Armfield - Model FT102X / FT104X -Filler & Capper Carbonator
The FT102X is a combined carbonator and filler, designed primarily to enable R&D staff to prepare small quantities of beverages with reproducible characteristics and replicating the production product. The carbonation takes place using a recirculation pump to circulate the product from a 30l vessel through a heat exchanger system and a sinter tube where the CO2 is introduced. The pressure in the carbonation vessel is controlled automatically by the plc. The vessel has two compartments, an outer compartment from which the product to be carbonated is drawn, and an inner compartment which contains the most recently carbonated product. When the inner compartment is full the contents overflow into the outer compartment.
The product is first chilled down to below the required carbonation temperature using a plate heat exchanger and then an in-line heater under PID control heats the product to an accurately controlled temperature. The plate heat exchanger requires a chilled water supply. This can either be the customers own supply or the Armfield FT63 re-circulating process chiller (which can also be used with other products in the laboratory such as an Armfield FT74XA).
The plate heat exchanger is able to be dismantled fully for cleaning.
After carbonation, the product is passed to the filling head through a long tubular heat exchanger which further cools the product to prevent CO2 release. The filling process takes place under PLC control. It consists of raising the bottle to the filling head, syrup dosing (option), evacuating the bottle (option), flushing the bottle with CO2 (or N2 if not carbonating), pressurising the bottle (CO2 or N2), counter-pressure filling the bottle, re-pressurising the vessel, allowing time for the contents to level-out, de-pressurising (or snifting) and clearing the overflow.
Most functions of the FT102X are under PLC control and the operator interface is a touch screen control panel. It is possible to save and recall up to 32 sets of operating parameters to suit different products and containers. Each set of parameters can be allocated a descriptive name.
- Easily reproducible test batches
- Very flexible and accurate
- No CO2 loss during filling due to double stage cooling
- Easy to use: many functions automated
- Cost saving: for small test batches no production line is required
- Additional filling/capping head (FT104X) can be added at a later date
- Fill and cap different container styles to individual parameters on the same product run with the FT104X
- 32 preset programs
- Accurate control of filling and carbonating variables
- Option of filling and crown seal capping and/or screw top capping at a single station
- 30l process vessel, positioned at a convenient height
- Batch & continuous processing
- Throughputs up to 60l/h achievable (2l bottles) on FT102X
- Higher throughputs possible with add-on filling/capping system (FT104X)
- Wide range of cans or bottles can be used from 0.15l to in excess of 2l
- Evaluation service for customer cans and bottles
- CO2 content of 12g/l can be realised
- Enhanced colour touch screen control with help facility as standard
- In-bottle pressure measurement enables accurate and reproducible depressurisation
- Improved cleaning programs with heater and spray ball
- Carbonates at any temperature between 4°C and ambient
- Premix and postmix capability
- Adds protective gases (N2 connection now standard)
- Many parameters can be automated
- Fills non-carbonated drinks
- CO2 or NO2 flushing
- Carbonates foaming products
- Gas pressure: 0-4 bar
- Gas content: 0 – >12 g/l
- Vessel capacity: 30 litre (certified in accordance with the Pressure Equipment Directive) (27 litre product capacity)
- Contact surfaces: 316L Stainless Steel or food grade platinum cured silicone hose
- Gases: CO2 , N2 or any safe, non-flammable alternatives or mixture
- Note: During cleaning compressed air is used