Instant noodles have become an internationally recognized food, and its consumption is on the rise globally. Unequivocally, factors like taste, nutrition, convenience, and longer shelf-life have made instant noodles more popular. Noodle manufacturers heavily rely on processing systems to maintain the quality and safety of the noodles. The conventional processing utilities involved are energy-intensive and hence account for a significant portion of the energy consumed in the unit.
Energy optimisation on the production line begins with adopting sustainable technologies and processes. Vapour Absorption machines employed to cool and heat the manufacturing units can improve energy efficiency of the industry to greater levels.
Processes to extend the shelf life of noodles
Production begins with the selection of wheat flour followed by kneading. The flour is then flattened into sheets and cut into noodles. Both rice and wheat flour type instant noodles are steamed and dried or steamed and fried after the cutting stage. The modern instant noodles are steamed and fried in Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil as a part of dehydration. Dehydration is the process of moisture removal from the noodles, which gives the product a shelf life of 6-8 months. Following the dehydration the noodles that are at 100°C is cooled with air.
Optimisation Opportunities in Noodle Manufacturing
Noodles contain 30-60% moisture which is reduced to almost 2-5% following the dehydration. This moisture is vented out to atmosphere in the form of vapour at 100 to 115°C through a chimney connected to the fryer. The production floor and the packing requires air-conditioning to maintain hygiene and the product quality. Conventionally, electric chillers offer comfort cooling to the production floors.
Energy of the vented water vapour from the fryer can be tapped and used to run a vapour absorption chiller. Driven by the recovered heat, the chiller will offer cooling at the required temperature. The condensate from the chiller, i.e., water can be reused for other plant processes.
Advantages of Thermax Ultra Low Pressure Vapour Absorption Chiller
Eliminates the dependency on electric grid
Zero Power consumption as an available asset is used as the heat source
Reduces harmful CO2 emissions
Reuse of the condensate, i.e., water, for other plant processes.
A typical Ultra low-pressure vapour absorption chiller can provide a cooling capacity ranging from 40 TR to 3000 TR.
Aside from significantly impacting the industry’s bottom-lines, vapour absorption solutions are also attractive options for environmentally preferable outcomes.
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