Tunnel Pasteurizer, Warmer, Cooler

CONTAINERS THERMAL TREATMENT

BY MEANS OF TUNNEL PASTEURIZER, RE-COOLER OR WARMER

TUNNEL THERMAL TREATMENT CONCEPT

Generally speaking, pasteurization is a thermal treatment of food and beverage, which allows to eliminate microbiological organisms. (Louis Pasteur)

This treatment is required for two reasons:

◦ To obtain a safe product for the human consumption;

◦ To improve the shelf life.

Tunnel pasteurizer allows these treatment directly on the filled containers.

It consists of a stainless steel “tunnel” where water is sprayed onto the containers (typically bottles and cans) transported by a conveyor.

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TUNNEL THERMAL TREATMENT CONCEPT

Inside the tunnel, containers pass through a temperature path, or thermal profile, which eliminates the bacteria and other microorganisms, like yeasts, which would alter the organoleptic properties of the product.

Those microorganisms, responsible of product quality deterioration, are latent in water, soft drinks, fruit juices, cocktails, beer, etc., and could have been transported inside the container through the air or through the container itself, if not previously sterilized.

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CONSTRUCTION FEATURES

CONSTRUCTION FEATURES

VIEW OF THE STAINLESS STEEL STRUCTURE, PUMPS AND PIPING RECOVERY SYSTEM AND THE SPRAY PIPES DISTRIBUTION OF A DOUBLE DECK TUNNEL PASTEURIZER.

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WORKING PRINCIPLE OF TUNNEL PASTEURIZER

EXAMPLE OF THERMAL PATH, INCLUDING THE DIFFERENT THERMAL ZONES AND HOLDING TIMES.

GENERAL DESIGN

CALCULATION PARAMETERS & CRITICALITY

The calculation of a TP is taking in consideration different parameters:

◦ Type of container (exchange coefficient);

◦ Diameter of container;

◦ Volume of container;

◦ Type of product;

◦ Viscosity <2cPs (*);

◦ Speed of the line;

◦ Thermal cycle.

CALCULATION PARAMETERS &

CRITICALITY

(*) Viscosity <2cPs

Viscosity is essential, because it allows (within the established value) the convective motions inside the container, and therefore allows the shower’ temperature to reach the heart of the product.

WARMING TUNNEL

WARMING TUNNELS AIM IS TO INCREASE CANS/BOTTLES TEMPERATURE.

THIS TYPE OF TUNNEL IS MAINLY USED FOR

SPARKLING WINE AND SOFT DRINKS.

OPTIONALS (For tunnel pasteurization only)

APUCS – AUTOMATIC PASTEURIZATION UNIT CONTROL SYSTEM

APUCS operates in case of system stoppage in order to limit the increase of PU.

If stoppage occurs, after a settable time, cold water is sprayed on the bottles/cans in order to low the temperature, avoiding an over pasteurization which could compromise the product characteristics.

Cold water is stored inside the tunnel in closed basins, ready to be used, in order to intervene in the shortest possible time.

APUCS

OPTIONALS

Alternative system to avoid direct entry of steam into the tunnel. This device allows to recycle the condensate towards the steam generator and maintain the temperature of the process water, by means of a modulating valve and thermoregulation.

HEAT EXCHANGERS FOR CONDENSATE RECOVERY

PLC – ELECTRICAL CONTROL SYSTEM

The electrical switchboard is made of AISI 304 according to IP 54 water proof class. On the switchboard panel are mounted an operator panel with colour monitor for plant supervision.

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