Introducing Ventilex s HTST Sterilization Technology For Spices and Herbs The National Seasoning Manufacturers Association, Inc. June 27, 2012 Las Vegas, Nevada 2012 Ventilex USA Inc.
Ventilex References Steam Sterilizers & Pasteurizers
Who is Ventilex? Imtech N.V., headquartered in The Netherlands, is a large European public firm 2011 sales of 5.1 Billion. 27,500 employees Ventilex BV, in business for over 40 years. Main office in Heerde, the Netherlands Trecom Industrial Process Automation BV was started in 1999 is now an Imtech owned company. Main office is in Amersfoort, The Netherlands DryGenic, in business for over 45 years. Main office in The Hague, The Netherlands Ventilex USA Inc, established January 2001, Headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio, serves North America for sales and service
Specialist in Drying Technology Over 800 Installations Worldwide 1965 Ventilex founded 1980 Manufacturing Fluid bed dryers 1989 Ventilex acquired by IM (IMTECH) 1992 First unit build (cooperation Stork Ventilex) 2000 Acquisition of continuous steam sterilization systems of Stork 2001 Started Ventilex USA Inc. 2004 Integration Kathabar Europe (Imtech Drygenic)
Steam Sterilization of Spices and Herbs High Pressure Steam Technology: HTST : High Temperature / Short Time Log 5 kill typical for reducing pathogens from either whole or ground spices Proven European Technology Three Standard Sizes
Typical Microbiological Quality of Products Treated With the Ventilex Continuous HTST System: (specific examples to follow) + Total count <10,000 often <1,000 + Enterobacteriaceae: <10/gram (n.d.) + Salmonella absent + Yeasts and moulds <100/gram (n.d.) + Bacilles Cereus <100/gram (n.d.) + Clostridium Perfringers: <100/gram (n.d.) + Stafylococcus Aureus: <100/gram (n.d.) Success with difficult leaf spices like mayoram (oregano) and basil n.d. = not detectable
Steam Sterilization of Spices & Herbs
Steam Pasteurization System
Principles of Ventilex Technology for Steam Sterilization & Pasteurization:
Steam Decontamination High pressure steam is introduced for a specific time period typical: 20 to 50 seconds time within 4% 107 C to 123 C (224 F to 253 F) 1.3 to 3 bar Product is conveyed in a thin layer, exposing all surfaces to the steam Hot condensate forms on product- perfect distribution Correct temperature and time provides desired kill of pathogens Flash cooling down to 55 C (132 F) within 30 seconds Product immediately dried and cooled to the desired moisture in the fluid bed dryer/cooler
decontamination Temperature [ C] Product Time/Temperture Curve (High Temperature Short Time) 120 100 80 60 40 30 C 40 C 20 drying cooling 25 C 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Time [Minutes]
Steam Sterilizer / Pasteurizer System
Steam Sterilizer
Video: Plug Flow Example
Steam Sterilizer / Pasteurizer System
High Pressure Rotary Valve (a.k.a. Bokfard TM) Principle rotary valve
Steam Sterilizer / Pasteurizer System
Dryer/Cooler
Design Objectives: 1. Provide 5-log kill rates 2. Validation, repeatability 3. No detectable change in product quality (i.e. color, volatile oils) 4. Easy operation: automated controls, CIP
Examples of Steam Sterilization Results Product T.P.C. mesophile aerobe bacteria cfu/gr Yeast cfu/gr Mould cfu/gr Enterobacteria cfu/gr Aerobe spores cfu/gr Bacillus cereus cfu/gr Color (ASTA-units) Volatile oil ml/100gr Sweet paprica before treatment 1,300,000 400 200 7,000 1,300,000 10,000 95 Not tested Sweet paprica after treatment 1,000 n.d. n.d. n.d. 1,000 < 100 93 Not tested Cut rosemary, before treatment 360,000 1,000 20,000 56,000 280,000 Not applicable Not applicable 0.7 Cut rosemary, after treatment < 100 n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. Not applicable Not applicable 0.7
Decontamination of Whole Peppers Treatment untreated 122 C 252 F 35 sec Total Plate Count 3,800,000 < 50 Pepperine 5.2 5.2 Oil 4.0 3.97
Pasteurizer Tests Processing Caraway Seeds Nov 2011 Temperature Oil % Aerobic microorgan Enterobacteria Yeasts Moulds Coliforms Untreated 3.5 420,000 120,000 <100 6,400 <10 Test A 102 C 3.4 2,000 <10 <10 <10 <10 Test B 102 C 3.4 1,000 <10 <10 <10 <10 Test C 102 C 3.5 1,000 <10 <10 <10 <10
Ventilex/Trecom Automated Control System Fully Pre-programmed Operation Continuous operation of system - accurately controlled Automated controls with data logging/acquisition
MCC + PLC
MCC + PLC
Advantage MCC + PLC: Operator only needs to select the right recipe The set points are always the same DATA Logging = Traceability, Validation
Advantage Ventilex System No residual chemicals No special labels on product Low energy use Minimal operator intervention automated controls Can be operated efficiently over a wide range of production rates Will not degrade product and very gentle for leafy products
Features & Benefits Summary Feature HTST Sterilization Technology Continuos Operation Automated Controls Proven European Technology Local Support Benefit Highest Quality Product High Productivity Repeatability, Maximum Yield No Process Risk Uptime
Test Facilities Laboratory test installation In our laboratory, we can simulate processes with varying parameters and thus determine the best possible product processing.
Product Line Up Size Dryer Bed Size* Capacity ** Small 2.275 sq m 0.9 cu m / hr (1200 lbs/hr) Medium 4.05 sq m 2.5 cu m / hr (3300 lbs/hr) Large 7.5 sq m 4.5 cu m / hr (6000 lbs/hr) Pasteurizer 2.275 sq m 2.0 m T/hr * Sterilizer/Pasteurizer bed size is 1 sq m * *Assuming powder of 0.6 kg/l density (herbs are 0.2 to 0.3 kg/l)