Tetra Pak updates its therm aseptic processor
Used for processing products such as milk, flavoured milk, cream, yoghurt drinks, buffalo milk and formulated dairy products, as well as juice, soy milk, tea and coffee, the technology is available as a stand-alone piece, or as part of an integrated Tetra Pak line.
Maria Norlin, Product Manager, Tetra Pak, told DairyReporter.com the updated version has been improved to increase efficiency, reduce cost and minimize environmental impact.
Lower operating costs
“Earlier this year we released the new version of Tetra Therm Aseptic Flex 1, which focused on delivering solid performance with low investment cost,” she said.
“The purpose of this latest technology was to expand the Tetra Therm Aseptic Flex portfolio further and improve performance of our units.
“The new version is a direct response to our customers’ need for UHT processing that has lower operating costs, lower environmental impact and a higher efficiency.
“This is why most of the revised features relate to utility savings and CIP (cleaning-in-place) optimization.”
The machine comes with a sensor monitored clean-in-place (CIP) and IntelliCIP 2.0*, that carries out cleaning based on actual need rather than at pre-set times.
Piston seal lifespan
The phases of pre-sterilization (when the aseptic area is being sterilized) and hibernation (when the operation is paused) has also been modified.
This means it can by-pass and stop the homogenizer and deaerator, extending the life of the piston seal by as much as three times during pre-sterilization and a reduction in energy and water consumption by 80% during hibernation.
A closed circuit of cooling medium in the deaerator reduces water consumption by 5,500 litres in 15,000 litre/h unit.
Norlin denied an increasing demand for extended shelf life products played a part in the decision to modernize the Tetra Therm Aseptic Flex.
“Shelf life is a very important factor in Tetra Pak’s UHT business but in this particular instance it wasn’t a driving factor in the modernisation of the Tetra Therm Aseptic Flex,” she added.
* international patent pending, WO2013092414
