Processing

Diagonal Flow Plate Heat Exchanger Ensures

Gentle Treatment for
Tough Products
V
ISCOUS foods such as eggs, ice cream, yoghurt,
juices with short fibres and non-Newtonian
substances such as ketchup pose a challenge for
traditional plate heat exchangers. The presence of large fibres
or particulates increases the risk of fouling and the heat
treatment is not uniform (and even damaging to the flavours
of sensitive foods) due to the presence of dead areas that
trap solid matter.
Seeking to address these issues, APV has returned to the
drawing board and developed a new plate heat exchanger
that marries the latest elements of hygienic design with
additional features that deliver unprecedented efficiency and
ease of use. The result – the Vega V028 EasyFlow – was
introduced to Asia at this year’s ProPak Asia show in
Bangkok. Designed specifically for heating, cooling and
pasteurising highly viscous products, the Vega promises
gentle product treatment, longer run times and rapid
Cleaning-in-Place (CIP), resulting in higher line
output as well as better product quality in the
retention of volatile aromas and flavours.
Several proprietary design elements combine in the
Reduce fouling with a simple switch Vega VO28 EasyFlow plate heat exchanger to make it
Existing users of APV plate heat
a powerful new tool for beverage, dairy and sauce
exchanger systems can make the switch
quickly and painlessly. As Steve Townshend, processors who want the flexibility to meet future
APV Country Manager for Thailand, market trends as well as deliver better tasting
explained, “The Vega’s designed to fit in the products with minimal capital outlay.
existing frames of our customers, so by doing
a straightforward swap between this plate and
the old one, we are able to expand the range of products that Mr Townshend.
customers can produce without needing to make other
changes to the plant.” Gentle treatment for fuller body
The Vega reduces the risk of fouling by particulates With its wide plate gap, the Vega reduces the effect of
thanks to a large free-flow port inlet area as well as diagonal pressure hikes due to fouling while maintaining high thermal
product flow that eliminates dead areas. “The product flow efficiency. “This plate is made for low shear processing,”
enters the plate on the left hand side and exits on the right stated Mr Townshend. “When you get too much mechanical
side,” explained Mr Townshend. “This is how plate heat stress on a product that has been thickened such as yoghurt
exchangers were originally developed, and it’s the best design or starches, passing through a heat exchanger can be quite
for ensuring an even flow across the plate.” damaging.”
APV has also engineered the pattern of pressing on the By facilitating irrigation at low shear, products such as
plate to minimise contact points that could trap fibres from yoghurt can achieve good body using a smaller quantity of
products such as mango juice. “If you are using the same milk solids, while less starch would be needed for a starch-
machine to process different products, you don’t want fibres thickened sauce. According to Mr Townshend, these are
from one product cropping up in something else,” stressed examples of economic benefits made possible by the Vega,

FOOD & BEVERAGE ASIA OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2006 51

 Processing

system, with two points

of contact for tightening
to ensure accurate plate
alignment, as well as an
intuitive user interface
on a large touchscreen
backlit LCD. The Binary-
Drive frame also protects
plant personnel via a
visual recognition sys-
tem that disables the
Above: Easy-clip push-down tab locks allow for glue-free fitting and removal of Vega plates.
Below: Diagonal product flow from the left hand side to the right side of the plate ensures drive should anybody
an even flow without dead areas. come within range of the
frame during plate
whereby users can adjust a recipe to produce the same closing or opening. Furthermore, a pressure switch in the
product using fewer inputs or achieve a product with superior hydraulic system prevents damage due to excessive closing
body and mouthfeel using an existing formula. force; this safety feature also avoids damage due to operator
The reduced number of contact points on the plate (up to error, for example if the frame is programmed for 100 plates
80% less than earlier plates) also makes CIP-cycles shorter when in fact 102 plates are fitted. APV also offers the
and more effective as detergent distribution across the plate assurance of life-cycle testing of the closure mechanism
is enhanced. equivalent to 10 years of daily openings. Operators also have
direct access to any plate in the rack for quick inspection
Plate packing: aligned and maintenance without the need for component removal
and automated or tools.
APV has also
borrowed design charac- Built for flexibility in the future
teristics from the industrial Mr Townshend observes that producers in fast-changing
sector, where plate heat markets such as Thailand as no longer looking for sheer
exchangers are typically built volume-led capabilities. “They are not looking for line
for maximum efficiency. In and lines of machines churning out the same product
contrast to conventional lugs or – they are looking for one plant with flexibility,” he
spots of rubber that are pushed into noted, “If tomorrow, your director calls and says
holes, the Vega incorporates patented we need to do this new product, you don’t have
EasyClip gaskets that APV says offer the to tear down your factory and start again.”
simplest and fastest form of gasket In introducing the Vega as well as other
attachment yet devised. Glue-free, the gasket technologies such as steam infusion
can be repetitively fitted and removed as needed systems, APV is hoping to meet this
without damage by simply pushing down (or up) growing need for market-led
clips onto a specially pressed fitting in the plate. versatility. “People are looking for
Speedy turn around is also catered for by a flexibility,” stated Mr Townshend
patented clamping system, a plate alignment mechanism in closing. “They are buying a
that ensures the plate pack can be assembled rapidly plant to process many
without misalignment. “When you have a lot of plates in a different products and for
plate pack, the harder it is to get them all inline when you products they haven’t
are tightening them up,” explained Mr Townshend. “The even thought of.” With
Vega plates are designed to interlock, with a special fitting its in-built ability to
in each corner, so they are self-aligning.” facilitate the flow of
The Vega comes in two lengths: a shorter VO17 plate difficult product and reduce
that can replace the earlier SR2 plate in its frame, and a VO28 turn-around time, the Vega
plate that fits into APV’s new Binary-Drive frame. This is presents a solution that will allow users
an intelligent frame that optimises plate performance and “to expand their range of products without spending a whole
gasket life, opening and closing with PLC-guided precision lot of money.”
at the push of a button. The frame incorporates a fail safe Enquiry No: 034

52 FOOD & BEVERAGE ASIA OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2006