Specialised UV Systems for Liquid Sugar Disinfection

LIQUID SUGAR SOLUTIONS

With an increasing emphasis on safety, product quality and regulation, the requirement for efficient and effective disinfection of liquid sugar applications has seen many manufactures turn to UV disinfection systems for an effective, non chemical solution.  

Concentrated sugar syrups have a high osmotic pressure which prevents micro-organisms from reproducing, however many micro-organisms still survive in spore form and have the ability to grow and reproduce upon dilution of the sugar syrup solution causing discolouration, changes to flavour and importantly a reduced product shelf-life and increased risk of micro-biological infection and ill-health.

The threat of product contamination is further increased as manufacturers are forced to respond to consumer demands for reductions in chemical additives and preservatives used within food and beverage products.

The Solution

UV disinfection systems from atg UV Technology provides a non-chemical, low maintenance, green technology method of disinfection.  atg UV systems effectively kill all known micro-organisms, including bacteria, moulds, viruses and their spores using high intensity UVC light at 254 nm (also known as the germicidal region).    

atg UV Technology's extensively developed SS (Sugar Solution) Range are extremely low maintenance, offer a high output within a small foot print, are easy to install, are fully automatic and cannot be overdosed.  Unlike other UV manufacturers who simply offer waste water systems for sugar applications, atg UV Techno logy have designed a specific range of Liquid Sugar UV disinfection systems to deal with the high viscosities encountered in sugar solutions up to 66 brix, at as low as 10-15% UVT (Ultraviolet Transmittance).

The SS (sugar solution) range utilises the latest in advanced thin-film quartz and UVC lamp technology, and has a specially designed UV chamber to offer optimum UV disinfection performance at ultra low UVT levels associated with liquid sugar applications.  The SS range features include; advanced thin-film quartz technology, sanitary finishes of 0.4 Ra / 0.8 Ra, sanitary tri-clamp connections and a range of control and instrumentation options including UV monitoring, temperature control and MODBUS or PROFIBUS communication.      

Advantages

UV disinfection has many advantages over alternative methods.  Unlike chemical treatment, atg UV's disinfection process does not introduce toxins or residues into the manufacturing process and does not affect the chemical composition, taste, odour or pH. 

atg UV systems can be used as either primary disinfection or as a secondary means of treatment.  As UV disinfection has no residual effect, the best position to locate a treatment system is immediately prior to the point of use, ensuring incoming microbiological contaminants are destroyed and there is a minimal chance of post-treatment contamination.

As liquid sugar solutions have a high density, and low UV Transmittance, typically between 10-30% UVT, all atg UV systems for liquid sugar disinfection utilise high intensity, medium pressure UV lamps ( low pressure lamps are not suitable for liquid sugar applications).  Systems are usually installed in-line after the storage tank discharge point, so the syrup is treated prior to dilution into the product, and prior to the addition of additives, flavourings or colourings, all of which reduce UV transmission. 

For more information on Liquid Sugar disinfection, please contact our sales team on: +44(0)1942 216161.