INOXPA has developed a new range of heat treatment equipment, aimed mainly at the dairy industry, based on the high temperature-short time (HTST)-type heat exchangers commonly used in this sector.
The units are modular and assembled on skids, the equipment is semi-automatic, which means that it is easy to handle and can rapidly be started-up.
This equipment can be used to perform the following processes related to the dairy industry: heat treatment of milk for storage and subsequent production, pasteurisation of milk for packaging as short shelf life fresh milk, pasteurisation of milk for the production of cheese and yoghurt, and pasteurisation of cream, whey and other derivatives.
It is designed to handle flows of 500, 1000, 2000,3000 and 5000 l/h and can be configured with various treatment stages, including heating only, heating and cooling, energy recovery–heat and cool, and with a fourth stage with an outlet for skimming, sterilisation and homogenisation units.
The basic unit consists of a sanitary product pump, a 316 stainless steel heat exchanger with a 304 stainless steel frame, an automatic three-way divert valve, a 15-30 s holding tube, a 100 l tank, a modulating valve for hot water and a stainless steel control panel with a temperature regulator and a paper recorder.
All these components are mounted on a 304 stainless steel skid.
All the parts in contact with the product are manufactured in 304L stainless steel and the equipment is TIG welded.
Optional extras include:
• Steam/water based hot water generation circuit.
• Product pump with variable speed drive, by means of a frequency converter inside the control panel.
• Automatic pasteurisation flow control with an electromagnetic flow meter and variable frequency converter.
• Electronic video recorder.
These units can be slightly modified to be used for the heat treatment of other products, such as pasteurisation of fruit juices and suspended solid-free milk-containing juices, pasteurisation and termisation of wine, pasteurisation of infusions, etc.
INOXPA designs in-line dosing and mixing equipment for the foodprocessing industry. The basic components of this equipment include sanitary pumps with frequency converter as well as sanitary modulating control valves depending on every application, high shear or static mixers, electromagnetic or mass flow meters, control systems with a recipe management option and other auxiliary components like dosing pumps and analytical devices.
There are three common applications in the dairy industry where the above mentioned components can be used.
For example, manufacturers of liquid yoghurt often need to add fruit or jam to the yoghurt. In-line dosing and mixing requires two positivedisplacement pumps, up to two mass flow meters and a static in-line mixer to homogenise the final product.
Similarly, production of solid yoghurt fermented in chambers that requires the addition of flavouring uses similar equipment to that described above but one of the positive displacement pumps is replaced with a membrane or piston dosing pump with the analogical control for speed variation. Another typical unit is designed to standardise milk and cream. Milk and cream are mixed according to the customer’s specifications using modulating flow control valves and mass flow meters to measure the density and flow rate. This type of equipment is also used in specific applications such as the addition of vegetable oil, retentates or permeates obtained by ultrafiltration etc., to milk, and is usually installed after a skimming separation centrifuge.
Sauce manufacturers also use this type of equipment to mix different types of vegetable oils (soy, palm, sunflower, olive, etc.), and fruit juice manufacturers use a similar system based on positive displacement pumps, mass flow meters and an in-line or static mixer, depending on the final product, and an analytical instrument to measure ºBx, to blend fruit juice concentrates with softened or purified water and various nonconcentrated fruit juices.
This type of equipment can also be used to prepare pre-emulsions for the sauce production, blendings for beers and soft drinks and milk-containing fruit juices, to mix liquid sweeteners and flavours for confectionery, etc.
Designing the new PROLAC HCP, special emphasis was placed on improving its hygienic design, thanks to which this pump has been awarded the prestigious EHEDG as well as 3A certification.
An ATEX version will also be available for working in potentially explosive atmospheres.
The main feature of this new family is a larger number of models available, which has increased to 12 different hydraulic versions. This means that the working range can be increased to reach higher heads and flows, making it possible to choose a pump that is much better suited to the expected working conditions, thus reducing the size of the pump and the working power required for the application.
Regarding the hydraulic design, a special effort has been made to improve the performance of each model and to reduce the noise generated by the pump itself, an aspect which is becoming increasingly important. This has proved possible partly due to the use of advanced fluid simulation technologies and an exhaustive testing programme.
This family will later be completed with a self-priming (PROLAC HCP SP) and a highpressure (PROLAC HCP HP) versions.
The valve is NC (normally closed) so that in case of a failure of the compressed air supply the valve returns to its safety position.
The detector is installed as NO (normally open), so that when the valve is closed it lets the product out, thus giving a signal of leakage.
The seat is provided with two gaskets, between which a safety or detection chamber with a direct outlet to the exterior via the detector is formed.
Compressed air must simultaneously be supplied to the actuator (to open the valve) and to the detector in order to close the detector and prevent any loss of product.
Small amounts of product may be lost at the moment of the valve actuation, an air flow regulator can be installed to synchronise the actuator/detector’s opening/closing times to minimize these losses.
The valve is excellent for flow control as well as for open/close duties. The V-shaped profile is characterized by a straight through flow path that minimises turbulence, better drainability and greater flow, thus achieving a more stable product speed.
Its excellent performance in applications with particles and lesser cavitation in processes that require a better Kv factor due to installation problems are also worth mentioning.
The valve is controlled and regulatedby a compact hermetic pneumatic actuator.
According to the REACH regulations, the INOXPA Group is classified as an intermediate user, defined as any individual or corporation established in the European Union, other than a manufacturer and/or importer, who uses the substance as such, or in a prepared form, as part of their industrial or professional activity.
As an intermediate user, the INOXPA Group takes into account the following considerations:
• Define its position with respect to REACH: the substances are only used as part of the manufacturing process.
• Check their uses: the use of these substances is included in the Register as an identified use.
Thus, the INOXPA Group has established that ALL substances and preparations used in its manufacturing processes that are covered by the REACH regulations have been preregistered
