Ferrite Microwave Technologies Food & Beverage Microwave Processing System is used for cooking, gelation, pasteurization, and sterilization. Although these are the common process applications, its specific benefits and economic advantages are best achieved when applied to heat or shear sensitive, high viscosity, and multi-phase fluids.
Food & Beverage Microwave System: Applications
Our in-line food & beverage microwave processing system is particularly effective for its thermal processing of high value, heat and/or shear sensitive, high viscosity, and multi-phase foods. This processor has added value to several production lines in the field. We’ve also conducted several trials in-house. Successful food & beverage product applications include:
- Surimi
- Nutraceuticals
- Meat and poultry emulsions
- Salsa and tomato based products
- Pasta and other high acid based sauces
- Fruit purees with or without particulates
- Vegetable purees with or without particulates
Benefits of Processing Food & Beverages with Microwaves
By uniquely applying high-intensity electromagnetic energy to foods, beverages, and biomaterials, we’ve solved the problem of “hot spots” often associated with traditional surface heating technologies. For a pasteurization or sterilization process, the benefits of ultra-rapid, in-line microwave heating systems for foods, beverages, and biomaterials includes:
- Reduced costs of system sterilization and cleaning
- Enhances thermal processing, in addition to food safety
- Higher product quality resulting from greater retention of color, taste, texture, and nutrients
- Longer production runs due to the reduction of scale or burn-on from hot surface processors
- Rapid deactivation of enzymes such as polyphenol oxidase (PPO) that reduce product shelf life
- Due to the volumetric ionic heating process, the center of any particulates may reach a higher temperature than the surrounding fluid. This is the exact opposite of what occurs during use of conventional surface heaters
System Designs
Ferrite Microwave Technologies offers a series of food & beverage microwave systems. Our systems are available in benchtop (2,450MHz) layouts or commercial-scale (915MHz) configurations. The following specifications apply:
Operating Parameters
| Single Module Process Specification | Benchtop | Commercial |
|---|---|---|
| Max. Throughput | 1 GPM (250 kg/hour) | 10 GPM (2,500 kg/hour) |
| Max. Temperature | 302°F (150°C) | 302°F (150°C) |
| Max. Pressure | 150 psig (10.5 Barg) | 150 psig (10.5 Barg) |
Materials & Features
| Design Options | Benchtop | Commercial |
|---|---|---|
| Generator Frequency | 2,450MHz | 915MHz |
| Applicator Material | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
| Product Tube* | PTFE with Ceramic Pressure Sleeve | PTFE with Ceramic Pressure Sleeve |
| Tube Size | 3/8″ (10mm) to 1″ (25mm) | 1.5″ (38mm) to 2.5″ (63mm) |
| Standard Tube Fitting | Stainless Tri-Clamp Ferrule | Stainless Tri-Clamp Ferrule |
Dimensional
| Generator, Control Panel, & Applicator Dimensions | Benchtop | Commercial |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 1’0” (0.30m) 1’7” (0.48m) 2’8” (0.83m) | 6’0” (1.83m) 2’8” (0.81m) 2’9” (0.84m) |
| Width | 0’8” (0.20m) 0’11” (0.27m) 1’0” (0.30m) | 2’6” (0.76m) 0’9” (0.23m) 2’0” (0.61m) |
| Height | 1’3” (0.37m) 1’7” (0.48m) 3’2”(0.97m) | 9’3” (2.82m) 4’0” (1.22m) 8’2” (2.49m) |
Electrical
| Utilities | Benchtop | Commercial |
|---|---|---|
| Power Output | 2 to 15 kW | 75 to 200 kW |
| Electricity | 3 to 20 kW | 90 to 240 kW |
| Magnetron Cooling Water* | 0.9 to 5.4 GPM (3.5 to 20 LPM) | 27 GPM (100 LPM) / 100 kW Generator |
Actual process performance and specifications will depend on the throughput, properties, and heating range of product.
*To eliminate the need for once through cooling water, we recommend the use of a closed circuit chiller package, for commercial applications.
To learn more about food & beverage microwave processing systems, or to discuss your process – please contact our support team. We look forward to learning about your application, and developing a microwave system solution for you!
