Holding tube

The holding tube is the key component of an inline thermal process. It has to ensure a specific microbiological destruction and/or a chemical reaction in a product and has to maintain the temperature and time in a continuous thermal process. Critical issues Certain critical points have to be controlled, in order to have a correct thermal treatment. Back pressure The backpressure is applied to avoid gas bobbles coming from non-condensed steam or from air content. Non-condensed steam can lead to believe in a constant sterilization temperature and the calculated holding time can be rong. !ecommended holding tube pressure is " # $ bars above the boiling point%

Fouling &ouling in a holding tube, can shorten the holding time, increase the pressure loss in the tube, indicate rong temperatures due to coated sensors and give bro n particles in the product. To overcome this problem certain points can be applied% 'roduct adaptations (pre-denaturation, p) ad*ustment, ingredients choice+ )igher holding tube pressure , thinner layer Teflon sleeve coating of holding tube )igh flo velocity (-.m/s+ /onger running time ith bigger tube diameter (0ore CI' problems+ 1irect heating generally less fouling than indirect heating Deaeration 'roduct ith a lot of cooperated air, ill give increased fouling in the holding tube. Nestl2 recommends turbulent conditions ith -"34555 !e for any position of the holding tube. Heat loss

In a 6)T process ith lo er temperatures and longer holding tubes, the heat loss can be significant. In order to detect this problem, temperature sensors at the beginning and at the end of the holding tube are recommended. 'roper insulation of the pipe ill prevent any heat loss.