Product category:
Food Processing News
News Release from: GEA Process Engineering
Edited by the Processingtalk Editorial
Team on 07 June 2006
Making good hygiene easy to achieve
All modern plants are designed to meet hygiene regulations; now in the 21st Century the ease of use and the way in which good design enhances plant productivity and quality is what really counts
Hygiene in food processing plants is essential: the relentless demand for food products that meet physical, chemical and bacteriological requirements, including HACCP, IPPC, ATEX and others, has led to processing lines that meet the strictest requirements Whether a plant meets the required standard is not in question - but the most efficient and effective way of achieving that standard exercises the minds of GEA engineers continually - it's all a question of design
This article was originally published on Processingtalk on 18 Apr 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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All the GEA Group companies work hard to improve continually the technology employed and the design features of their equipment to ensure the best possible balance between production and product quality demands, and plant hygiene.
Some processes are fundamental and some more innovative.
Niro, for example, understands the importance of keeping dry and wet processing separate; plus clear zoning of pasteurised and non-pasteurised and hygienic and non-hygienic areas to avoid cross contamination.
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Narrowspan atomiser for uniform-sized particles
Narrowspan achieves uniform-sized particles, creating a largely dust free, easily wettable product with a high flowability, from a rotary atomiser wheel
New even tablet coater for small batch projects
The Niro Pharma Systems new tablet coating system promises to achieve a step forward in the even-ness of tablet coating and make the production of small batches for R + D more cost effective
Niro Track and Trace systems follow product throughout processing to identify ingredients and their origin at any step.
But it is in the area of plant design that the true value of innovation is seen: Automatic CIP (Clean in Place) systems provide thorough, repeatable, efficient and documented cleaning of the production line.
Falling film evaporators have components mounted for optimum functionality and drainage with the minimum of surface exposure to the product.
Homogenisers from Niro Soavi are designed with rounded, polished surfaces to reduce contamination and have separate atomisers cleaned in a specially designed CIP stand, separate, but integrated in the main CIP circuit.
Spray dryers have removable insulation to allow regular inspections and reduce the risk of contamination.
Sanicip bag filters are completely CIP-able.
Fluid bed dryers use the patented Bubble Plate that has no crevices to trap contamination and allows easy, precise powder transport.
Colby Powder Systems design storage systems that avoid contamination, have tool-free access, and are made from lightweight, food-grade materials.
Avapac bag filling equipment made to be easy to clean, disassemble and service.
In all areas of food production the GEA companies take hygiene seriously.
It's not just a question of designing plant to meet the hygiene regulations; in the 21st Century it's the ease of use and the way in which good design enhances productivity and quality that really counts.
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