イノベーションは、自社のテクノロジーを常に最先端に保つためのテトラパックの原動力です。テトラパック® 直接 UHT ユニットには、テトラパックの最新の無菌充填技術が採用され、製造の最適化や変化の激しい市場ニーズに対応できるように設計されています。
品質と柔軟性が追求された直接 UHT
テトラパックは、直接および間接 UHT どちらにも精通しています。そのためにお客様が求めるいかなる結果にも対応することができます。最高の製品品質を求めるならば、テトラパック直接 UHT ユニットが理想的です。お客様は、幅広い製品ポートフォリオを 1 つのユニットとして操作し、真の最高品質と卓越した柔軟性を得ることができます。
最新の直接 UHT(Ultra High Temperature:超高温殺菌)技術
直接 UHT 処理プラス食品への最小限の熱負荷、それによって味への影響を軽減すると同時に、全体的な品質と栄養価を維持します。テトラパックの最先端の直接 UHT 技術は、100 以上のオプションと加熱ソリューションのいくつかの組み合わせにより、非常に高い柔軟性を備えています。
テトラパックの直接 UHT ユニットは、直接モードを選択した場合でも様々な加熱を組み合わせたソリューションを選択した場合でも、単一ユニットで幅広いポートフォリオに柔軟に対応できます。
Steam injection
Direct steam injection gives you instant heating from 80°C (application dependent) to the UHT temperature, followed by temperature equilibrium and instant condensation, all thanks to the ring-nozzle steam injector. Heating and cooling of the product is practically instantaneous. That’s how our direct UHT technology creates commercial sterility while applying very little heat load to your products. This results in less chemical changes and therefore a final product more similar to the original unprocessed product. There are less colour and taste differences than with indirect UHT technology as well as less effect on nutritional values.
Steam infusion
The Tetra Pak Direct UHT unit is available with either injection or infusion or both. When it comes to shear-sensitive products such as whipped cream containing stabilizers (e.g. starch or Carrageenan), steam infusion offers certain benefits. The basic principle of steam infusion is to heat a product by passing it through an atmosphere of steam. You will get the same high quality UHT product with infusion as with injection, but with less shear. This gives greater stability for shear-sensitive products. However, on the cost side, infusion gives you a 4-8% higher operating cost than injection because the process requires more steam and cooling water and results in slightly higher product losses.
Flash cooling
The condenser is a separate unit. This allows it to operate at a higher temperature level (outlet water: up to 72°C compared to 65°C before). You do not have to use expensive ice water to fine-tune the temperature in the condenser cooling circuit, giving you lower energy costs. In addition, the separate condenser is easier to clean and service.
Combined heating solutions
Instead of buying two different units, you can purchase a ready-made combi model offering either injection or infusion or both. You can also choose equipment to manage both direct and indirect heating methods. Choose the heating solution that suits your products best and adapt it easily if your needs change in future because flexibility is built in. There are three modes to choose from:
Direct UHT mode - For “added value” products and superior product quality.
Plus mode (combining direct and indirect heating) - For longer shelf life and optimized economy.
Indirect mode - Lowest operating cost and environmental impact. For longest possible shelf-life and long running time.
Automatic homogenizer damper
Homogenizer dampers absorb pressure variation and shocks before and after the homogenizer. Automatic air refill maintains the air cushion in the homogenizer damper to ensure smooth operation. Without the air cushion, vibration and cavitation would occur and shorten the running time. Fully automated CIP is included - increasing operator safety, improving hygiene and further optimizing the production cycle.
Floating protection system
Aseptic product in the inner tubes of the Tetra Pak® Tubular Heat Exchanger flows at a higher pressure than the untreated product on the shell side. A floating protection system allows for thermal expansion of the tubes, greatly reducing the risk of damage from cracking, and consequent loss of sterility. In addition to improving food safety, this feature extends the lifetime of the heat exchanger.
Low-loss balance tank
Due to a very specific solution of the inlet valve arrangement of the balance tank, we have managed to reduce the mixing phase of the product. Other improvements apply to the inlet solution which carries an electronic level control. The frequency-controlled product pump is also linked to this device. In addition, a frequency-controlled pump will have a lower energy consumption.
Low water, CIP and waste consumption
Compared to Tetra Therm® Aseptic VTIS, Tetra Pak® Direct UHT provides up to 6% water savings due to its compact design, which reduces the demand for fresh water. Additionally, chemical savings can reach up to 37% thanks to the unique design of the steam injector, flash vessel, and condenser, allowing for the same cleaning efficiency with less detergent. Product loss is reduced by 48%, attributed to the compact design and the new low-loss balance tank, which enables a greater control of the mix-phase during both the filling and emptying phases.*
*Tetra Pak® Direct UHT unit compared to Tetra Therm® Aseptic VTIS , based on 23,000 l/h, 144 hours per week, and 50 weeks/year