Miteco presents a new process at drinktec

14.09.2009 | Technology

Movement instead of pressure: homogenisation without the use of impact plates or dispersion nozzles. Current process technology for the homogenisation of liquid foodstuffs relies primarily on the use of pressure. However, when liquid foodstuffs are homogenised at high pressure via dispersion nozzles or a homogenisation valve or by using an impact plate, there is a price to pay, namely high energy consumption and a great deal of wear and tear on machinery. Miteco, a pioneer in improving the efficiency of blending processes in the drinks and foodstuffs industry, will present a new homogenisation process at drinktec 2009: FDT, or Fluid Disc Technique, which is based on flow dynamics.

The idea behind FDT is strikingly simple: it involves slowing the material rather than subjecting it to pressure. When two liquid streams rotating at relatively high speed meet each other, this causes extreme turbulence – and this turbulence is what ensures that dispersed phases in the liquid emulsify smoothly.

Maximum hydrodynamics without pressure build-up

The relative speed required is achieved using two closely mounted blade wheels on the same axle which rotate in opposite directions at a high peripheral speed. The liquid streams are forced to move tangentially so they meet each other practically head-on outside the external diameter of the blade wheel. The pre-defined angle of impact ensures that the huge energy of the flow is converted into extreme turbulence in an area the size of a few millimetres. Outside this narrow turbulence zone, the flow is calm and the now finely homogenised liquid can drain off easily. FDT does not require the use of costly high-pressure systems with pulsating movements. There is also far less mechanical stress on materials and liquids than with high-pressure homogenisation. Instead of a costly piston pump homogeniser with the usual wear and tear problems, this process requires only simply designed blade wheels, shafts for power transmission and standard electrical motors without transmissions.

Simplicity is at the heart of efficiency

“Miteco has concentrated on development ever since it was founded” says Managing Director Angelo Cadeo, who has a great influence on the development work that takes place in the company. “The principle we adhere to is this: to keep on simplifying the technology until we achieve the maximum level of efficiency”. This principle was the inspiration for Miteco’s tried-and-tested key technologies, the Coaxial Injector for the dissolving of powders and granulates in liquids and the Radial Jet Mixer for exceptionally homogenous and gentle blending, and has now inspired the development of another new process – FDT. Miteco sees great potential for the use of FDT in the manufacture of drinks and liquid foodstuffs, as well as for other areas of application which involve the manufacture of emulsions.

At drinktec 2009, Miteco can be found in Hall B5 at Stand 403.