Pasteurization of products by injection of several streams of steam at right angles to product flow at following points in flow line.

摘要

A steam injection module (4) consists of a steam pipe crossing the product line along a diameter of the latter. Injection holes are drilled into the steam pipe where it crosses the product line. A number of these modules are placed along the product line in a manner that passes the steam lines along differently oriented diameters of the product line. Static mixing disks may be placed between modules. Steam lines are individually controlled. The lines are cleaned between batches by passing cleaning material through them either from valve (17) or valve (14). All foodstuffs capable of being pumped can be treated and hence the material for the product line is preferably polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) to reduce friction. The steam line is also plastic and welded to the product line for reasons of hygiene. Steam at about 150 deg C is used. A treatment over 120 hours can be carried out without the need to clean the installation.