Red Bean Paste Dewatering for Food Manufacturing
LW350×1435C Decanter Centrifuge Enables Efficient Processing for Mooncake and Bun Filling Production
Project Background
A food manufacturer produces red bean paste filling for mooncakes and steamed buns. Their existing dewatering setup couldn't handle the production volumes they needed, especially during the Mid-Autumn Festival season when mooncake orders increase substantially. They were looking for equipment that could process higher throughput while meeting food safety requirements.
Customer Challenges
- Existing equipment maxed out at 6-7m³/h, couldn't keep up during peak production months
- Excess moisture in the paste created problems for the filling machines downstream
- Food safety audits required certified food-grade equipment with proper sanitation design
- Bean paste batches varied in consistency depending on the beans used and cooking process
- During Mid-Autumn season, production runs 16-18 hours daily for several weeks
- Previous system needed constant operator attention to maintain output quality
ZK SEPARATION Solution
We tested samples of their red bean paste and recommended the LW350×1435C two-phase decanter. The equipment uses food-grade stainless steel construction and has a sanitary design suitable for direct food contact applications.
Solution Implementation
-
Material Testing & Parameter Optimization
Lab testing of their red bean paste samples to set the bowl speed, differential speed, and feed rate for their specific material properties
-
Food Safety Design
316 stainless steel for all product-contact parts, with smooth welds and internal surfaces that drain completely for CIP cleaning
-
Control System Setup
PLC control with touchscreen for the operators to adjust speed and monitor torque, with alarms for vibration and overload conditions
-
Installation & Training
Installed during a scheduled production break, with two days of on-site training for the production crew on startup, operation, and daily maintenance tasks
Project Overview
- Customer Industry Food Manufacturing
- Application Red Bean Paste Dewatering
- Equipment Model LW350×1435C
- Processing Capacity 10m³/h
- Operating Speed 3600 RPM
- Centrifugal Force 2533G
- Differential Speed 25 RPM
- Main Motor 22kW
- Auxiliary Motor Speed 1143 RPM
Processing Results
The centrifuge has been running in their production line for over eight months now, handling their regular production and two peak seasons without issues.
Process Demonstration
Performance Achievements
- Processing Capacity: Consistently handles 10m³/h feed rate during both regular production and peak season
- Moisture Control: Dewatered paste has the right consistency for their filling equipment - moisture content stays within their target range
- Product Quality: The paste texture is uniform batch to batch, which their quality control team confirmed through regular testing
- Operational Stability: Runs for 16-hour shifts during peak season with just routine checks by the operator
- Food Safety: Passed their HACCP audit and food safety certifications with the sanitary design features
- Maintenance: Daily washdown takes about 30 minutes, and the main wear parts are accessible for scheduled replacement
Customer Testimonial
"We pushed this machine hard during the last Mid-Autumn Festival rush, and it kept up with our mooncake production line without problems. The paste moisture is where we need it, and our filling machines run smoother now. Cleaning is straightforward - the crew has it down to about half an hour at shift end. The ZK team was helpful during setup, and we haven't needed much support since. It does what we bought it for."
— Production Manager, Food Manufacturing Company
ZK SEPARATION Technical Advantages
Food Processing Application
Built with 316 stainless steel for food contact surfaces, electropolished interior, and tri-clamp connections that meet food industry sanitation standards.
Bowl Configuration
The bowl and screw pitch are designed to handle viscous materials like bean paste, with enough residence time for effective dewatering without over-shearing the product.
Drive System
Main motor handles the bowl speed, while the back-drive motor controls the differential through a gearbox - gives the torque needed to convey thick paste.
Operating Flexibility
Operators can adjust the differential speed through the control panel to handle batch variations in paste consistency or moisture content.
Serviceability
The bowl and screw can be pulled out for inspection without major disassembly. Wear parts like the screw tips are replaceable components.
Resource Efficiency
Reduces the waste stream volume by removing water, and the separated liquid can go to their wastewater treatment instead of solid waste disposal.
