Low Shear Washing System

Specially designed for washing potato slices, this system simply removes the starch on the surface of the slices without damaging cells or breaking the slices.

The system comprises:

• Siphon washer
• Slice distributor
• Draining and sorting vibrator
• Balance tank
• Water circulation system
• Starch separation system

Working principle

The washing system comprises two phases. During the first phase, the slices are washed in recirculated water, after which they are rinsed off with fresh water on the draining vibrator.

The slicer is positioned directly above the siphon washer, so the slices drop straight down into the hopper of the siphon washer filled with water. The circulation of the water in the siphon washer creates a venturi effect whereby the slices are sucked in and transported to the slice distributor. Due to the turbulence and the difference in speed between the water and the product the slices are effectively washed, removing the starch from their surface.

The slice distributor distributes the slices evenly over the draining vibrator, where the water and product are separated. The little bits of sliced potato are also filtered here through the sorting deck of the draining vibrator. Finally, the product is re-sprayed with fresh water on the draining vibrator for the perfect wash.

The circulation water of the siphon washer is filtered through a sieve deck in the draining vibrator and collected in a balance tank, after which it is pumped back to the siphon washer using a circulation pump.

The water in the balance tank can be optionally equipped with a starch separation system for removing the starch from the circulation water, so less replacement water is needed.

Benefits of the system

• Only the free starch on the surface of the slice is removed.
• Starch in damaged or broken cells is not removed, so less starch is lost and the slices retain their flavour.
• Good distribution of slices, so little bits can be removed easily and the slices can be sprayed down with water efficiently.
• Little bits can be removed easily.
• Optimal separation of starch from the circulation water.
• Low water content of the system, so the system is freshened frequently.
• Low water consumption.
• Easy to operate.
• Little maintenance.
• Low investment costs

Complete washing system

A = infeed height = 3050 mm B = outfeed height = 1645 mm C = outfeed width = 550 mm D = total length = 4545 mm E = total width = 2246 mm   Capacity: up to 3000 kg/hr (slices) Washing pump: 60 m3/hr Fresh water: 1,75 m3/hr (without starch removal; per 1000 kg slices)   Optional: starch removal Fresh water: 0,3 m3/hr (with starch removal; per 1000 kg slices) Water content: ca. 800 liter

Advantages of the Low Shear Washing System

• Only the free starch on the surface of the slice is removed
• Starch in damaged or broken cells is not removed
• Good distribution of slices 
• Little bits can be removed easily
• Optimal separation of starch from the circulation water
• Low water content of the system, so the system is freshened frequently
• Low water consumption
• Easy to operate
• Little maintenance
• Low investment costs

Click on the link to download the leaflet about Low Shear Washing System.

Low Shear Washing System (1,9 Mb)