Heat flux freezer control apparatus and method

An apparatus for reducing the temperature of a product, comprising:

• a housing having a chamber therein, and an inlet and an outlet in communication with the chamber;
• a plurality of zones in the chamber between the inlet and the outlet, each one of the plurality of zones having a corresponding heat transfer rate atmosphere and said plurality of zones being arranged in descending order of heat transfer rate atmospheres from the inlet to the outlet;
• a heat transfer apparatus disposed in the chamber at each one of the plurality of zones, the heat transfer apparatus selected from at least one of a fan, a cryogenic spray nozzle, and combinations thereof;
• a conveyor assembly for transferring the product from the inlet through the plurality of zones to the outlet;
• a controller in communication with the chamber, the plurality of zones, the heat transfer apparatus, the conveyor assembly and the heat transfer rate atmospheres, the controller having stored therein data of physical characteristics and a heat transfer profile of the product to adjust and control the heat transfer rate atmospheres for the product, such that a heat transfer rate of the product will decrease as the product is transferred from the inlet through each one of the plurality of zones to the outlet;
• and
• a sensor disposed at each of the chamber, the plurality of zones, the heat transfer apparatus, the conveyor assembly and the heat transfer rate atmospheres, and communicating with the controller for transeiving signals therewith.