Application Areas / Food and Hygienic Applications
Hygiene is of utmost importance in food substances. For this reason, Heat Exchangers used in food applications are manufactured entirely from stainless steel. The food substance only comes into contact with stainless surfaces and special seals that have received food-grade certification (FDA). Some of the systems used in this area include:
Milk Pasteurization
Milk, being a staple food item, is difficult to store healthily for extended periods right from its production and collection. Hence, various methods have been tried throughout history to extend its shelf life, with pasteurization technology ultimately being developed. Pasteurization is the process of quickly heating milk to high temperatures and then rapidly cooling it down. This inactivates the bacteria present in the milk, thereby extending its shelf life. MIT Plate Exchangers are designed in multiple stages to be suitable for Pasteurization. The greatest advantage of using plate exchangers in pasteurization is achieving high regeneration values. The milk circulates within the plate exchanger, allowing for heat transfer as the hot milk coming from heating collides with the cold milk going to cooling in the regeneration stage. This energy-efficient and time-saving system completes the process much more quickly and at much lower costs. The multi-stage MIT Plate Exchangers are designed with hygienic inlets and outlets for other equipment like Separators, Homogenizers, Holders, and Degassers, according to need, and delivered ready for assembly.
Yogurt - Buttermilk Pasteurization
Yogurt, like milk, provides a very suitable environment for bacteria to live and multiply. Therefore, similar processes applied to milk are also applied to yogurt. MIT wide-gap plate exchangers deliver maximum performance in dense fluids like yogurt and buttermilk, offering a flawless pasteurization solution.
CIP Applications
In the processing of food substances like milk and yogurt, which are prone to bacterial growth, hygiene is of great importance. The entire processing line where the food substance is processed must be cleaned at regular intervals to prevent bacterial formation. The liquid used in this cleaning process is called CIP. This liquid must be circulated through the system at specific flow rates and temperatures. MIT Plate Exchangers are also used to maintain the desired temperatures of the CIP liquid.
Chemical Applications
In the chemical industry, the chemical fluids used need to be heated or cooled according to the process. The correct temperatures must be maintained at every stage of the process to achieve the right results. Heating can be done with steam or hot water, while cooling can be achieved using cooling towers and chillers. The main problem in the chemical industry is the aggressiveness level of the chemicals used. Aggressive chemicals pose a risk for both the plates and seals in plate exchangers. Therefore, the correct selection of plate and seal is crucial. MIT Plate Exchangers offer solutions suitable for all types of fluids with specific applications like double-layered plates, different alloys, and special Viton seals.