Frame Mounted Thermal Process Assembly
Abstract
A major beverage manufacturer needed to heat 40 gallons per minute of single strength juice from 70 to 145°F, then cool the juice to 105°F for packaging. The customer contracted Placer Process Systems to provide a solution that would process their juice, integrate with their existing process, meet all sanitary requirements, and minimize production downtime. Placer Process Systems successfully designed, fabricated, and installed a frame mounted system, with direct heat regen through a plate and frame heat exchanger, that met all the customer’s requirements.
Frame Mounted Concept
Fabricate components on a supporting frame with leveling feet including tanks, pumps, valves, instruments, piping, and process piping:
- Complete system fabrication in a shop-controlled environment
- Connect power and perform shop functional testing and customer acceptance testing before shipment
- Focus field work on equipment handling and interconnecting piping
- Typically, same journeyman team for shop fabrication and installation for seamless integration
Frame Mounted Advantage
- Start the site tie-ins, pipe supports, and process piping before the skids arrive for a shorter timeline
- Reduce labor costs when installing in an existing process environment
- Minimize disruption to existing production and quality operations
- Reduce contractor personnel on customer premises
- Minimize process shut down for installation
- Allow highest quality fabrication methods
- Complete a project with lowest safety risk for customer and contractors
Assembly Frame Sub-Systems
The frame assembly had 5 key components:
- Stainless steel support frame
- Plate & frame heat exchanger
- Sanitary booster pump
- Pressure and temperature sensors
- Sanitary control valves
All assembly piping is sanitary polished ID/OD tubing
Plate & Frame Heat Exchanger
Placer Process Systems sized and integrated a plate & frame heat exchanger to accomplish customer’s process needs:
- Compact design
- Efficient heat transfer
- Low operating cost
- All heat exchanger & piping gaskets are FDA approved EPDM
Sanitary Booster Pump
Placer Process Systems integrated a sanitary booster pump designed to supply the correct flow and pressure to the customer’s existing system:
- High reliability
- Easily accessible by maintenance personnel
- Pump mounts securely to frame, not to floor
- Frame mounted systems are wash-down friendly
Pressure and Temperature Sensors
- Quality components chosen for the specific application
- Fully integrated with existing process
System Valves
Placer Process Systems used single seat sanitary valves with automated pneumatic actuators
- 316 stainless steel wetted parts with EPDM elastomer
- Seat valves offer reliability and ease of maintenance
Conclusion
Our customer received a high-quality system that integrated fully with their existing process.
Our assembly is currently in use in their facility and is providing reliable and economical service.
