Belt Presses for Fruit and Vegetable Processing

Fig. :Fruit-processing linewith two-stage belt-press system

Fig.: Flow chart of the B FRU 1200 LR belt press

Belt presses for fruit and vegetable processing
Flottweg belt presses have been specially designed for the fruit juice industry. They feature efficient design and easy access for cleaning and operation. A reliable pneumatic control system ensures smooth belt-press operation with minimum personnel requirements. High-grade stainless steel guarantes cleanliness, corrosion-resistance and long service life. Precise adjustment of mash feed and variable belt speed provide optimum flexibility to accommodate new conditions while achieving maximum yield. The belt press must be loaded evenly when processing vegetable mashes. A distributing roller with separate drive is fitted to the feed box for loading the press with vegetables. Table 2 shows details of performance and yield for data for carrot processing.

Operation
The feed box distributes the processed mash uniformly over the lower belt. The wedge zone curves downwards and gently releases large amounts of juice to form a mash cake ready for pressing. An L-profile roller extracts the juice in the pressing zone and ensures that the juice flows away quickly on both sides. A series of press rollers with decreasing diameters results in increase of compressive and shear forces exerted and raise the juice yield to 84%. While the juice flows quickly to the central collection pan, the pomace is scraped from the belts by adjustable plastic scrapers and can be conveyed away easily. Both belts are cleaned by high-pressure jets and the washwater is recycled to cut down wastewater volume.


Cleaning
After a production cycle, the Flottweg belt press can be cleaned simply and easily. The drain to the central collecting pan is closed and the pan is filled with cleaning solution. The Belts and the L-profile rollers are completely immersed in the cleaning solution. Cleaning solution is also sprayed onto the belts by high-pressure jets. After about half an hour of circulation, and rinsing with fresh water, your Flottweg belt press is ready for another day. Special sanitary requirements have to be met, when vegetables are processed. These presses are equipped with an incorporated CIP system.