Concentrating coffee, tea, and other solids-containing liquids poses severe operating challenges to the beverage industry. Typically, applied conventional technologies, such as multiple effect, falling film, or forced circulation evaporation, yield mixed results depending on the particular application, and the degree of solids concentration. These problems generally stem from the material's heat and shear sensitivity, and its foaming and fouling characteristics.

Use the Artisan Rototherm^® mechanically aided thin film evaporator to overcome these problems, and concentrate, in a single pass, a variety of beverages to solids contents. The Rototherm's ability to concentrate from a dilute feed to very high solids content, without product degradation, makes it the most versatile processor in the industry. The combination of short residence time, highly turbulent film, and a robust design, enables uninterrupted operation. Due to its horizontal design and close rotor clearance, CIP is generally accomplished by running a few liters of suitable cleaning solution through the machine for a several minutes, drastically reducing consumption and waste.

• Concentrating coffee to greater than 70% solids, in a single step, achieving a consistently high-quality concentrate.
• Concentrating caffeine from a wet solvent-rich solution to a dry powder, with less than 100 PPM residual solvent in a single step.

Continuous vacuum concentration of tea from 15% solids to greater than 50% solids in a single pass, without product degradation. Concentration is carried out at 300 Torr and 170° F

Learn more about the Artisan Rototherm^® or fill out an information request form if you would like a Rototherm^® brochure or a Process Solutions Handbook on food, ingredients, edible oils, and nutraceuticals applications.