Project: Coffee extract concentration;
Location: Indonesia;
Equipment: Four-effect falling film evaporator;
Working medium: coffee extract;
Treatment capacity: 12,000kg/hr;
Inlet concentration: ≤10%;
Outlet concentration: 60%;
Steam consumption: 2,500kg/hr.
The coffee extract concentration project is designed to process coffee liquor from the extraction stage, increasing the solid content from approximately 12 wt% to 60–65 wt%. The concentrated extract is subsequently dried into powder form using a spray drying system, producing high-quality instant coffee.
A four-effect falling film evaporator is adopted for the concentration process, carefully selected based on the properties of the coffee liquor. In particular, coffee extract has a strong tendency to foam during evaporation. The falling film design minimizes liquid residence time and reduces turbulence, effectively suppressing foam formation while ensuring high efficiency and gentle product handling to preserve flavor and aroma.
A four-effect falling film evaporator is utilized to meet the demands of large-scale production, fully leveraging the excellent fluidity of the coffee extract. The system enables efficient heat transfer, stable operation, and minimal thermal degradation, ensuring consistent product quality.
In addition, due to the foaming characteristics of coffee liquor, the falling film evaporation mode is especially advantageous. By forming a thin liquid film along the heat transfer surface, the system reduces foam buildup and prevents product entrainment, contributing to smoother and more reliable operation.
To further improve energy efficiency, a Thermal Vapor Recompression (TVR) system is integrated into the process. By recovering and recompressing a portion of the secondary steam generated in the first effect, the system reuses this energy as the heating medium. This significantly reduces fresh steam consumption and lowers operating costs.
The plant is equipped with a fully automated control system, featuring one-button start/stop and one-button CIP (Clean-in-Place) cleaning. This advanced automation ensures ease of operation, consistent performance, and reduced labor requirements—providing a highly reliable and cost-effective solution for modern instant coffee production.
Flexible Material Distribution
Adapts easily to changes in feed flow, ensuring smooth and stable operation.
Fast, Gentle Heating
Single-pass evaporation under vacuum protects heat-sensitive materials.
Easy Monitoring
Sight glasses and level gauges make liquid levels simple to observe and adjust.
High Heat Efficiency
Eliminates temperature loss from static pressure, enabling multi-effect operation and reduced steam consumption.
Energy-Saving Design
Low pump flow and minimal installed power cut energy costs without compromising performance.
