UHT processing line

Overview
Tetra Pak® Indirect UHT unit DC is an aseptic continuous processing unit for ultra-high temperature treatment of dairy and other low-acid liquid foods. It uses a tubular heat exchanger for indirect heating to produce shelf-stable products and supports modular upgrades for extended operation.

Quick facts

• Continuous aseptic UHT treatment for liquid food products
• Capacity: 1,000 – 40,000 l/h
• Main heating: Indirect tubular heat exchanger; option for direct steam in final heater

Applications

• Dairy: milk, flavoured milk, cream, yoghurt drinks, buffalo milk, formulated dairy products
• Other low-acid liquids: soy milk; possible combinations with juices, tea and coffee

Key benefits

• Modular, upgradeable design to match production and future growth needs
• Focus on food safety through aseptic design and protective systems
• Options to reduce energy use and minimize product losses

Features

• Direct steam in the final heater: Direct steam in the shell side of the final heater enables production runs up to 8 hours with controlled steam pressure; an optimized set-up (temperature-controlled holding tube and hot water circuit) supports up to 16 hours.
• Product-to-product regeneration: Preheats incoming product using already-heated product to reduce steam consumption (typical optimized consumption from ~30 kg/1000 kg; see documentation for configuration-specific values).
• Low-loss balance tank: Tank configuration reduces water in the mix phase, lowering mix-phase litres by over 50% and reducing product losses.
• Closed pre-sterilization loop: Circulates hot water on the pressurized side in a closed loop during pre-sterilization to eliminate return-line cooling, shorten start-up time and reduce utility use.
• Heat exchanger protective panels: Encapsulating panels retain heat and improve energy efficiency (up to ~6%; up to ~11% with added insulation) while improving operator safety.
• Heat exchanger floating protection system: Allows thermal expansion to reduce the risk of cracking and loss of sterility, extending equipment lifetime.

Applications and operation notes

• Designed for continuous aseptic UHT treatment of liquids
• Modular options support different run-time and product requirements (holding tube, hot water circuit, protective panels, floating protection)
• Suitable for dairy and other low-acid liquid foods; combinations with non-dairy beverages possible

Technical specifications

• Design: Aseptic continuous UHT unit with tubular heat exchanger (indirect heating)
• Model: Tetra Pak® Indirect UHT unit DC
• Capacity: 1,000 – 40,000 l/h
• Heating: Indirect tubular heat exchanger; direct steam in shell side of final heater (option)
• Run times: Up to 8 hours standard; up to 16 hours with optimized set-up
• Energy efficiency options: Product-to-product regeneration; protective panels and additional insulation
• Product loss reduction: Low-loss balance tank reducing mix-phase volume by >50%
• Food safety & lifetime: Floating protection reduces thermal stress and cracking risk
• Typical applications: Milk, flavoured milk, cream, yoghurt drinks, buffalo milk, formulated dairy products, soy milk, juices, tea, coffee