Pasteurisation Skid or Flash Pasteuriser

A pasteurisation skid is a pre-assembled, self-contained unit designed for the heat treatment of liquids, particularly food and beverage products, to eliminate or significantly reduce harmful microorganisms like bacteria, yeasts, and moulds. This process extends shelf life and ensures the safety of the final product.

Key Components:

• Heat Exchanger: The heart  of the skid, the heat exchanger transfers heat from a hot water or steam source to the liquid product flowing through a separate channel within the exchanger. Plate heat exchangers are commonly used due to their efficiency and ease of cleaning.
• Product Pump: Pumps the liquid product through the heat exchanger for continuous flow and heat treatment.
• Flow Control System: Regulates the flow rate of the product within the heat exchanger to ensure proper residence time at the target temperature for effective pasteurisation.
• Temperature Control System: Monitors and regulates the temperature of the heating medium (hot water or steam) to achieve and maintain the desired pasteurisation temperature for the specific product.
• Holding Tube (Optional): In some applications, a holding tube might be included to ensure the      product remains at the pasteurisation temperature for a specific time, crucial for effective microbial inactivation.
• Flash Pasteurisation is also an option  when volatile flavour compounds need to be considered 
• Cooling System (Optional): If needed, a cooling section within the heat exchanger or a separate      cooler can be used to rapidly cool the product after pasteurisation to prevent spoilage.
• Instrumentation and Control System: Sensors monitor product temperature, flow rate, and pressure throughout the process. A control system ensures the pasteurisation conditions are      met by adjusting flow rates, valve positions, and heating medium temperature.
• Sanitary Design and Materials: All components of the pasteurisation skid are constructed from high-grade,  sanitary stainless steel to prevent contamination and facilitate cleaning  and sanitation procedures.

Operation of a Pasteurisation Skid:

1. Product Feed: The liquid  product to be pasteurised is pumped into the skid through the inlet      piping.
2. Heating: The product pump pushes the liquid through the heat exchanger, where it is heated by the hot water or steam flowing through the separate channel.
3. Pasteurisation: The product reaches and maintains the desired pasteurisation temperature for a      specific time period (holding time) to ensure proper microbial inactivation.
4. Cooling (Optional): Depending on the product and process requirements, the pasteurised product      might be cooled rapidly after the holding time to prevent spoilage.
5. Pasteurised Product Outlet: The treated product exits the skid through the outlet piping and is      directed for further processing or packaging.

Benefits of a Pasteurisation Skid:

• Pre-assembled and Compact: Easy to install and integrate into existing production lines.
• Efficient Pasteurisation: Achieves consistent and effective inactivation of microorganisms.
• Sanitary Design: Minimises  the risk of contamination and simplifies cleaning procedures.
• Automated Operation: Reduces manual intervention and ensures consistent process control.
• Scalable: Skid sizes can be designed to match various production capacities.

Selection Factors for a Pasteurisation Skid:

• Product Flow Rate: The skid capacity must be sufficient to handle the desired product volume.
• Pasteurisation Requirements:The skid needs to achieve the specific temperature and holding time      required for effective pasteurisation of the target product.
• Product Properties: Viscosity, heat sensitivity, and potential fouling of the heat exchanger      need to be considered.
• Available Space: The skid's footprint should fit comfortably within the designated installation      area.
• Budget: Pasteurisation skids vary in cost depending on size, complexity, and desired features.

By understanding the technical description, operation, benefits, and selection factors of pasteurisation skids, you can make informed decisions when choosing this vital equipment for ensuring food and beverage safety in various processing applications.