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Description
The scope of the FrostWave project is to develop a novel freeze-dryer supported with the microwave-based heating system for the food waste limitation and energy-efficient food storage for new food value chains. Currently, the advance freezing systems are required in order to guarantee long-term natural preservation and high quality of the stored food. Such systems are usually not easily accessible for small and medium food producers. Meanwhile, the food preservation and storage technology should be suitable and affordable for utilisation on the early stages of the food chain. Promising food preservation method that meets the aforementioned criterions is freeze-drying technology. In that method, the whole water content is removed from the processed food. In a result, the processed products do not require cooling during the transportation or storage. The nutrition value of these products is much higher compared to those frozen within most common techniques. The freeze-drying technology significantly improves the food safety and reduce food waste. The novel microwave-assisted freeze-dryer developed within the FrostWave project will guarantee the high quality of the processed food and improved energy efficiency of the device. Therefore, the vacuum chamber and MW heating unit, as well as natural working fluid-based refrigeration system for the freeze-dryer will be carefully designed. Within such approach, the novel device will allow to significantly reduce power consumption and amount of the food waste comparing to the approach based on frozen food storage. Consequently, reduction of the greenhouse gases emission will impact the environmental aspects and social standards by an increase of resiliency of food storage in regions without access to a reliable power grid. Hence, the main objective of the FrostWave is to develop the state-of-the-art freeze-drying unit supported with microwave heating for new food value chains and food waste limitation.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to develop an affordable and efficient freeze-dryer (FD) for small-business and domestic applications where microwave (MW) heating was implemented and an environmentally-friendly refrigeration system was used.
Nowadays, the FD of foods has a number of benefits, i.e. high quality of food products, lower food loss, perfect taste and texture, and reduced energy needed for storage of foods. However, the main drawback of this method is extensive energy consumption and a long processing time. Activities planned for the project covered a comprehensive and multidisciplinary study of different processes important in FD: airflow optimisation during the freezing stage, design of an efficient refrigeration system and effective MW-based heating system, and proper control of the process.
The main outcome of the project is the development of MW-heated FD technology in small-scale applications. In this way, end users, which are small businesses and private users could benefit from energy-efficient FD of food products, especially fruits and vegetables, but also meat, fish, dairy and whole meals. Because the food quality, as well as the food preservation and storage efficiency, nowadays plays a role, the future benefits of the project are a further development and improvement of MWFD technology, reduction of the processing time in this method, and lower energy required for drying and storage of foods.
Summary of bilateral results
The cooperation between Polish and Norwegian partners positively impacted the state of knowledge in the field, where both Norwegian partners (NTNU and SINTEF) have extensive experience, namely state-of-the-art refrigeration systems and food processing. It resulted in joint journal papers, presentations given during international conferences and a joint PhD agreement. A direct effect of the partnership between all the partners was the participation of SUT and FrostX in “ENOUGH” project (Horizon2020, 30 partners, budged over 11.6 M EUR), where freeze-drying and vacuum freezing technologies could be further developed and presented for international partners, project stakeholders and scientific community.Also, the cooperation between SUT and both Norwegian partners resulted in the submission of two EU project proposals: Heat4All and ReLoadHeat focused on heat pump technology where natural refrigerants (e.g. R290) are considered as a perfect replacement for synthetic refrigeration fluids used nowadays.For Polish industrial partner FrostX, the cooperation with Norwegian partners was a great opportunity to have a better understanding of the European market in the field of high-quality food products, environmental-friendly food processing units and recent trends in the sector of food chain. Also, such a partnership could significantly affect the “FrostX” brand in terms of reliability in the professional market.