Firm expects FDA approval for new heat exchanger

Andreas Schulaks, product manager for Makatec told FoodProductionDaily.com that it expects to get Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in three to six months for use of its new film-based heat exchanger in dairy and beverage processing Makatec says the new spiral exchanger employs a lightweight polymer, supplied by UK firm Victrex, which it claims provides an effective barrier against a range of liquids and gases, with improved durability and high temperature and scratch resistance. Schulaks said that the new equipment has an advantage over conventional plate heat exchangers in that the smooth surfaces of the film significantly reduce the risk of residue build-up inside the product, thus minimizing the danger of microbial contamination. According to the Schulaks, the unique spiral design of the piece of equipment allows volume specific heat exchange areas up to 1000 m2/m3. Heat exchangers are vitally important within beverage manufacture as a means of transferring heat from one product to another, in order to better control the production process. Processors must select the right heating element to ensure the quality of the products and the efficiency of the processes. Cost savings Schulaks said that the polymer exchanger costs 50 per cent less than a stainless steel model. He claims that operational costs are also reduced due to the minimal pressure drop the pump engine requires, as compared to traditional plate heat exchangers. Schulaks added that the simple design of the heat exchanger allows for a quick and low cost assembly, with maintenance and service costs kept low as a result of the film’s corrosion resistance. Testing system Preventing both bacterial and chemical contamination in these units is increasingly vital for manufacturers of all sizes in protecting their brand's reputation. Earlier this year, EasyTesters, a UK-based manufacturer of processing solutions, launched a heat exchanger testing system. The company claims that its Hexteq monitoring system can detect miniscule cracks and pinhole leakages within heat exchangers allowing brewers, soft drink makers and dairy manufacturers to cut down on potential contamination risks. According to the UK firm, the Hexteq system can detect the size of a defect down to a single micron, 0.00004 of an inch, and rather than simply determining therefore whether a heat exchanger is operating hygienically or needs replacing, the system can be used to identify a defect before it becomes problematic to production, said the supplier. In the case of a leakage under 20 microns, Easytesters says that the defect may not necessarily grow any wider and with continued monitoring can continue to operate to healthy standards.

Firm expects FDA approval for new heat exchanger

A German manufacturer of heating and cooling technologies says it has replaced the metal in its spiral plate heat exchangers with a high performance polymer in a bid to improve hygiene efficiency as well as reducing weight and costs.

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