Process Capabilities
- Operation of a continuous HTST pasteurisation plant using selected liquid foods
- Learning the importance of Clean-In-Place (CIP) procedures
- Varying and controlling holding times
- Measuring heat transfer coefficients in a plate heat exchanger, for various plate and gasket configurations
- Measuring heat recovery in a regenerator
Features/Benefits
- Miniature plate heat exchanger
- Fully self-contained design with integral hot water system
- Choice of holding tubes
- Variable product temperature and holding time
- Control console incorporating comprehensive instrumentation
- CIP facility benchtop operation
- Tests can be carried out quickly and easily
- Simulates the conditions used in a production plant
- Small quantities of liquid product can be processed
Description
This self-contained laboratory unit is suitable for HTST
(high temperature, short time) pasteurisation of up to 20 litres/hour of a wide variety of low-viscosity liquid foods. Products that may be pasteurised include raw milk, nectars, fruit juices, skimmed milk,
ice-cream mix, soft drinks, pharmaceuticals and margarine emulsion.
A CIP (clean-in-place) facility is incorporated which allows disinfection, pre-rinsing, detergent washing and final rinsing. The ability to vary process conditions has been built into the unit in the form of the following features:
- Variable speed, peristaltic, hygienic feed pump allowing flow rate variations
- Plate-type stainless steel heat exchanger – the cooling, regenerating and heating sections, mounted on a common frame work, are easily dismantled to allow re-configuration and inspection of the heat transfer surfaces
- Electrically heated hot water circulating system for both pasteurisation and CIP cycles – any required holding tube outlet temperature is set on the indicating microprocessor-based power output controller of the water heater
- Stainless steel holding tube, allowing holding times between five seconds and two minutes
- Flow rates of feed pump, cooling water and hot water are monitored accurately
- Temperatures in the system are monitored with thermocouple sensors at each of six chosen locationss (nine available)
- Maximum process temperature 85°C