Use of 3-A Standards in the Juice Industry

3-A Sanitary Standards, Inc. (3-A SSI) is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to enhance product safety for consumers of food, beverages, and pharmaceutical products through the development and use of 3-A Sanitary Standards and 3-A Accepted Practices. This presentation is intended to introduce the significance of 3-A Standards and Accepted Practices for the dairy and food processing industries, describe the formation and role of the new 3-A SSI, and present the benefits of expanding the use of 3-A Standards into new industries, such as the juice industry, for the mutual benefit of equipment fabricators, users, and regulatory professionals. Paper published with permission.

Engineering Solutions for Lightning and Surge Protection

The main objective of this work is to discuss the significant impacts associated with lightning and electrical surges in large, complex electrical power systems. Electrical systems have evolved significantly in the last 10 years resulting in high penetration of electronics for automation, control, and protection. A representative example of this can be readily observed in the migration from single speed motors to VFD or electro mechanical relays to microprocessor based, multifunction relays. These electronic devices are very sensitive to electrical surges, noise and the presence of harmonics caused by a multitude of sources. These sources, such as variable speed drives, computers, electronic light ballasts, and power supplies, are now embedded in our electrical systems and heighten the need for lightning and surge protection. Paper published with permission.

Packaging for Citrus Juices

Packaging is usually referred to as the container holding a specific product. It is more accurate to refer to a packaging system, since many components are used together to make a package able to meet the needs of a product. A packaging system must meet four specific objectives: • to protect the product • to extend product shelf life • to communicate the product to the customer • to be convenient to the customer A packaging system has many components and several levels of packaging. For example, a packaging system must include a shipping container where inside packaging units are found, which usually group a certain amount of individual packages. Only the retail size of a packaging system will be addressed for the purpose of this article. Paper published with permission.

World-Class Standards for Ammonia Refrigeration Systems

In spite of the fact that anhydrous ammonia is classified as a highly hazardous chemical, it continues to be the preferred refrigerant for industrial refrigeration users. Ammonia systems offer high-energy efficiency, low capital cost, and simplicity that other systems simply cannot match. This paper summarizes Tropicana’s approach to addressing possible safety concerns with their large refrigeration systems, by developing and implementing “World-Class” standards, and upgrading existing plant facilities. The largest single undertaking in this process was the building of a 14,000-ton compressor room in Bradenton, Florida, to replace a large and antiquated central machine room. This complex and difficult project required a thorough consideration of refrigeration design principles and serves as the major backdrop for the following discussion. It is hoped that others can learn from this juice processor’s experience in search of “World-Class” standards for safety, reliability, and efficiency of their refrigeration systems. Enhancing the safety of a plant’s ammonia systems should be a common goal for all processors in our industry. Paper published with permission.

Integration of Statistical Process Control Data Into Control and Information Systems for Production Optimization and Regulatory Compliance

Data and Information from the plant floor is proliferating as more sophisticated machinery, instrumentation, and computer based devices are introduced into the manufacturing process. The use of Statistic Process Control to utilize this data goes beyond just measuring and analyzing product specific information. Food processing and manufacturing operations need to integrate real-time data and SPC data analysis into their operation in order to be a world-class manufacturer. To facilitate these goals, an organization must have a vision for an automation and information infrastructure as well as a data strategy. This discussion will touch on a number of key points in formulating that vision, as well as some specific functionalities using data and SPC that one would want to achieve. Paper published with permission.

Successful CIP Cleaning

Cleaning and sanitation play key roles in ensuring that the final product from the manufacturing process achieves the desired quality standard. Clean-in-place (CIP) is becoming common in food, beverage, and dairy facilities as the most cost effective method for cleaning. This paper will provide a concise overview of the operation and principles of CIP cleaning, an introduction into managing equipment fouling, and the role that cleaning chemicals play in the cleaning process. Paper published with permission.