Instant coffee processing and freeze drying
Freeze dryer upgrades
Solutions to improve plant performance, safety, process control and sustainability.
Maintaining peak equipment performance for a long lifespan
No one welcomes the capital expense associated with replacing processing equipment when there may be alternatives to throwing out perfectly good technology or replacing older process lines. GEA systems are built for longevity and reliability, and we believe that with proper maintenance and, where possible, upgrades, our technologies will give you many years of great service.
We’ve developed clever automation and control platforms, equipment upgrades/minor rebuilds, and cost-effective replacement components for your hard-working CONRAD® and RAY® freeze dryers. It’s our aim to keep your equipment operating at peak levels of performance, for the lifespan of your plant. And of course, in addition to configuring upgrades and improvements, we can offer on site, and 24/7 remote service packages for your CONRAD® and RAY® freeze drying plants and software.
Maintaining and upgrading your equipment isn’t just more cost-effective than replacing, it’s also the more sustainable option. Upgrading could boost your freeze drying plant’s overall efficiency, save on relative energy use and reduce downtime. You could even improve your operators’ working conditions, and make better use of their time and expertise.
Upgrades and options for coffee freeze drying on CONRAD® plants
Cold room dust filter
Our effective, efficient component filters out and help to prevent unwanted dust from piling up in your cold room, so there’s less frequent need for manual dust clearing in these uncomfortable environments.
Aluminum heating plates
Replacing the mild steel heating plates in older CONRAD® models with aluminium heating plates is a relatively easy refit that will help you secure many more years of top quality freeze drying.
Super DE-ICING for CONRAD®
Equipped as standard on recent CONRAD® freeze dryers and available as an upgrade for older models, our Super DE-ICING technology works at higher temperatures to enable faster deicing, with better control.
Granulator upgrade
This minor rebuild to the granulator adds cool airflow to keep heat-generating bearings and knife shafts cold during operation, which helps prevent coffee build up in the granulator and so reduce equipment blockage.
Stack pusher upgrade
We can upgrade your CONRAD® plant with a stack pusher that is more torque-stable than older types, so you can expect longer equipment lifespan, and better long-term reliability.
Oil dosing unit
Installed between the freeze dried coffee sifter and big bag storage, the oil dosing unit delivers a controlled amount of coffee oil to bind remaining coffee dust to the granules.
Airlock for CONRAD®
We can provide durable welded airlocks as replacements for cast housings that may crack over time. The tight fitting design of our servo motor-driven welded airlocks will help to ensure the fastest possible air evacuation.
CONRAD® trays
CONRAD® trays repeatedly pushing against each other will shorten the tray over time, and their surfaces will wear. Ask us about tray replacement to help retain best heat transfer rates and ensure reliable tray handling.
24/7 365 Software Support
Whether your plant is equipped with our CODEX® automation software or not, we’ll work with you to tailor a service package offering remote software support with our specialists 24/7, 365 days a year.
GEA OptiPartner
Our digital process control software monitors your CONRAD® plant output in real time and automatically adjusts plant working parameters, to precisely control coffee attributes, and residual moisture levels.
Plant optimization
We can review your CONRAD® plant and suggest ways to further optimize efficiency and productivity. Sometimes this can be achieved cost-effectively by adjusting process parameters or upgrading software.
Support by supervisor site visits
Properly serviced, your CONRAD® freeze dryer should give you great performance over a long lifespan. Regular site visits by GEA professionals can help you maintain your equipment and consider optional upgrades.
Options and upgrades for freeze drying food on RAY® equipment
Support through RAY® site visits
Properly serviced, your RAY® freeze dryer should offer a long lifespan. Together we can create a package of site visits by GEA specialists to help you maintain your equipment and discuss optional upgrades.
RAY® trays
Your RAY® freeze dryer trays should give you years of great service, but their surfaces will become worn over time, which affects heat transfer rates. We can advise on when it may be time for tray replacement.
RAY® process optimization
Your RAY® freeze dryer may need to run a new product. GEA can help the transition by finding the right parameters for the drying process. Ask us about the possibilities for your plant.
24/7 365 RAY® Software Support
Did you know we can often tailor a software support package that will give you access to remote help 24/7, 365 days a year, whether or not your plant is equipped with our CODEX® automation software platform.
Want to know more? Get in touch with our experts today
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