An experimental pineapple juice concentrate plant incorporating flavour recovery

Abstract

In order to investigate the concentration of Queensland-produced pineapple juice an experimental plant incorporating an ester recovery section has been designed and constructed. Pulp in the fresh juice is reduced to less than 1 per cent. by screening and centrifuging and then the juice is fed into a turbulent thin film evaporator which strips off the esters during concentration under vacuum. Esters and water are condensed together in a refrigerated surface condenser. The distillate is partially vaporized and then fractionated at atmospheric pressure to produce ester concentrate of 250-fold which is reincorporated with the concentrated juice (50-60° Brix). A detailed description of construction and operation of the plant is given.