Device for the rapid freezing of substances

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for the rapid freezing of the surface or for the complete freezing of starting substances, in particular of food or pharmaceuticals, said device comprising a treatment zone (B), through which a cryogenic liquefied gas flows as a coolant, said gas thereby freezing at least the surfaces of the starting substances and thereby causing relative movements between the starting substances, which are immersed in the coolant. The treatment zone (B) is made up of modules (M 1, M 2, M 3, M 4 ) and the length thereof can be changed by adding or removing one or a plurality of modules.

1 . A device for the rapid freezing of the surface or for the complete freezing of starting substances, in particular food or pharmaceuticals, comprising a treatment zone through which a cryogenic liquefied gas flows as a coolant, said gas freezing at least surfaces of the starting substances and causing relative movements between the starting substances which are immersed in the coolant, the treatment zone comprising a plurality of modules to which can be added or removed one or a plurality of the modules for adjusting a length of the treatment zone, wherein at least one of the plurality of modules is inclined against the horizontal and is adjustable in its inclination with respect to the horizontal. 
   
   
       2 . (canceled) 
   
   
       3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein two modules of the plurality of modules which succeed one another in a flow direction of the coolant are substantially arranged underneath one another and inclinations of the two modules provide flow directions in the two modules to be substantially oriented in opposite directions. 
   
   
       4 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein each one of the plurality of the modules comprise a straight pipe, the straight pipe comprising a rectangular cross section. 
   
   
       5 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein each one of the plurality of the modules comprise a straight chamfer, the straight chamfer comprising a U-shaped cross section.