Insulated panels are multipurpose, multi-utility panels that have a central insulated core, sandwiched in the middle by two polymers or metals on both sides, stuck to the surface of the core. The central core is usually made up of materials like rigid polyurethane, polyisocyanurate, expanded polystyrene, and besides these, mineral wool. They are often referred to as curtain material as the panels are attached to a steel framework or to some other carrier that acts as a building's structural force.

The central materials and components vary in terms of 3 factors - Thermal conductivity, insulation of sound, and strength-to-weight ratio. Mineral wool panels, on the other hand, are preferred in the context of buildings that need a superior degree of fire resistance. Insulated panels are in high demand for modern-day building construction projects and the food processing industry (as in the blast freezer). It not just serves practical purposes of preservation and efficiency, but also for adding to the visual and structural aesthetic of the building.

Some uses of insulated panels

  • Insulated panels are a vital part of building construction projects. They help in preserving energy within a building. By preserving heat, they help in reducing carbon emissions.
  • Insulated panels help in keeping outside noise away inside a building, and in the process, reduce noise pollution.
  • They help in resisting extreme weather conditions like heat, monsoons, or cold.
  • They preserve the inner temperature of rooms, in any season
  • Insulated panels help in the prevention of air leakage.
  • The refrigeration industry also makes use of insulated panels for the preservation of the cold temperature. A cold room's freezer walls are basically insulated panels that have been joined together to preserve the cold and prevent any kind of air leakage.
  • Insulated panels are available in small pieces as then it is convenient for carrying them to different places.
  • Insulated panels that are to be installed in cold rooms, usually come in specific dimensions. The thickness of the panels varies between 4 and 12 inches. One of the most preferred foams used on these panels is EPS, which measures 3.5 inches in a 4.5-inch thick panel.
  • Insulated panels help in cutting down on costs as it eliminates the necessity of a lot of building materials.

Exploring the connection between insulated panels and blast freezers

A blast freezer is a large storage used for freezing rapidly. They are also called shock freezers. Blast Freezers are predominantly used in the frozen food industry to keep the food frozen, including ice creams, meat, pre-made meals, and other ready-to-eat edibles. Several restaurants and commercial kitchens use them for keeping food preserved. It is dominantly used in the food and beverage industry.

How does a blast freezer preserve food?

Freezing in general is a time-taking process. The longer it takes, the larger crystals it forms. This may also result in damaging the quality of the stored food. For example, it may render the food stale or flavor-less.  But in the context of rapid freezing, the crystals formed are small in size, and hence the food is not damaged. Blast freezers, for the purpose of rapid freezing, use blower fans, that forces cold air right through the different contents of the freezer to rapidly freeze them. Blast freezer offers a very safe environment by preventing any kind of bacterial growth on the frozen stuff due to its rapid chilling mechanism.

Insulated panels in a blast freezer

Insulation panels are used in the construction of blast freezers to maintain extremely low temperatures. These panels are designed to have excellent properties, which help to prevent heat transfer between the interior and exterior of the freezer. To rapidly chill the food products such thermal insulation is mandatory. To preserve processed foods and pharmaceutical products, these blast freezers come in incredibly handy. The insulation provided by these panels helps to create a controlled environment within the freezer.

By using these panels in the construction of blast freezers, the rate of heat transfer is minimized. This enables the freezer to achieve the ultra-low temperature required for rapid freezing. This is an effective thermal insulation technique that inevitably contributes to energy savings. Whether you want to keep the product frozen or chilled, these freezers integrated with the insulation panels serve as the right choice.

Key Takeaway

Insulated panels are the mainstay of the construction, food, and pharmaceutical industry. It is difficult to imagine the functioning of these industries without the help of these panels. The most important use of these panels lies in their ability to prevent heat from passing through the confined space. The central core of these panels is made of various materials like polyurethane and polystyrene enclosed within a steel framework. This protective structure makes sure heat doesn't escape from the panels of products like blast freezers which are integrated with these panels.

The blast freezer is used extensively in the preservation of perishable food items and pharmaceutical ingredients. They help in freezing the food items rapidly with the formation of small crystals. This ensures the food is not damaged and the nutritional quality is perfectly preserved.