Flash Pasteurisation

Pasteurisation is a heat treatment with the purpose of improving the microbiological stability of the beverage in order to prolong its shelf life.

While reducing the number of harmful microorganisms, uniform and gentle treatments are required to maintain the original taste and appearance of the beverage.

Cold beer enters the regenerative zone of the plate heat exchanger being pre-heated by already pasteurised beer and is then heated up to the pasteurisation temperature and held in the holding tube during the pasteurisation time. Pasteurised beer is then cooled down in the regenerative zone and if required, cooled in the cooling zone to the filling temperature.

The Flash pasteuriser is typically installed in front of a filler, whose speed often varies considerably. To keep the required pasteurisation units (PU) within tight limits, we use intelligent control in combination with a buffer tank, capable to match variations in filler demand. If the filling capacity decreases, the flow has to be reduced as well. Lower flow means longer holding time and therefore the pasteurisation temperature has to be decreased to keep the same PU.

The control reduces the flow according to the heat exchanger characteristics and increases the level in the buffer tank. When the filling capacity increases again, the level in the buffer tank will be lowered and the nominal pasteurisation values will be re-established. This way any over- and underpasteurisation can be avoided and gentle and consistent treatment is always guaranteed.