FDCONTINUA SERIES OF FREEZE DRIERS

Freeze Dried Foods New Zealand Ltd designs, builds and uses its unique continuous freeze drying system at its plant in Hastings, New Zealand. This system has been refined and added to, over the last 20 years of continuous operation. Our machines have a long track record of high availability and efficiency in a factory environment.
 
The FDContinua series freeze drying system from Freeze Dried Foods New Zealand Ltd is designed for high volume processing of added-value products. The drying process is fundamentally the same for any type of product, but the way in which different products are prepared for drying varies considerably.
Our system can freeze dry, liquids, particulates and whole parts.
 
IQF (individually quick frozen) products:
IQF products are loaded directly into the FDContinua by a unique patented method that allows batch traceability through the process. While the machine operates at ambient temperature the products always remain either frozen or dry.
Each product has to be prepared carefully to ensure it retains its original characteristics and to meet the requirements of the finished product.
 
The FDContinua series benefits:
Continuous production

• Economical operation
• High efficiency
• Low labour requirements
• Low maintenance costs
• Low maintenance requirements

The Feeding system is the first unique feature of the FDContinua series. Product is loaded directly into the freeze drier by way of large removable vessels, allowing the remote filling of product and flexibility in factory layout.

Another unique feature: No loading of trays outside the freeze drier, reducing handling and overall plant size required for operation.
The integral vapour condensers, with built-in defrosting system, is a feature of all FDContinua dryers. The benefits: it saves space, it is more reliable, it does not cause the loss of product, and it uses less energy compared with external condensers.

SPACE SAVING

The special vapour condensers are optimized and built into the drying chamber.
The FDContinua cabinet is designed to maximise use of the internal space for product, so optimising performance.

MORE RELIABLE

The condenser system does not rely on large external vacuum valves with pressure drops that are difficult to secure. Using the internal system, defrosting is performed under vacuum avoiding the need to seal the chamber against large pressure differentials.

LOW PRODUCT LOSS

No product abrasion and low vapour velocities within the dryer guarantee little product loss during the process.

LOW POWER CONSUMPTION

De-frosting under vacuum, rather than at atmospheric pressure, eliminates the need to re-establish vacuum. This, combined with optimal vapour flow conditions, continuous operation and the unique way heat is applied to the products reduces energy consumption compared with competing freeze drying technology.

CONTROLS

 The FDContinua process is fully automatic throughout and requires only minimal staff for continuous operation. All movement and process parameters are carefully controlled, monitored and logged with modern PLC/PC systems.
All FDContinua freeze Driers are remotely monitored by FDF to monitor performance.