SHAKA With Steam and water process

In a SHAKA™ retort, baskets with products are moved horizontally at a high frequency. Once the basket is entered and fixed in the autoclave, the process is usual CUT, holding time, and cooling (similar to STERIFLOW). The shaking movement is started immediately, up to the required frequency. In order to reach the holding time quickly, preheated water and direct steam injection are used. Heat exchanger is only used for cooling.

What is named high speed agitation is a shaking movement of 15 cm amplitude and 150  per minute average frequency.  Thanks to high speed agitation, the heat transfer is improved dramatically and cycle time is reduced (5 to 10 times). Therefore it becomes possible to work at higher temperature.

Tests made on soups show a dramatic improvement for preservation of micronutrients like vitamin C and polyphenols compared to traditional processes (including pasteurization).

Using SHAKA™ equipment allows a lower level of salt in the recipe for an equivalent aromatic balance as tested on soups.

Cooking value is much lower with SHAKA™ process for the same F₀ value. Hence texture is better preserved than with standard static or rotary process.

The SHAKA retort is one exceptional innovation for quality focused food producers. The SHAKA retort is suitable for sterilization, pasteurization and cooking (at low temperature) of almost all types of products in all types of packaging. The retort with cascading water system (for cooling in that case) was invented by Steriflow.

Main characteristics

~ Material: AISI  304L Stainless steal (heat exchanger 316L)

~ Standard diameter: pilot 900 mm and industrial 1300 mm

~ Capacity: 1 big basket but the cycle time is reduced by 5 to 10 times

~ Maintenance: must be very regularly made, because of a great mass in high speed movement.

Applications

for liquid (sauces, soups, ..) or viscous ( babyfood, pet food, …) products where a high quality of final product is required.

Accessories

because of the size of the basket (+/- 1,5 a standard STERIFLOW basket) and because of very short cycle time, an automatic system to fill and to handle the baskets is necessary.

History

The first SHAKA™ pilot was built in 2007 and the first industrial machine was installed in 2010