Linde Automated Box Chilling System Speeds Seafood and Meat Packing

MURRAY HILL and NEW PROVIDENCE, N.J., June 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Meat, poultry and seafood currently packed with water ice or dry ice in boxes can be chilled more safely and efficiently when using the DRI PACK® automated box chilling system from Linde LLC which uses the chilling power of carbon dioxide (CO₂) snow.

Designed and built to USDA requirements, the DRI PACK chilling system is ideal for meat packing plants as well as poultry and seafood operations, and is intended for use with new or existing packaging operations. The automated chilling system quickly fills boxes (up to about 24 inches wide) with CO₂ snow as they travel along a conveyor. 

Benefits-at-a-Glance

• Automated system reduces labor costs
• Provides for more accurate and consistent use of CO₂
• Gently distributes CO₂ snow in open boxes or totes
• Adapts to most conveyor lines

With the DRI PACK system, extremely cold CO₂ snow quickly chills the food product, locking in moisture and preserving freshness and quality. A controlled flow of CO₂ snow is directed into containers or boxes at temperatures of negative 109.3 degrees F (minus 78.5 degrees C). Once in the container, the CO₂ snow does not melt; rather, through the process of sublimation, the CO₂ provides the refrigeration to chill food -- so there is never any liquid. 

Safety Advantages
The automated box chilling system offers safety advantages over chilling with water ice or dry ice pellets. Handling bagged ice or constantly shoveling water ice or CO₂ pellets can lead to motion injuries. In addition, using CO₂ pellets in totes or other open containers in packing plants poses a hazard since CO₂ is an odorless asphyxiant. The DRI PACK system eliminates the storage and physical handling of ice, and the equipment includes a shroud around the chute to vent waste gases to the outside. 

Packing fresh fish, shellfish or other foods with ice by hand is inherently slow and labor intensive, and means variable chilling results. Additionally, ice made from water can melt in transit, causing handling issues and less-than-desirable product quality.  

"With fish and seafood products retailing for $10 to $20 a pound or more, preserving
the product's high-quality appearance, taste, and texture becomes extremely important." 
-- Ed Cordiano, Linde program manager, prepared foods and seafood

The DRI PACK automated chilling system is part of a range of CO₂ snow generating equipment from Linde that also includes: Hooded snow generators, CO₂ snow horns, and the ACCU-CHILL® Combo Chiller that features an automated loading system for more accurate and consistent chilling of meat products packed and shipped in bulk combo bins.

The Linde food team performs in-plant assessments to identify current cost-to-chill and works with processors to develop optimal process solutions. For more information, visit: www.lindefood.com, or call:  800-755-9277.   

Linde LLC supports the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) and the advancement of food safety. Linde has a Food Safety Management System in place for all bulk carbon dioxide (CO₂) plants and air separation facilities supplying the food & beverage industry in North America. In June 2012, Linde became the first supplier to certify all of its CO₂ plants to a benchmarked GFSI scheme, FSSC 22000 (Food Safety System Certification). 

About Linde LLC in North America 
Linde LLC is a member of The Linde Group.  In the 2014 financial year, The Linde Group generated revenue of  USD 17.9 bn (EUR 17.047 bn), making it the largest gases and engineering company in the world with approximately 65,500 employees working in more than 100 countries worldwide. The strategy of The Linde Group is geared towards long-term profitable growth and focuses on the expansion of its international business with forward-looking products and services. Linde acts responsibly towards its shareholders, business partners, employees, society and the environment – in every one of its business areas, regions and locations across the globe. The company is committed to technologies and products that unite the goals of customer value and sustainable development. 

For more information, visit www.lindeus.com 

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SOURCE Linde LLC

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