Krones delivers 100th shell-and-tube heat exchanger in seven years

Krones recently achieved a significant milestone: after commencing manufacturing in 2007, the company has delivered its 100th shell-and-tube heat exchanger.

The 100th system was installed for Indonesian beverage producer PT Singa Mas International, where it will be used to ensure aseptic safety and an extended shelf life in products like milk-based mixed drinks, green tea, orange juice with pulp and energy drinks. The compactly dimensioned heat exchanger will have a flexible output of between 16 and 24 m³/h using a manageable exchanger surface area of 290 m².

The company began manufacturing its own shell-and-tube heat exchangers in 2007 to expand its in-house value creation and its product portfolio for process technology. Designed for thermal product treatment, the heat exchangers were installed in the VarioFlash and VarioAsept flash pasteurisers.

Close-up of Krones’ shell-and-tube heat exchanger.

Over the last seven years the company has enhanced the exchangers’ technology, as well as upgrading the in-house testing and dimensioning options. Developing a modularised, compact frame construction significantly reduced the unit’s footprint.

The heat exchangers’ cross-corrugation feature can reduce the surface area required by up to 50%, particularly for juices of medium viscosity.

In 2009, the shell-and-tube heat exchangers were for the first time installed in a UHT system for milk and milk-based mixed drinks. Because of the ongoing trend towards thermal treatment of more complex suspension (such as fruit juice with fruit cells and milk with cereals), the design has been adapted to suit the flow behaviour of suspensions. This has resulted in a reduction in particle damage of up to 31%. The output spectrum of the modularised systems ranges from 5000 to 60,000 L/h.

Krones says its 100th delivery in just seven years “can unequivocally substantiate its corporate competence in process technology for beverages”.