Trade press release

GEA presents next generation batch freeze dryers for food applications

October 30, 2024

GEA, a global leader in food and dairy processing solutions, launches its next generation batch freeze dryers, the RAY® Plus series. Building on 70 years of freeze dryer design experience, the new RAY® Plus series offers advanced technology that delivers benefits in terms of energy efficiency and hygiene, providing a more flexible and efficient solution for the food industry.
The new RAY® Plus series from GEA offers benefits in terms of energy efficiency and hygiene, providing a more flexible and efficient solution for the food industry. Source: GEA

The new RAY® Plus series from GEA offers benefits in terms of energy efficiency and hygiene, providing a more flexible and efficient solution for the food industry. Source: GEA

Freeze-drying is a highly effective method to preserve a wide range of fresh foods, from fruit and vegetables, pet food, meat and seafood to probiotics, convenience foods, instant coffee and ready meals. Health-conscious consumers value the convenience of freeze-dried smoothies and snacks, which have an extended refrigerator-free shelf life and retain their nutritional quality, taste, texture and appearance.

Flexible and Energy-Efficient Solutions

The RAY® Plus series offers a cabinet size range of 45m² to 180m², with heating plates in layers of 10, 15, or 20, and condensers on both sides. These cabinets can be combined in groups of up to six, sharing a common control and support system to improve operational efficiency and ensure even load distribution across the production floor.

In designing the GEA RAY® Plus freeze dryer GEA developed a proprietary Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) model. The model precisely calculates the flow dynamics and pressure losses under deep vacuum within the freeze dryer cabinet, ensuring optimal performance and efficiency. The result is a nearly 50 percent reduction in pressure drop within the cabinet compared to previous models, achieved by installing vapor traps on both sides of the cabinet and allowing vapor to enter from both the top and bottom.

The new series can be integrated with existing RAY® freeze dryers and connected to various cooling and heating solutions, including the latest heat pump technologies. Operating at lower temperatures with higher batch loads, the RAY® Plus achieves the same daily capacity with reduced energy consumption. The system’s flexibility allows for high sublimation rates (>3 kg/m²h) or higher capacity at low vacuum (<0,15mBar) with standard refrigeration solutions.

From the RAY®125 Plus model onward, the freeze dryers are equipped with four condensers (three in operation, one in de-icing), providing a larger condensing surface and enabling operations at a condenser temperature approximately 6 °C warmer. This configuration also allows for operation at lower vacuum levels with higher sublimation rates.

The new GEA RAY® Plus series offers a size range of 45m² to 180m² per cabinet with heating plates in layers of 10, 15, or 20, and condensers on both sides. Source: GEA

The new GEA RAY® Plus series offers a size range of 45m² to 180m² per cabinet with heating plates in layers of 10, 15, or 20, and condensers on both sides. Source: GEA

Hygiene and Ergonomics

The RAY® Plus cabinets are designed for efficient washdown, with all water running to drain points at the bottom of the circular cabinet. Residual water can be removed by applying a brief vacuum to the cabinet. The design also includes an internal camera to monitor the status inside the cabinet during operation.

User-friendly Interface

The new series features an intuitive user interface on the front of the unit, making it easy to operate and offering remote access. The comprehensive PC-based control system remains available for detailed operation and troubleshooting.

Proven rail system and trolley configurations

The RAY® Plus uses trolleys running on GEA’s proven rail system with 80mm stainless steel pipes. Trolleys are available in 20, 30, or 40 tray configurations, with the 30-tray solution compatible with RAY® cabinets. Optional solutions for automatic loading and unloading, as well as tray filling and cleaning, are also available.

Fi Europe in Frankfurt (Germany)

The new RAY® Plus series will be one of GEAs focus themes during the Fi Europe fair, which takes place in Frankfurt (Germany), from November 19 to 21, 2024. (GEA booth: Hall 3, Booth #3.0J62). Additionally, a GEA expert will be on stage to explain the new technology in detail. He shows how freezer dryer operation is affected by water vapor flow and pressure losses in the cabinet, and by the efficiency of ice formation on condensers. The presentation will take place at Exhibitor Showcase Theatre (Hall 3 - 3.0K2), November 19th, 01:00 pm.

Nicole Hoffmann

CONTACT

Phone: 49 211 9136 1503

About GEA

GEA 是食品加工行业及众多工业领域的领先供应商之一,2019 年的销售总额约达 49 亿欧元。

作为国际技术集团,我们专注于机械制造,生产运营,工艺技术及其设备组件。 GEA 为各种终端用户市场的复杂生产流程提供可持续的能源解决方案,并提供全面的服务组合。集团在长期持续增长的食品和饮料行业的收入约占其总收入的 70%。截至 2018 年 12 月 31 日,集团的全球员工已超过 18,500 人。GEA 在其业务领域中是市场和技术领导者。GEA 是德国 MDAX 上市公司(G1A,WKN 660 200),拥有 STOXX® Europe 600 指数和优选的 MSCI 全球可持续发展指数。
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