Bottle washers rank among the most cost-intensive pieces of equipment in a line, which is why their availability, their resistance to malfunctions and their efficiency are vital considerations. In order to improve the efficacy of the dirt removal function, Krones AG, Neutraubling, Germany, has developed a new pre-soak concept.

Pasteurisation

Pasteurisation is the process of heating food temporary to temperatures of 60–90 °C for the purpose of killing harmful organisms such as bacteria, viruses, protozoa, molds and yeasts. The effect of the treatment over a certain time period is expressed in pasteurizing units (PU).

The bridge the Germans built

European advertising experts will probably find much at fault with Isenbeck’s billboard poster: too busy, too folksy and too heavy-handed in its allusion. A beer that is serious, durable and safe like a weather-beaten bridge that was built by a former colonial ruler. Oh yeah. But remember: This is Cameroon. And somehow this advertisement seems to do the trick. Cameroonians like the ad and they like the beer.

Configuration of a Manufacturing Execution System for bottling

As part of the process integration a key challenge is posed by linking the automation level to the wider IT infrastructure. Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) fill the gap between the production systems and the company management level (Fig. 1) [1]. The department for food packaging technology at the Technical University of Munich-Weihenstephan configured a commercially available MES product for use in bottling and linked it to a pilot system in the food technology laboratory.

Process technology for soft drinks

The complete production process of alcohol free beverages, ready-to-drink teas or alcoholic mixed drinks will in the future be part of the competence of Krones. Already today the company offers engineering and fabrication of entire syrup rooms and mixing systems. A series of projects has recently been brought to a successful conclusion.

An efficient piping concept for process plants

The new Tuchenhagen Eco-Matrix piping system described here provides levels of cost effectiveness and savings hitherto not achieved, as well as new efficiency in process plant engineering.

Cylindroconical tanks: Considerations relating to tank and cooling surface sizing

Horizontal and vertical cylindroconical tanks have become widely accepted during the past 40 years, both from a production point of view as well as in terms of acceptance by beer consumers. In order to guarantee production of high quality beers, scientists developed a series of quality criteria for cylindroconical tanks. This article addresses these tank criteria. Part 1 deals with tank and cooling surface sizing and Part 2, in a subsequent issue of Brauwelt International, will deal with enclosures of tanks.

Economics of beer filtration without kieselguhr

Use of kieselguhr for beer clarification

The flavour of the month

An Elizabethan rascal would have said: “For if thou art not willing I will take thee by force.” A dealmaker will only utter: “I’ll make you an offer you cannot refuse.” Pick-up lines may have changed. Intentions haven’t. As friendly merger opportunities are dwindling, hostile takeovers are making a comeback. Although they are expensive, attract public criticism and historically fail more than half of the time, few executives would give the opportunity a miss to flex their muscle. Or why would Australia’s number two brewer Lion Nathan bestow unwanted attention on the family-run Coopers brewery, knowing full well that they might end up getting their wrists slapped?

Developments in pasteurisation

Measuring instruments in tunnel pasteurisers may fail to meet quality requirements of brewers due to design-related mistakes. A new development described in this paper ensures that the required accuracy and reliability is achieved, making use of what is technically feasible. In addition to measuring parameters, it also calculates pasteurisation units.

New dimensions for Research & Development

On March 23, 2005 the new filling and process engineering pilot plant of Krones was officially put into operation under attendance of numerous guests from economy and research after a construction period of only ten months. As the head of the department process and beverage technology, Dr. Sven Fischer, stated, R&D now found a fitting home for these two lines of business covering an area of 1200 m2.