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The bottle pasteurization tunnel is not only a bottle pasteurizer; it can also cool the bottles. It is a key piece of equipment used in the food and beverage industry to heat and cool bottles of beverages and foods that are packaged in bottles. This piece of equipment is designed to make sure that the content in the bottle is heated to a certain temperature to kill any microorganisms that may affect the beverage or food item.
This is done by passing the bottle through a tunnel that has water sprays or heaters in it. The bottle is first exposed to water or heat to make sure that the microorganisms are killed, and then it is exposed to cooling water so that it cools down. This kind of method is called High-temperature short-time (HTST) pasteurization. In some cases, in bottle pasteurization tunnels, refrigeration may be used to cool down the beverage bottle.
The ideal material for a bottle pasteurization tunnel is stainless steel because, during the process, a lot of water will be spilled, and there may be some corrosion from the beverages, especially from acidic beverages like some fruit juices.
There are mainly two types of bottle pasteurization tunnels:
In addition to these types of bottle pasteurization tunnels, there are also hybrid pasteurization tunnels in which water is sprayed, and sometimes hot air is used to heat the bottles. In some cases, electric heaters are used to heat the water that is sprayed onto the bottles.
Specifications
Maintenance tips
Bottle pasteurization tunnels are commonly used in the food and beverage industry and have the following application scenarios.
Mass production lines
For bottling plants with high output requirements, such as beer breweries, soft drink factories, and dairy farms, bottle pasteurization tunnels can be integrated into production lines to ensure consistent quality and safety of the product while efficiently pasteurizing at a large scale.
Variety production line
Bottle pasteurization tunnels are suitable for plants that need to pasteurize various products. The pasteurization temperature, time, and cooling parameters of the tunnel can be adjusted to suit different products, ensuring that various beverages are safely handled.
Pre-packaged meal industry
In the pre-packaged meal industry, bottle pasteurization tunnels can also be used for pasteurizing and sterilizing bottled sauces, soup beverages, etc. Using pasteurization tunnels can extend the shelf life of the products and ensure the microbiological safety of the meals.
Export product line
For food and beverage products that need to meet international export standards, bottle pasteurization tunnels are critical equipment to help ensure product safety and quality compliance and facilitate product export.
Research and development
Bottle pasteurization tunnels can also be used in research and development laboratories. For example, pasteurization to study the effects of different conditions on product quality, taste preservation, nutrition, etc., in order to develop new products or improve existing products.
Organic product line
Organic food production lines require special processing and certification. Bottle pasteurization tunnels can be used to ensure that organic beverages meet safety and quality standards while preserving their organic properties.
When buying a bottle pasteurization tunnel for business needs, the first step is to define the business needs and application. Consider the industry bottle expiration and the bottle content's nature. Additionally, identify the bottle shapes and sizes that need pasteurization. Bottles with different shapes and sizes sometimes require special design features to handle them. Also, look into the volume and throughputs of the bottle that the tunnel will handle. This includes considering the maximum and minimum capacities of the bottle. The flow rate should also be considered. This is important to ensure the tunnel can accommodate the bottling speed of the production line.
The next step is to research available machine types. The three most common pasteurization tunnel types are conveyor, intermittent, and rotary pasteurization tunnels. Each machine has its benefits and ideal application. A conveyor tunnel is ideal for high-production facilities. An intermittent tunnel would work well for businesses dealing with low production. On the other hand, a rotary pasteurization tunnel is suitable when space is an issue, and there is a need for high efficiency.
When exploring available pasteurization tunnels, pay attention to the construction materials. These materials and the manufacturing processes' quality will affect the machine's performance and durability. Find a tunnel that is easy to install, operate, maintain, and clean.
Finally, find a tunnel that is energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. Such tunnels have smart technologies that automatically and quickly start and stop the heating and cooling processes.
Q1: What is the difference between pasteurization and sterilization in a bottle pasteurization tunnel?
A1: The primary difference between pasteurization and sterilization is that pasteurization only kills specific pathogenic microorganisms without necessarily rendering the beverage completely free of all microbes. Pasteurization helps avoid altering the drink's taste and quality. Conversely, sterilization aims to achieve complete microbial death, which may, in some cases, adversely affect the product's quality.
Q2: What is the cooling process in a bottle pasteurization tunnel?
A2: After the bottles are reheated in the pasteurization section, they proceed to the cooling section. In some tunnels, the cooling section is normally longer than the heating and pasteurization sections. This is important for products that require rapid cooling immediately after pasteurization so they can avoid thermal damage. In the cooling section, cold water is sprayed over the bottles. In some tunnels, the cooling water is further circulated in a closed-loop reservoir where it is cooled further using a chiller.
Q3: What are the recent developments in bottle pasteurization tunnel technology?
A3: Recent developments in bottle pasteurization tunnel technology include the shift from water to air for heating in the bottle pasteurization tunnel. Air heating is preferred because it reduces operating costs. Also, there is minimal water waste and lower environmental impact. Moreover, air heating enhances energy recovery and recirculation due to the closed-loop system.