Food Packaging
Food Packaging
Food Packaging
EVAPORATION
It is a simultaneous heat and mass transfer process in which a portion
of liquid is vaporised, and the final product is still in the liquid form.
The operation is carried out in a closed equipment under vacuum and
steam is used in evaporation as a heating medium.
basic steps involved in the evaporation process in food
processing engineering:
Water(M), Kg/h
F = M+C
The basic factors that affect the rate of evaporation are the:
DRYING
Drying is a unit operation in which moisture from a feed material is evaporated
and final product is normally in solid form. Dried foods can be stored for long
periods without deterioration occurring. The principal reasons for this are
that the microorganisms which cause food spoilage and decay are unable
to grow and multiply in the absence of sufficient water and many of the
enzymes which promote undesired changes in the chemical composition
of the food cannot function without water.
Process:
1. The product to be dried is prepared and placed on trays or
conveyors.
2. Hot air is circulated around the product, either by natural or
forced convection.
3. Moisture evaporates from the product and is carried away
by the circulating air.
4. The moisture-laden air is collected and passed through a
heat exchanger to recover heat and reduce energy
consumption.
DEHYDRATION
Feed (F), (Kg/h)
Product (P), (Kg/h)
Moisture in (air + feed) = Moisture out with (exhaust air + product)
CRYSTALLIZATION
It is a unit operation in which the dissolved solids of the solution are
separated out by concentrating the solution (by evaporation) and/or
a solubility difference at different temperature.
In this operation the final product is always saturated.
It is also used to control the shelf life of certain products, such as
jams and jellies, by promoting the formation of a stable crystal
structure that prevents microbial growth and spoilage.
Crystallization is an example of a separation process in which
mass is transferred from a liquid solution, whose composition is
generally mixed, to a pure solid crystal. Soluble components are
removed from solution by adjusting the conditions so that the
solution becomes supersaturated and excess solute crystallizes
out in a pure form. This is generally accomplished by lowering
the temperature, or by concentration of the solution, in each case
to form a supersaturated solution from which crystallization can
occur. The equilibrium is established between the crystals and
the surrounding solution, the mother liquor. The manufacture of
sucrose, from sugar cane or sugar beet, is an important example
of crystallization in food technology.
A crystallizer may be a simple open tank or vat in which the
solution loses heat to its surroundings. The solution cools slowly
so that large crystals are generally produced.
The process of crystallization in food processing involves the
following steps:
1. Preparation of the solution: The first step is to prepare a
solution by dissolving the desired ingredients in water or
another solvent, such as sugar in water to make a syrup.
2. Heating the solution: The solution is heated to dissolve all
the ingredients and create a homogeneous mixture.
3. Cooling the solution: The solution is then cooled slowly to
a specific temperature at which the desired crystals can
form. This can be done by transferring the solution to a
cooling vessel or by using a heat exchanger.
4. Seeding: Once the solution reaches the desired
temperature, a small amount of pre-formed crystals or
"seed" crystals are added to the solution to act as a
template for the formation of new crystals.
5. Crystallization: The solution is allowed to sit undisturbed or
stirred gently, allowing the crystals to form and grow. This
process may take several hours or days, depending on the
desired crystal size and properties.
Water (W)
Recycle (R)
MIXING
Mixing involves intermingling of two or more products to produce a
uniform final product of desired concentration.
Mixing is an important unit operation in food processing that
involves combining two or more ingredients to create a
homogeneous mixture. The process of mixing in food processing
typically involves the following steps:
FEED (F1)
MIXER PRODUCT (P)
FEED (F3)
STANDARDISATION
Standardisation refers to the adjustment, i.e., raising or lowering of
any specified component to a desired value so as to conform to some
legal or other requirements prescribed. It finds application in milk
processing where fat and/or SNF is adjusted.
Standardization is a process used in food processing to ensure
that a product meets specific quality and regulatory
requirements. Standardization involves controlling and adjusting
various parameters of the food product during production to
achieve a consistent and uniform product. The process of
standardization in food processing typically involves the
following steps: