A NEW FREEZING SYSTEM.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9445, 15 May 1909, Page 7

A NEW FREEZING SYSTEM.

AN INTERESTING PROCESS

A new chilling and freezing process brought out by Mr Jas. Macmeikan is to be'trled by the Melbonrne Oity Oonncil at the Qovernnment cool stores. The Pastoralisfca’ Re "vieW gives a description of the process. lor which several improvements over the system now in use are claimed. The cold air chamber immediately above the cooling room, is ■fitted with patent automatic spring hooks, which are really valves which oome into operation as the carcases ■ are hung upon'them. The cold air comes direct through the hooks oa to each carcase separately, and sprays out in four directions, so that the ,air is evenly distributed throughout the chamber, and an even temperature maintained. The outlet for the air from the cooling room to the >battery is through a series of ducts under the floor, mechanically controlled by latornate throttling valves worked ‘by any available power. Any system will suit this process. In the case of the dry air circulating system, no-alteration in toe coid battery is necessary, but the present mode of circulating is entirely dispensed with. Instead of the fan forcing the air from the battery to the room, the fan is placed on the suction aide, by which means the temperature of the battery and the -cool room gets the beuelit of the temperature of the battery, and avoids the friction and unnecessary increase of temperature of the air before doing the work it has been cooled for. It is claimed for this system of air distribution that freezing can be accomplished in half the time it takes at present, and with much less cold air; that there is leas loss of weight in freezing than under present systems. Each jet of cold air goes straight to its work, and through the carcase, which gets the full benefit of the temperature of the battery. The air jin the cool room which has become heated by loading operations, is expelled to the atmosphere, and not to the battery. It is also claimed for the invention that meat can be placed on the Home and foreign markets in a ohiilecl state. The method can be adapted ■to any of the present systems of .refrigeration with little cost. The apparatus is simple in construction and certain in action, is entirely mechanical and automatically controlled. The air is;,sterilised by heating to 200 deg, Fahr., and the carcases chilled at a temperature ranging from [j(33 to 40 _ deg., and will stand in tost condition for at least sixty days. Should it be deemed.necessary at .any period or the voyage or on arrival to freeze, the carcases can he frozen hard i_n_a few hours. Apart from the sterilisation of the air, which is dona by heat, the system is the same as described above. If it works out all right on a large scale (meat has been kept chilled in a small chamber in good condition for sixty days), the method should prove superior and simpler than others now in vogue. No chemicals are used to purify the air, and the foul gases are collected and expelled by purely ) mechanical means. Further, the inventors claim that any existing plant’s output can be increased by 50 per cent., with less consumption of fuel.