PETpla.net Insider 05 / 2010

BOTTLING / FILLING 32 PET planet insider Vol. 11 No. 05/10 www.petpla.net Sterilization and aseptic filling systems GEA Procomac has recently introduced a range of sterili- sation and aseptic filling systems, including a cap steriliser that uses electron beams, vaporized hydrogen peroxide bottle sterilisation, and the fifth generation of its wet PAA- based aseptic filling bloc. Electron beam cap sterilisation GEA Procomac’s ‘Sterilbeam’ cap steriliser is integrated with the com- pany’s cold aseptic filling technology. Fed by a cap sorter, it is mounted on the top platform of a filling machine and it is the first machine in the bever- age industry to employ electron beam cap sterilisation. Simple electron emit- ters, similar to common cathode-ray tubes, are used to produce electrons and convey them into beams. These are directed to cap surfaces and kill any possible microorganisms present by breaking and forming new chemi- cal bonds in their molecules. The caps roll on guided rails and are sterilised by the e-beam as they pass in front of the emitter windows. The e-beam emitters are completely isolated from the external environment and shielded with lead. The company says that the advan- tages include a simpler process, as only voltage, current and time are monitored and there is no chemi- cals consumption, except for a small amount of hydrogen peroxide needed for environmental sterilisation. Energy is available on site allowing a shorter transmission chain; there are no resid- uals of sterilisation on the final prod- uct; and treatment time is in terms of GEA Procomac’s Sterilbeam cap sterilizer uses electron beams