The production process requires a series of process steps: the fruits are first washed, sorted and fed to the juicing machines, the so-called extractors. The juice running out of the extractors contains a high proportion of pulp which is removed in subsequent process stages. Finishers first remove the coarser fruit cells. Once hydrocyclones have also removed particles of sand, the finer pulps are separated. More or less pulp is removed depending on the production objective.
As the countries in which citrus fruits grow require only a fraction of production for their own populations, the juice is generally concentrated for export. Concentration is performed in evaporators in which the water fraction is drawn out of the juice until the original volume is reduced to approximately one-fifth. A particular proportion of water is then added to the concentrate in the country of consumption and it is marketed in the form of citrus juices, nectars or citrus drinks.
Valuable essential oil can be obtained in an additional process line. The peel of the citrus fruit is processed mechanically and the valuable oil washed out of it. The water-in-oil emulsion obtained is separated in a two-stage centrifuge system so economically that clear, valuable essential oil is the result of optimum yield. This ethereal oil is a sought-after flavoring and fragrance for foods, drinks, cosmetics and the pharmaceutical industry.
Other side-products which can be processed with / by GEA equipment are aroma-water originated from the evaporator, peel-juice, pulp- and core-wash, pectin, etc.
GEA has been heavily involved in developing a large number of new processes and can provide the following technologies and equipment:
• Hydrocyclone
• Centrifugal separation
• Pasteurizer
• Evaporator
• Cross flow filtration
• Filling lines
• Packaging
Products & Technologies
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Aseptic valves & components
Aseptic valves face exceptionally high demands within UltraClean and Aseptic processes. You can be assured that they all provide highest quality in terms of hygienic design and sustainability.
Centrifugal Separator
GEA separators are designed for liquid-based applications. Using centrifugal force, they are used for separating suspensions consisting of two or more phases of different densities, i.e. they can be used for liquid-liquid separation, for liquid-liquid-solid separation or for liquid-solid separation. They are equally as effective at separating liq...
Cold Block Processing
GEA offers a complete portfolio of technologies for the cold process area in your brewery.
Container Handling Equipment
The heart of all fillings systems is the filling machine itself. To make a system requires a lot more. GEA offers complete filling lines which means that we also take care of the complicated task of line integration and control. In order to provide an efficient production line, it is important to consider all parts of the system together. Our exp...
Other applications
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GEA Insights
The breakthrough that changed spray drying
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In food and beverage plants, valves are commonly operated using compressed air. GEA Hydract® Actuation Technology moves valves with water instead, in a closed, digitally controlled circuit. The result is a valve that can be held exactly in place and steered in fine-tuned steps. This results in lower energy use and greater control.
