When it comes to food processing, efficiency and quality are key. This article will dive into what industrial votators and scraped surface heat exchangers are, and how this equipment is transforming the production of edible fats and oils in the food industry.
Industrial Votators: Industrial votators are specialized machines used for the crystallization and fractionation of fats and oils. The process involves controlled cooling of the liquid fat or oil to induce crystallization, followed by mechanical agitation to separate the crystalline fractions from the liquid phase. The key components of a votator include a cooling system, a crystallization chamber, and a mechanical agitator.
Image from Genemco:
How They Work:
- Crystallization: The liquid fat or oil is pumped into the crystallization chamber, where it undergoes controlled cooling. This gradual cooling encourages the formation of crystalline structures within the fat or oil.
- Mechanical Agitation: Once the desired level of crystallization is achieved, the mechanical agitator comes into play. It rotates within the crystallization chamber, breaking up the crystalline masses and separating them from the liquid phase.
- Fractionation: The separated crystalline fractions are then collected and processed further, while the liquid phase undergoes additional treatments or is collected separately.
Applications: Industrial votators find widespread applications in the production of various edible fats and oils, including palm oil, margarine, and shortening. By precisely controlling the crystallization process, manufacturers can tailor the properties of the final product to meet specific requirements such as texture, consistency, and melting point.
Scraped Surface Heat Exchangers: Scraped surface heat exchangers (SSHEs) are another critical component in the food processing industry, particularly in the refining and cooling of fats and oils. These devices are designed to efficiently transfer heat between two fluids while maintaining high levels of turbulence to prevent fouling and ensure uniform heat distribution.
Image from Genemco:
How They Work:
- Heat Transfer: The SSHE consists of a cylindrical shell containing a series of heat exchange plates. One fluid, typically the product being processed, flows through the narrow channels between the plates, while the other fluid, often a cooling medium such as water or refrigerant, circulates around the outside of the plates.
- Scraping Action: As the product flows through the channels, rotating blades or scrapers scrape the product off the surface of the plates. This scraping action helps prevent fouling by removing any buildup of product or impurities on the heat exchange surfaces.
- Efficient Cooling: By maintaining turbulent flow and preventing fouling, SSHEs ensure efficient heat transfer between the two fluids, allowing for rapid cooling or heating of the product as needed.
Applications: SSHEs are widely used in the food industry for processes such as refining edible fats and oils, pasteurization of dairy products, and cooling of confectionery products like chocolate and caramel. Their ability to maintain precise temperature control and prevent fouling makes them indispensable in ensuring product quality and consistency.
Industrial votators and scraped surface heat exchangers represent two indispensable technologies in the food processing industry. By facilitating precise control over crystallization and fractionation processes, votators enable manufacturers to tailor the properties of fats and oils to meet specific requirements. Similarly, scraped surface heat exchangers play a vital role in refining and cooling processes, ensuring efficient heat transfer and maintaining product quality. Together, these technologies contribute to enhancing efficiency, consistency, and quality in food processing operations.
