezing zones. The fans are responsible for circulating the cold air stream inside the IQF tunnel freezer. Today, there are many types of freezers on the market, each suitable for a certain type of freezer. The difference between them lies in their design and the method that is being used for circulating the air.

When it comes to making a selection between different types of fans, the most important criteria are efficiency, material, pressure, space limitation, and volume flow rate. Depending on the airflow’s trajectory inside the IQF tunnel freezer, there are two main categories of fans: centrifugal flow fans and axial flow fans. In the centrifugal flow fans, the air changes its direction both when entering, and when exiting, while in the axial flow fans, the air doesn't change its direction at all.

Centrifugal flow fans

The centrifugal flow fans can be categorized into three main types: radial, forward curved, and backward curved. The radial fans and the backward curved fans are the most commonly used in IQF tunnel freezers. The reason is that they are more efficient than forward curved fans because the changes in static pressure don't overload the motor.

Axial flow fans

The axial flow fans can also be categorized into three main types: tube axial, axial vane, and propeller fans. The innovative IQF technology, such as the OctoFrostTM IQF tunnel freezer, works with the axial vane fans because their design ensures a better energy efficiency and a better flow control. Axial vane fans have a wheel inside a cylindrical housing, with a close clearance between the housing and the blade, which makes the airflow more efficient.

The interdependent relationship between efficiency and design

Each type of fan design has its own level of efficiency. The OctoFrostTM IQF tunnel freezer uses custom-made axial vane fans, adjusted to the overall design of the freezer, which allows the possibility to change the frequency and to run the fans at different speeds, depending on the product that is being frozen.

Moreover, this IQF tunnel freezer's fans are so efficient that they only need to run at a maximum of 75% to 80% of their full speed capacity.

For a high-performance equipment, the fans alone can't guarantee superior IQF products, but only in combination with other elements of the freezer. For an optimal circulating airflow, energy efficient fans in an IQF equipment can be a major asset.