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Heat transfer innovations

11 July 2024

Jean-Michel Ingles looks at some heat transfer innovations that are helping food and beverage processors keep up with fast changing consumer demand, while ensuring food safety.

Heat transfer is fundamental in modern food processing technique, helping to ensure superior food safety and hygiene. By manipulating temperature, food and beverage processors can kill pathogens and create high-quality products with a long shelf life. 

Effective heat transfer in food processing hinges on several key variables. These include the starting and target temperature of the product and any associated heat transfer media, product viscosity and heat sensitivity, heat transfer surface availability and flow rates, among other things. 

From a food safety perspective, pasteurisation requires products to achieve certain temperatures and be maintained for the right amount of time. This prevents the growth of microorganisms that can lead to food spoilage. Considering the application, direct methods (injection or infusion of steam) or indirect methods using plated, scraped surface or tubular heat exchangers can be employed.

Cleaning routines are also integral to maintaining hygienic operations. Regular cleaning schedules prevent contamination and buildup. However, inadequate heat transfer components can increase fouling and the need for cleaning. This results in more downtime, decreased energy efficiency, less yield and higher costs. 

Maximising operating systems
Innovations in heat transfer equipment have emerged to help processors maximise their operating systems stemming from real-world feedback. Reducing product fouling has been one of the key areas of focus. This includes updating designs to streamline systems, like the APV Seamless Infusion Vessel for UHT infusion systems, which processes products such as dairy, plant-based beverages and specialised nutrition foods. This update boasts a 20% longer runtime between cleaning and maintenance interruptions, maintaining safety standards. 

Automation is another area of innovation in heat transfer and cleaning. Automated systems take the guesswork out of cleaning and schedules, ensuring consistently thorough maintenance. New tools can also cut downtime and labour. APV’s Automated FastFrame, for example, opens and closes plated heat exchangers with a button using an electrically driven PLC-controlled frame, reducing what traditionally has taken hours into just minutes. 

Other heat transfer technology advances provide customers with more data and metrics. By incorporating sensors and IO-link solutions, operators harness data with AI to adjust and optimise systems. Smart technology solutions are helping unlock real-time monitoring and adjustments based on the changing mix of external variables around a system. IO-Link and similar solutions connect sensors to automation systems, allowing data to flow from hygienic valves for increased reliability. 

Jean-Michel Ingles is Director of Solutions Management Nutrition & Health at SPX Flow.


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