Batch pasteurizers, or vat pasteurizers, are stainless steel tanks used for milk pasteurization. These tanks have a jacket that allows hot water or steam to circulate through the walls using a boiler system, heating the interior where the milk or milk product is contained. A propelling blade inside the tank stirs the milk to ensure uniform heat distribution. When the milk product reaches the pasteurization temperature, the chart recorder can be turned on to begin legal pasteurization.
While the tank pasteurizes the milk product; one might ask, what about the area above it? This area, known as airspace, is located between the milk's surface and the tank's interior ceiling. Surprisingly, harmful airborne bacterial pathogens can exist in this airspace, posing a risk of contaminating the product. The Anco Airspace Heater, an electric element positioned in the tank's airspace, emits radiant heat. An airspace blade connected to the top of the agitation shaft circulates the air, ensuring the airspace is heated evenly.
The Grade A Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) mandates that the airspace heating in a pasteurizer keeps the atmosphere above the milk and/or milk product at a temperature at least 5 degrees higher than the minimum pasteurization temperature during the holding period. For example, when pasteurizing Eggnog, which requires a pasteurization temperature of 155 degrees for 30 minutes, the airspace temperature must be held at least 160 degrees. Thankfully, the Anco Airspace Heater features a temperature controller that can be adjusted to suit your milk product pasteurization requirements.
A smaller batch pasteurizer with limited airspace may reach the required airspace temperature without needing an airspace heater, while a larger pasteurizer might need two airspace heating elements to achieve the desired temperature. In any case, Anco Equipment offers solutions for all your airspace heating requirements.
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