non compulsory machines Flashcards
(18 cards)
What is the primary function of food mixers and process plants in the food industry?
They automate large-scale food production processes—mixing, blending, grinding, emulsifying, and heat treatment—to ensure consistent quality, efficiency, and adherence to hygiene standards.
What are some key operational steps of food mixers and process plants?
They operate by using rotating blades or paddles for mixing, cutting or grinding with blades/rollers, emulsifying ingredients, applying heat treatment (like pasteurization), and employing sensors and automation to monitor process parameters.
Name a few examples of applications for food mixers and process plants.
They are used in bakeries for dough mixing, in the dairy industry for homogenization, in sauce and beverage production, and in meat processing for mincing and cutting.
What is the main function of industrial ovens?
Industrial ovens apply controlled heat to materials for drying, curing, or baking, thereby achieving desired textures and properties in food and other products.
How do industrial ovens operate?
They generate heat (via gas or electric methods) and maintain uniform temperature distribution using fans. They come in various types like batch ovens, conveyor/continuous ovens, or clean room ovens, depending on the application.
Give examples of where industrial ovens are applied.
In the food industry, they bake bread and pastries; in electronics, reflow ovens solder components; and in manufacturing, curing ovens initiate chemical reactions like powder coating curing.
What is the primary function of a liquid nitrogen freezer in the food industry?
Its main role is rapid, cryogenic freezing—quickly lowering food temperatures to around –196°C—to prevent large ice crystal formation, thus preserving texture, flavor, and nutritional value while extending shelf life.
How does an industrial liquid nitrogen freezer operate?
It uses liquid nitrogen stored in an insulated cryogenic tank that is introduced into a freezer chamber. The extreme cold provides flash freezing, with sensors and controls ensuring uniform temperature distribution and safety features like oxygen monitors in place.
What are common applications for a liquid nitrogen freezer?
It’s used for freezing seafood, meat cuts, fruits, vegetables, and ready-to-eat meals—preserving freshness and quality by rapidly reducing temperature.
What is the main function of an industrial vacuum packing machine?
It removes air from packaging to reduce oxidation and microbial growth, thereby extending the shelf life of food products and maintaining their quality.
Describe the operation of a vacuum packing machine.
Food items are loaded into food-grade packaging, a vacuum pump evacuates air, and a heat-sealing element permanently seals the package. Automated sensors ensure consistent vacuum and seal quality.
What are some food items commonly packaged with vacuum packing machines?
They are used for meat and seafood, cheeses and dairy products, prepared meals, and products destined for sous vide cooking.
What is the primary function of a horizontal flow pack machine?
It packages food products in a continuous, horizontal format, providing a sealed protective barrier that preserves freshness and enhances product presentation.
How does a horizontal flow pack machine operate?
It feeds a roll of food-grade film, forms it into a tube, deposits food into the tube, seals the film around the product, and then cuts the continuous package into individual sealed packages—all controlled automatically.
Provide examples of applications for horizontal flow pack machines.
They are commonly used for packaging snack foods, bakery items, meat and seafood products, dairy items, and ready-to-eat meals.
What is an industrial texturometer used for in the food industry?
It measures the textural properties of food products (e.g., firmness, hardness, elasticity, chewiness, adhesiveness) for quality control, product development, and process optimization.
How does an industrial texturometer operate?
It applies controlled mechanical forces (via compression, penetration, or shear tests) to food samples and records the force-displacement data using digital sensors, which is then analyzed to assess texture.
In what food industry applications are texturometers commonly used?
They are used to test the texture of dairy products (like cheese or yogurt), meat processing (for tenderness), bakery items (for softness or crispiness), confectionery, and in R&D labs for product development.
