At GasN2, we design industrial cooling solutions tailored to each production process.
One of the key decisions in many facilities is choosing the right type of freezing tunnel.
Although often used interchangeably, freezing tunnels and deep-freezing tunnels serve different technical purposes.
Understanding these differences is essential to optimize performance, product quality, and energy efficiency.
What Is a Freezing Tunnel?
A freezing tunnel is a system designed to lower the product temperature to freezing levels (typically between –18 °C and –35 °C) within a controlled time frame.
It operates through forced air circulation, progressively and evenly extracting heat from the product.
Its main purpose is to preserve the structure and properties of the food or material by avoiding large ice crystal formation and protecting texture and integrity.
Typical Applications:
- Food products (meat, vegetables, bakery, ready meals).
- Pharmaceutical and biotechnological industries.
- Temporary preservation of intermediate products.
What Is a Deep-Freezing Tunnel?
Deep-freezing is a much faster and more intense process. Deep-freezing tunnels are designed to reach temperatures down to –70 °C, freezing the product in just minutes while retaining its original quality almost intact.
This ultra-rapid cooling prevents large ice crystal formation inside the cells, preserving the texture, color, flavor, and nutritional value of the product.
Typical Applications:
- High-value or premium foods (seafood, gourmet meals, export fruits).
- Pharmaceutical and chemical processes sensitive to temperature.
- Preparations requiring individual quick freezing (IQF).
Key Differences Between Freezing and Deep-Freezing
| Feature | Freezing Tunnel | Deep-Freezing Tunnel |
| Operating Temperature | –18 °C to –35 °C | –40 °C to –70 °C |
| Process Speed | Hours | Minutes |
| Product Preservation | High | Maximum |
| Energy Consumption | Moderate | Higher (depending on volume) |
| Application Type | General or standard | High-demand or sensitive product |
| Installation Cost | Lower | Higher initial investment |
| Thermal Control | Precise | Extremely precise |
Both systems are effective, but the choice depends on product characteristics, production capacity, and quality requirements.
Which One to Choose?
If the goal is to efficiently preserve large volumes of product, freezing tunnels are the right choice.
If the objective is to maximize texture, structure, and sensory quality, or when individual quick freezing (IQF) is required, deep-freezing is the ideal solution.
At GasN2, we carry out personalized feasibility studies, analyzing technical, thermal, and energy parameters to identify the technology that provides the best balance between performance, consumption, and final quality.
GasN2 Tunnel Technical Features
Our freezing and deep-freezing tunnels are designed with high-efficiency proprietary technology, without using consumables or cryogenic gases, ensuring continuous, safe, and sustainable operation.
Key Features:
- Adjustable temperature range up to –70 °C.
- Modular and adaptable design for any industrial environment.
- Digital control and remote 4.0 monitoring.
- Precise air flow management for uniform freezing.
- Low maintenance and long operational life.
- Robust construction with advanced thermal insulation materials.
Thanks to this technology, our systems deliver maximum thermal performance, low energy consumption, and full process traceability.
Request a Feasibility Study
Every production process is unique.
That’s why at GasN2 we analyze each customer’s needs to provide the most efficient and cost-effective solution.
Request a feasibility study and discover which type of tunnel —freezing or deep-freezing— best fits your process, ensuring maximum quality, safety, and energy efficiency: https://gasn2.com/en/contact/
