Krones serves up soft drinks solution

Krones' has sold its 1000th Contiflow unit, its new-generation series of mixers for the soft drinks sector.

The blending system can be used for continuous production of highly disparate beverages.

It has new output ranges, a higher maximum output, stepless output regulation, an easy-access pump configuration, rigorous use of flanged connections, and a revised deaeration philosophy.

The Contiflow is available in five different sizes, delivering up to 90 cubic metres per hour. Each Contiflow can be steplessly adjusted from 33 to 100 per cent of rated output, matched automatically to the speed of the filler. All Contiflow machines share a clearly structured design. Clients have a choice between three different deaeration processes: one-stage vacuum deaeration, two-stage vacuum deaeration, and two-stage pressure deaeration.

The Contiflow consists of the deaeration, dosing and carbonating modules, thus uniting three processes in a single machine. Due to its modularised construction, the product family includes a two-component system, a multi-component system with up to eight dosed-in individual components, a carbonating system as a stand-alone machine directly upstream of the filler, and a dedicated water deaeration system.

Due to interactive communication between the machines, Krones has reduced the internal changeover times for the Contiflow to provide the capability for efficient processing of smaller batches. This process technology helps achieve a changeover time of 10 minutes in the line as a whole.

In addition, recuperative heat exchangers cool down the vacuum pump’s sealing water, enabling loss-free operation and contributing to Krones AG’s enviro-sustainability concept.

The thousandth Contiflow mixer will soon go into operation.