Steam Peeler

Application

The BMA steam peeler has been used for many years in potato processing factories, e.g. for French fries, potato flakes and potato granules. Also potato chips producers are among our customers.

Operation Principle

Product inside a pressure vessel is briefly (set time) exposed to high pressure steam.
Upon contact, the steam condensates in the outer layer (skin) of the product.

When the pressure is released, the water in the potato skin starts to boil. When the boiling water flashes out into steam it is expanding enormously. The potato skin contains less water than the potato itself, and forms a kind of coat around the potato. Because the expanding steam cannot penetrate through this coat, it rips the coat off the potato.

The following must be observed to reach a superior peeling result:

• Uniform exposure of product to steam;  
• Fast and high steam pressure, for a specific, brief period of time.  
• Instantaneous decompression.

Operation

The product is weighed with a weighing belt or weighing hopper. The vessel is filled with the preset weight of raw product via the inlet door mounted on top of the vessel. The pneumatically operated door opens to the inside of the vessel. This ensures that the door closes correctly against the seal and that the vessel is hermetically sealed during steaming.

Once the door is closed, high pressure steam is injected into the pressure vessel from the side. The pressure vessel starts to rotate to ensure uniform contact between product and steam. After a preset steam time, the outlet valve opens so that the vessel is decompressed in a very short time and the product inlet door can be opened.

The pressure vessel now rotates to its unloading position so that it can be emptied. The vessel then rotates back to the filling position and the next cycle can commence. The whole operation of the steam peeler is carried out automatically, controlled by a PLC.

For smaller capacities the steam peeling process is followed by brushing off the potato skin with a brushing machine, for larger capacities we recommend the BMA Centrifugal Dry Deskinner type ODC.

Design

• The standard scope of supply comprises:
• Pressure vessel from mild  steel (standard) or Duplex stainless steel with pneumatically operated inlet/outlet door and steam basket
• Steam valve, pneumatically operated
• Support structure with large maintenance doors that provide good access to the vessel
• Drive with geared motor and chain drive
• Control cubicle with PLC
• Operator interface with touch-screen monitor mounted on support structure
• Expansion vessel

Options:

• Weighing hopper for fast  filling in equal batches;  
• Internal mixing gear for products, such as small  carrots;
• Integration into existing production line

Advantages and Features

• Low peeling losses
• Optimum steam distribution
• Rugged, simple machine with few moving parts
• Easy to operate via touch-panel
• Proven, hygienic design
• High safety standard
• Minimum maintenance
• No angles or edges inside pressure vessel
• High capacity due to large diameter inlet door and fast product discharge
• Condensate discharge
• Modular design, capacity  increase possible