In-Line Deaerator

In-Line Deaerator

MINIATURE-SCALE R&D TECHNOLOGY
FT51 Continuous In-line Deaerator

The Armfield FT51 Continuous In-line Deaerator unit has been designed to enable small quantities of food and other liquid products to be processed conveniently in the laboratory. It can be used as a stand alone batch deaerator or in-line with one of the Armfield continuous processing systems such as the FT74XTS or the FT174X. The unit is designed to mirror the industrial processes of vacuum deaeration.

Features

• Batch Processing
• Continuous in-line Processing
• Autofilling of vessel
• Clean In Place (CIP)
• Easy to use
• Touch screen control
– Full colour high resolution (800 x 480)
– Displays process flow diagrams and actual status
• Automatic operation
• Full compatibility with existing Armfield UHT systems
• Controllable vacuum level
• Spray or disc deaeration (batch mode only)
• Integrated water feed control for ease of UHT start up
• Vacuum levels down to -0.95 bar
• Deaeration capabilities of down to 0.5ppm Dissolved O₂

Benefits

> Enhancement of product appearance (texture, colour and/or clarity)
> Preventing possible oxidation of colours, flavours, or nutritional compounds during heat treatment.
> Improving shelf-life by reducing in package oxidation risks.
> Reducing potential usage of antioxidants in packaged products
> Reducing foaming during processing and/or filling
> Improving accuracy and reducing package volumes during filling
> Removing dissolved gases enabling increased carbonation levels in carbonated products.

Applications

Dairy, Ingredients, Liquid foods, Beverages.
• Baby foods
• Beer
• Cream
• Desserts and puddings
• Fruit and vegetable purees
• Fruit juices and cordials
• Gelatine products
• Gravies
• Health and nutritional products
• Milk
• Pharmaceuticals
• Sauces and soups
• Yogurts

Description

Typical FT51 screenshot

The FT51 may be sited in most production environments and is well suited to operation in the laboratory. Typical product throughput is 20 l/h but, depending on desired processing times; a wide range of flow rates may be used.

The FT51 offers both batch, where spray or disc based deaeration can be undertaken, or a continuous mode, where the system can be used in conjunction with other Armfield processing equipment.

Description of Operation

In batch mode the product is pumped from the vacuum vessel and then returned. As it re-enters the vessel it forms a thin film over a spreader disc, offering a large surface area to the vacuum, hence releasing dissolved gasses. As the product is recirculated over time, more gas is released.

When coupled to an Armfield Pasteurisation or UHT system, product can be drawn off at the rate required by the progressing cavity pump of the FT74X(TS) or FT174X. Product can either be drawn off until the vessel reaches its minimum limit, or the FT51 can automatically top up the vessel from an external container, using the vacuum to draw in the amount required to top up the vessel. The automatic level control maintains a volume of approximately 10 litres in the vessel.

This vacuum filling mode can also be used to fill the vessel initially, prior to either batch or continuous processing.

Some products benefit from spray deaeration and in batch mode the spreader disc can be replaced by the supplied purpose designed spray ball. This uses multiple nozzles to. produce a fine mist of product, enabling deaeration to be performed over the enhanced surface area of the small droplets.
The spray nozzle is also used in clean in place mode (CIP). This takes place under control of the Programmable Logic Controller (PLC). The valves are switched automatically to ensure all flow paths are thoroughly cleaned.

A feature of the Armfield unit is that the UHT system can be provided with a supply of water (or product) for start up whilst still connected to the FT51. Switching between the water supply and the vessel contents is quickly and cleanly achieved by a single press of the touch screen control. Similarly when the tank is emptied or when the operator wishes to finish the run, it can be easily switched back.

Performance

Continuous throughput: typically up to 20l/hr
Batch volume: 2-20l
Vessel volume: 30l
Vacuum level: to – 950 mbar (product dependent)
Deaeration performance: values of 0.5ppm dissolved O₂ can be achieved by recirculating the product over a period of time in batch mode

Requirements

Electrical Supply
FT51-A 220V-240V, 50Hz 10A
FT51-G 220V, 60Hz, 10A

Shipping Specification

Volume: 1.2m³
Gross weight: 230kg

Overall Dimensions

Height: 1.22m
Width: 0.50m
Depth: 0.86m