Sterilization /
Heat Treatment

Thermorotor

Thermorotor: Versatile in thermal treatment The strength of the Thermorotor heat exchanger is that it can thermally treat a wide range of products where other heat exchangers give unsatisfactory results due to product properties. How does the Thermorotor work?

The machine consists essentially of a cylinder with a double wall and a rotor on the inside. The rotor is fitted with scraping knives. The product to be processed enters one end of the machine, flows through the space between the casing and the rotor, and is forced out at the other end. As the product flows through the machine, it comes into contact with the heated or cooled outer wall. Heat transfer is the result. The medium flows through the double wall in the opposite direction of the product flow. Possible media are: - For heating: steam, warm / hot water or thermal oil; - For cooling: water (/ glycol) or another coolant. The Thermorotor is placed in the process line directly and in series. The wide choice of construction materials (such as a chromed inner jacket) and a design that permits relatively high product pressures ensure that the machine can operate under heavy process conditions.

Simplicity is the key Casing The machine has a double wall. The heating or cooling medium flows between the double casing. On the exterior, the machine is insulated and finished with a jacket. The construction is capable of absorbing expansion differences. The product is inside the machine. The mechanical sealants on the shaft of the rotor provide for air-tight process separation. The rotor is suspended on both sides in a hollow spindle bearing. The drive is delivered via a semi-flexible coupling. Scraping knives The scraping knives have various functions. They mix the product continuously; They constantly help refresh the product on the heat exchanging surface. The result is increased heat transfer, even for very viscous products; They scrape off any deposit of product residue from the wall. Due to the high refresh rate, the contact time of the product with the wall is short. This makes it possible to work with large temperature differences between product and wall without damaging the product or without causing it to form a crust.

Cut-away of the Thermorotor

Separate process area In the design, a clear distinction is made between the process section and the mechanical parts. The mechanical sealants provide for a hygienic separation. This, for example, avoids the risk of contamination of the product by lubricants (or, vice versa, contamination of lubricants by leakage of the product). As a result, the accessibility of the parts for adjustment, inspection and maintenance is improved.

Easy maintenance The Thermorotor is designed in such a way that the inside of the machine is easy to disassemble for inspection or cleaning. When a thorough cleaning is required regularly due to changing products or alternating process conditions, it can be decided to use a set-up that further simplifies cleaning on-site. Fast and simple disassembly of the Thermorotor for cleaning, inspection or maintenance The picture above gives an example of a set-up for fast local cleaning. To clean the inner work and the rotor with the scraping knives, the cylinder heads are removed. The rotor can then be directly pulled out of the machine. The connections for heating or cooling remain in their position. After the inner work has been cleaned, it is pushed back into the machine and the cylinder heads can be installed again.

Advantages of the Thermorotor Suitable for difficult products; Designed for local cleaning; Fully-closed heating or cooling system. Contamination between medium and product ruled out; Limited floor space required; Unit designed for easy access for maintenance and cleaning; Wide choice of construction materials.

Pilot plant ensures process data GMF-Gouda has an extended database containing knowledge and experience of a large number of products. The pilot plant can be used for products that have not been tested before or for existing processes that need further improvement. All processes can be simulated in our laboratory. The reliability of the simulations is proven by the success of hundreds of installations worldwide. In certain cases, tests can be done at the customer's site. Mobile test machines can be leased for that purpose.

Test facilities Manual test To perform a manual test, we need about 1 kg of product in order to determine the behaviour of the product and to produce a small sample. Guarantee test To perform a guarantee test, we need between 50 and 100 kg of product in order to determine the capacity and the process parameters. On that basis, process guarantees are granted and a comprehensive report is made.

Thermorotor laboratory