Improved Rotary Film Evaporator for Concentrating Organic Fruit and Berry Puree

This paper reports the improved rotor-film evaporator with the lower arrangement of the separating space, the auger-type discharge of concentrated organic fruit and berry paste, and preheating the puree with secondary steam. The working surface of the evaporator is heated by a flexible film resistive electric heater of the radiating type with an insulating outer surface. Peltier elements installed in the device make it possible to provide low-voltage power for exhaust fans from the thermal secondary steam. The puree fed for processing is preheated by 8...10 °С by the heat from the concentrated product and secondary steam. For the experiment, fruit and berry blended puree from apples, quince, and black currants was used. The structural and mechanical properties of blended puree have been determined when the temperature changes within 55...75 °С, in particular, the effective viscosity varies in the range of 22...6 Pa∙s, the maximum shear stress ‒ 29...8 Pa. Effective regions in the fruit and berry puree concentration process have been established: Kmin=Vpaste/Vpuree=0.190; Kmax=Vpaste/Vpuree=0.725 When concentrating fruit and berry pastes with an initial solids content of 9...15 % to the resulting content (29...31 %), it is advisable to apply a surface load of 0.048...0.121 kg/m2s. By calculation, the reduction of the specific energy consumption for heating the volume of the product unit has been confirmed: a rotor-film evaporator – 547 kJ/kg over a period of 75 s, compared to the basic vacuum evaporator – 1,090 kJ/kg, respectively, over 1.08 hours. The results could be useful when designing evaporating equipment for rotor-film-type devices in order to concentrate various blends of fruit and berry raw materials under conditions of using the energy of secondary steam

Improvement of a Rotor Film Device for the Production of High­quality Multicomponent Natural Pastes

We have improved a heat exchange system of the rotor film device by using, as a heater, a flexible film resistive electric heater of the radiation type, which repeats the geometry of a working chamber of the device. Its technical properties ensure the acceptable temperature mode (50...60 °C), a decrease in resource consumption, dimensional and weight characteristics of RFD, and hence the cost of such devices.In order to test the improved RFD, a formulation ratio of natural components in multicomponent compositions was proposed. Based on the result of blending, we have obtained 3 compositions with different content of components (55...60 % of apple, 25…40 % of cranberries, 5…10 % of hawthorn), which were compared with control. The effect of mass content of each component in the compositions on the structural-mechanical properties of the obtained products was studied. Values for the mean radii of microcapillaries in multicomponent natural compositions were established: nm for composition 1a, nm for composition 1b, and nm for composition 1c. It was established that at an increase in the content of cranberry from 25 to 30 % (compositions 1b and 1a), an increase in the dispersion of the obtained puree was observed. On the contrary, the dispersion decreased at an increase in the content of cranberry to 40 %.Color patterns of apple puree, which is characterized by greenish-yellow coloration, and the puree made of cranberry and hawthorn, characterized by bright red and orange colors, were studied. Color parameters of the blended puree-like compositions were determined, specifically: puree 1a is characterized by a color tone purity of 76.4 %. Puree 1b and 1c – 70.7 % and 78.1 %, respectively; in this case, all of them are reddish-orange.We have determined the colors of paste compositions after concentration at the improved rotor film device to the content of 28…30 % of dry substances at the acceptable temperature of 50...60 °C. It was established that the tone purity of the paste composition 1a is 77.6 %, and in the compositions of pastes 1b and 1c, it is 64.0 % and 78.9 %, respectively. In this case, they are characterized by reddish-orange color. Comparison of visual characteristics of the color of puree and paste samples for the indicators of a dominating wavelength and a color frequency confirm maximal retention of colors. This allows us to draw a conclusion about the maximum retention of vitamins and medicinal-prophylactic properties of natural raw materials in the obtained compositions of multicomponent pastes through the use of the proposed technological parameters and the improved system of heating at the rotor film device.The data obtained would allow the optimization of technological parameters when processing natural raw materials and producing high-quality multicomponent pastes with a considerable content of BAS, medicinal-prevention properties, and pleasant structural-mechanical and color characteristics

Improving the Marmalade TECHNOLOGY by Adding A Multicomponent Fruit-and-berry Paste

The necessity to optimize the nutritional value of marmalade by using physiologically functional ingredients containing vitamins, dietary fiber, minerals, and other useful substances in its composition has been substantiated. Specifically, using the multicomponent fruit-and-berry paste from apples, quince, black currant has been proposed, which is obtained by an improved technique. The technique is characterized by the rapid dehydration (30...45 s, at 50 °C) of the blended paste in a rotor plant to 28...30 % of dry matter. When studying the dependences of the effective viscosity of paste compositions on the shear rate, it was found that the paste that demonstrated the best indicators contained apple in the amount of 40 %; quince ‒ 50 %; black currant ‒ 10 %. It has been experimentally proven that the rational amount of fruit-and-berry paste is 30 % with a decrease in agar by 30 %. This makes it possible to obtain the jelly-fruit marmalade on agar with a mass fraction of moisture of 18 %, a total acidity of 10 degrees, and a mass fraction of reducing substances not more than 28 %. The products have a sweet-sour taste, with a pleasant aftertaste and the smell of black currant, rich purple color, jelly-like form, and non-tight consistency. The strength of the new samples of marmalade with a decrease in the amount of agar is 18.9 kPa, similar to that of control. The improved technology makes it possible to expand the range of "healthy products", which is achieved by the partial replacement of raw materials with a fruit-and-berry paste, which contains a significant number of physiologically functional components. This allows for an increase in the nutritional value of marmalade, as well as a decrease in the formulation amount of agar, which is expensive, by 30 %. In addition, gentle concentration modes improve the process of paste makin

Improving the Marmalade TECHNOLOGY by Adding A Multicomponent Fruit-and-berry Paste

The necessity to optimize the nutritional value of marmalade by using physiologically functional ingredients containing vitamins, dietary fiber, minerals, and other useful substances in its composition has been substantiated. Specifically, using the multicomponent fruit-and-berry paste from apples, quince, black currant has been proposed, which is obtained by an improved technique. The technique is characterized by the rapid dehydration (30...45 s, at 50 °C) of the blended paste in a rotor plant to 28...30 % of dry matter. When studying the dependences of the effective viscosity of paste compositions on the shear rate, it was found that the paste that demonstrated the best indicators contained apple in the amount of 40 %; quince ‒ 50 %; black currant ‒ 10 %. It has been experimentally proven that the rational amount of fruit-and-berry paste is 30 % with a decrease in agar by 30 %. This makes it possible to obtain the jelly-fruit marmalade on agar with a mass fraction of moisture of 18 %, a total acidity of 10 degrees, and a mass fraction of reducing substances not more than 28 %. The products have a sweet-sour taste, with a pleasant aftertaste and the smell of black currant, rich purple color, jelly-like form, and non-tight consistency. The strength of the new samples of marmalade with a decrease in the amount of agar is 18.9 kPa, similar to that of control. The improved technology makes it possible to expand the range of "healthy products", which is achieved by the partial replacement of raw materials with a fruit-and-berry paste, which contains a significant number of physiologically functional components. This allows for an increase in the nutritional value of marmalade, as well as a decrease in the formulation amount of agar, which is expensive, by 30 %. In addition, gentle concentration modes improve the process of paste makin

Development of the Plant for Low-temperature Treatment of Meat Products Using Ir-radiation

The daily increasing demand for meat products with original taste properties causes the need to improve processing of meat raw material. This applies not only to the technology of preparation of raw material, for example its preliminary keeping in various marinades and spices. It is the equipment for manufacturing crust-free meat products that is of great importance.The proposed innovative solution for the development of the plant for low-temperature treatment of meat products by infrared radiation has some design and technological features. Mobility and portability are ensured thanks to easy movement in space. The use of a flexible film resistive electric heater of the radiative type ensures an even distribution of the heat flow and makes it possible to repeat the internal geometry of the operating chamber of the plant. The designed equipment is capable to operate in a sparing low-temperature treatment mode (63…85 °С) with simplified automation of the technological process. The feature of the plant is the ability to use secondary heat coming from the working space of the plant, by absorbing it by the absorbing screen. Its further transformation by conductive heat exchange between the absorbing screen and Peltier elements provides two structural advantages at the same time. Firstly, there occurs low-voltage of supply, which is used for the operation of exhaust fans. It was established that this voltage is formed when the temperature of a meat product reaches the range of 30...35 °C. Secondly, the internal technical space cools down because the temperature of the outer surface of Peltier elements is 10...15 °C. Thus, there is no need for thermal insulation of the plant.It was found that for tender pork, the treatment temperature is 53...80 °C with the duration of 5.0...8.0 hours; 55…80 °C with the duration of 5.0...9.5 hours for tough pork; 65 ...80 °C with the duration of 4.5...6.0 hours for poultry; 55…80 °C with the duration of 5.0...8.0 hours for tender beef; respectively, 58…83 °C with the duration of 5.0...10.0 hours for tough beef. Degustation results prove the original organoleptic properties and the effectiveness of using the plant

Improving a Vacuum-evaporator with Enlarged Heat Exchange Surface for Making Fruit and Vegetable Semi-finished Products

Most of the designs of vacuum-evaporators for concentration have the problem of heat supply stabilization over the entire heat exchange surface. This is due to the presence of a steam shell, which complicates the uniform heat supply. The shortcomings also include the lack of the possibility of the rational increase in the heat transfer surface, which in turn affects the duration of thermal treatment and product quality. In order to eliminate the main disadvantages of vacuum-evaporators, it is proposed to use the method of heat supply with increased heating surface. To solve the set improvement tasks, it is proposed to use modern flexible film resistive electric heaters of radiation type (FFREhRT). They are characterized by low inertia, metal capacity, ease of automation and maintenance. Such electric heater is capable to ensure the uniformity of heat flow and to take any geometric shape of the heat transfer surface.In accordance with the design and technological solution, it is proposed to perform heating with the heat-insulated FFREhRT, which is also located in the hollow space of the stirrer and blades shaft and blades, instead of steam shell. Thus, the increase in heat transfer surface from 3.7 m3 to 4.15 m3, that is by 12 %, is ensured.We detected a decrease in boundary shear stress at an increase in temperature: if t=10 °C, q0=79 Pа; respectively, t=70 °C, q0=12 Pа. Effective viscosity at t=10 °C is ηef =392 Pа∙s, for t=70 °C ηef =2 Pа∙s. In the course of testing the model sample of the VEHS during concentration (50...65 °C), shear rate was determined: 0.5...2.5 s-1. Effective viscosity is within 2.0...4.5 Pа∙s. The improved VEHS is characterized by the reduced duration of entering the stationary mode decreased by 29 % compared to the prototype (MZS-320). The effectiveness of the design and technical solution is proved by a decrease in the weight of the unit by 35 %, of specific metal capacity by 42 %, of treatment duration by 12

Improvement of the Method for Producing Confitures From Fruit Raw Materials

The object of research is the method of production of comfiture from fruit and vegetable raw materials. The production of comfiture using traditional technologies is characterized by the loss of physiologically functional ingredients of raw materials. Such losses can reach up to 60 % of the initial amount, depending on the temperature regime and the duration of heat treatment. A negative factor in the storage of ready-made comfitures is sugar crystallization. Equipment for the implementation of traditional processes of processing fruits and vegetables is characterized by high productivity, low efficiency and operational difficulties. Boiling in the traditional way is carried out at high-temperature conditions, which leads to a decrease in the content of functionally physiological ingredients and the nutritional value of the resulting comfitures. In the production of comfiture on the basis of fruit and vegetable raw materials, the following recipe ratio of components was used: apple – 60 %; Jerusalem artichoke – 25 %; cornelian cherry – 15 %. The improved method is characterized by gentle heat exchange operations, in particular: drying is carried out in an infrared dryer at a temperature of 40–50 °C to a dry matter content of 30–40 %. And also by further boiling of the mass in a vacuum evaporator based on a flexible film resistive radiating electric heater (FFRREH) at 50–60 °C. The use of inverted syrup in the recipe during boiling prevents sugar crystallization during storage of the finished product. Comparative analysis of the heating kinetics of comfiture from fruit and vegetable raw materials confirms the reduction in the duration of reaching the stationary mode (55 °C) when using a vacuum evaporator based on FFRREH by 1.6 times, compared with an analog apparatus. Such a hardware-constructive solution will ensure a decrease in the consumption of energy resources with a simultaneous increase in the quality characteristics of products

Determination of the Heat Transfer Coefficient of A Rotary Film Evaporator with A Heating Film-forming Element

A model of a rotary film evaporator with a film-forming element with a reflective heated surface has been developed. This will allow stabilizing the hydraulic movement of the cut wave flow due to the reflective surface of the geometric shape for the forced direction of the cut raw material to the heating surface. Autonomous heating of the reflective surface additionally provides a temperature effect in the conditions of movement of particles of raw materials after cutting. The analysis of the experimental and theoretical parameters of heat transfer made it possible to substantiate the criterion equation for determining the heat transfer coefficient of an evaporator with the proposed film-forming element and a reflective heated surface for calculating the coefficient from the working surface to the raw material. The resulting equation takes into account the influence of the vertical component of the motion of the raw material film, centrifugal movement during the rotation of the film-forming element, mixing of the boiling film of the raw material with steam bubbles, and the geometric characteristics of the film-forming blade on the hydrodynamic flow of the raw material. The calculation of the rotary-film evaporator was carried out using the criterion equation and the obtained useful heat exchange surface – 0.75 m2. The specific metal consumption in a rotary film evaporator with a film-forming element having a reflective surface is 57 kg/m2, compared to the vacuum evaporator traditionally used in canning industries (410 kg/m2), which is 7.1 times less. The duration of the temperature effect on the raw material is also reduced: a rotary film evaporator – 200 s and 3600 s in a traditional apparatus. The data obtained will be useful for the design of rotary-film devices of different geometric parameters using articulated blades with a reflective plate