Newsletter_04-2024_EN

Space-saving stand-alone system for tests – even with small quantities
Production-related integrity:
Aseptic process diaphragm pump for field
trials on homogenization of demanding
emulsions with up to 150 l/h at 400 bar
Emulsions are finely dispersed mixtures of normally immiscible liquids. They end up on consumers‘ tables as homogenized
milk in the food sector, for example. They primarily consist of water, fat and protein. According to their nature, the fat droplets
contained in raw milk are not very homogeneous. For process engineering reasons, it is therefore important to reduce
their size in advance and achieve an even distribution. This is the only way that the end product can meet both the quality
requirements of the manufacturer and consumer expectations. However, as there are increasingly demanding emulsions
in other areas besides the familiar milk, such as baby food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics or fine chemicals as end products
or even just intermediate products, which require the highest purity in particular, LEWA has developed the LEWA homogenizer
test system. The system can be used to test the aseptic functioning of a homogenizer based on a hygienic hermetic
process diaphragm pump. Thanks to a homogenizing valve that is also hygienic, it can be flexibly adjusted to the requirements
of different emulsions. The compact system can be integrated into both the circuit („stand-alone“) and the process
line, enabling it to be continuously operated aseptically. The fluid is supplied via an integrated heatable vessel or a separate
media connection. Visitors to Anuga FoodTec can see the compact, flexible pilot plant and its possible applications at booth
D085 in hall 4.1 and discuss potential customer benefits.
Not too creamy, not too runny: everyone knows how challenging
emulsions are: be it mixing a salad dressing or preparing a stable Béarnaise
sauce in your own kitchen. The requirements of industry go
far beyond those of kitchen preparation. „In addition to knowledge
of dispersion technology, there is an increasing focus on hygiene requirements
and uninterrupted robustness in industrial production.
And this is where the advantages of hermetic homogenization or
spray tower pumps come into play: for example, to maintain a stable
and pure product quality after heat treatment,“ said Dr.-Ing. Hans-
Joachim Johl, Lead Product Manager Life Sciences/Clean Processes
at LEWA GmbH. Put simply, the piston diaphragm pump is the
heart of the system for conveying fluids under high pressure through
a narrow opening. Due to the high shear and the resulting collision
of the droplets, they are crushed and evenly distributed. Alongside a
high-pressure pump used as a pressure generator, the systems used
in this field consist of a hydraulic consumer, which is called the „homogenization
valve.“ This often has a two-stage structure to counter
the re-agglomeration of fat droplets, for example.
The pump experts from Leonberg, Germany, have developed a
new rental and test system to meet the stringent requirements of an
efficient dispersion process from both the hygiene and process engineering
perspectives. It is based on proven triplex pump technology
and, thanks to its compact design and flexible control system,
can be easily integrated into pilot or even production environments.
With the LEWA homogenizer test system, the aseptic function of a homogenizer based on a hygienic
hermetic process diaphragm pump can be tested and flexibly adjusted to the requirements of
different emulsions thanks to an equally hygienic homogenization valve. (Source: LEWA)
www.reinraum.de | www.cleanroom-online.com NEWSLETTER | Edition EN 04-2024
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