Client: Liqun Group | Location: Qingdao, Shandong, China | Equipment: 7,000 kg/h Three-Zone Fluidized Bed IQF Freezer & MYCOM Refrigeration Plant | Application: Par-Fried French Fries
Customer Background & Project Requirement
In June 2024, Square Technology delivered and commissioned one of China’s largest Fluidized Bed IQF (Individual Quick Freezing) tunnel freezers for Liqun Group, one of China’s largest retail chain, commercial logistics, and food manufacturing conglomerates.
As part of its expanding food processing division in Qingdao, Liqun Group required a continuous IQF freezing line capable of processing 7 tons per hour (7,000 kg/h) of hot, par-fried French fries exiting the frying and pre-cooling line without clumping, oil drip, or excessive moisture loss.
Customized Three-Zone IQF Freezing Process
To handle the high sensible heat and surface moisture of freshly par-fried French fries, Square Technology engineered a specialized three-zone fluidized bed IQF tunnel:
- Pre-Cooling Chamber:
- Temperature: Controlled above freezing point
- Function: Removes surface steam and sensible heat before crust freezing
- Benefit: Prevents heavy frost accumulation on the low-temperature deep-freezing evaporators
- Crust-Chilling Fluidization Chamber:
- Mechanism: High-velocity upward vertical cold airflow creates true fluidization
- Function: Rapidly locks a thin frozen crust around each individual fry
- Benefit: Separates wet fries immediately, preventing clumping, belt sticking, and shape deformation
- Deep-Freezing Chamber:
- Mechanism: Balanced airflow across the second conveyor stage
- Function: Reduces core temperature uniformly to −18°C
- Benefit: Preserves a crisp exterior and fluffy interior with minimal dehydration
Advanced Operational & Refrigeration Features
- 7+ Days Continuous Operation via Sequential Defrosting:
- 7 independent evaporators housed in isolated compartments
- Sequential defrosting enables over 7 days of non-stop production without shutting down the line
- Motorized isolation louvers prevent warm defrost vapor from entering the freezing tunnel
- Heated sloped drainage pans eliminate ice buildup beneath the coils
- Automated Hygiene & CIP Sanitation:
- Continuous return-loop belt washer and warm-air dryer
- Integrated CIP (Clean-in-Place) system for automated wash, foam, rinse, and drying cycles
- Two-Stage MYCOM Industrial Refrigeration System:
- Japanese MYCOM two-stage screw compressor package with VSD capacity modulation and soft starter
- Patented oil recovery system maintaining peak evaporator heat-exchange efficiency
- Danfoss refrigeration valves, Grundfos pumps, Siemens/Schneider electrical controls, and ASME-certified pressure vessels
