Used Tunnel Pasteurizers for Beverage Lines
Tunnel pasteurizers thermally treat sealed bottles or cans after filling and closing. They are widely used for beer, cider, soft drinks and other packaged beverages where controlled heat treatment is part of the product process.
Process Principle
Packages travel through multiple heating, holding and cooling zones while water is sprayed over the containers. The temperature profile is controlled to deliver the required pasteurization treatment while limiting thermal stress on product and packaging.
What to Check Before Buying
Confirm container type, package dimensions, required residence time and process temperature profile. Inspect conveyor chains or belts, spray headers, pumps, heat exchangers, tanks, filtration, zone controls, insulation and corrosion condition. Verify the machine footprint and utility requirements.
Integration
The pasteurizer must match filler and packer throughput and allow for accumulation upstream and downstream. For cans, stable conveyor transfer is important; for glass bottles, thermal shock and bottle handling need consideration.
Documentation
Ask for process drawings, electrical documentation, zone configuration and maintenance history for the specific unit.