Hot-Fill/High-Acid Processing Line

This processing line was envisioned by faculty and designed by CRB, Dallas, TX, with input from industry stakeholders. The line was built by A&B Process Systems, Stratford, WI. The faculty designed the line for high-impact learning activities of students and service to industry stakeholders. This versatile line is not built for high speed, but for food pilot runs up to 150 gallons so students can learn commercial food processing from product development, manufacturing systems, regulations, and quality systems all with food safety and quality in mind. The unit has a built-in Clean-in-Place (CIP) system facilitating rapid cleaning and sanitation and a Clean-Out of-Place tank for everything else. The advantages of the design and programming are advanced and versatile for a variety of processes, monitoring systems, and flexibility of use.

Capacity

Volume, speed, and overall capacity depends on viscosity and product type. The process tank can hold up to 150 gallons per batch and as little as 50 gallons. For example, a course with 30-35 students could produce about 1 case of 8 oz mason jars per student (12×8) in a small run. This line is designed to be run within a wide speed range, so students to monitor and learn in a hands-on manner. At higher volumes the line can run multiple 150 gallon batches per day to meet small-scale commercial needs or student fund-raising activities to produce products such as salsa, sauces, juices, marinades, and jelly.