Moisture control

Humidity control is very important to the baking industry, and for the processes within it. Fisair has a variety of equipment to suit the requirements of each particular section.

Grinding the grain

The quality of the finished, powdered product, flour, etc. and its texture may be affected by moisture content of the raw material, causing the grinding machine to have difficulty turning. The absorption of damp air by the ground products, and inside the equipment itself, can prevent quality operation.

Storage and transport of flours, sugars, and other solid compounds

Moisture is one of the main problems in the bulk products sector. Moisture absorption must be avoided in order to grind grains to produce quality food, and to maximize shelf life in storage.

Fisair designs and supplies equipment that will dry the air used during product transport, so that as the product cools after processing, the moisture exuded does not condense. This will eliminate product adhesion problems and provides a hygienic, unobstructed airflow system.

Flour and sugar are hygroscopic products, having the ability to lose or gain moisture, so their method of storage and transport is vitally important.

At levels above 55% RH, sugar will begin to stick to conveyor belts. As many tons of sugar are handled an hour, the consequences of high relative humidity can very quickly become costly. Waste will increase as products are rejected, unscheduled production stops become necessary and cleaning of equipment is required.

Fermentation Chambers and Production Processes requiring humidity control

By providing the appropriate moisture homogeneously in the fermentation and production process, better enrichment of the substrate of bread is achieved.

Fisair has adiabatic humidifiers that significantly reduce energy consumption and operating costs in intensive production.

Reducing the temperature of working areas

These adiabatic humidification systems reduce the ambient temperature in work areas and enclosed spaces such as ovens, bake houses, work rooms, etc. creating a more productive working environment for operatives without  becoming overheated.

adiabatic cooling | adiabatic humidification and cooling system atomspay 3

Dust discomfort elimination

With an adiabatic or evaporative air humidifier, flour dust can be reduced, in small bakeries and large factories alike. This will ensure that bakers and employees can enjoy a much less dusty atmosphere, and will have a profound effect on all those who are allergic to flour dust.

Mould in the cooling and packaging process

In general, all fresh baked goods, including bread, are mould free when they leave the oven. Immediately afterwards, however, they become an optimal culture medium, on which spores found in the air can be deposited. It takes 2 to 3 days from the germination of a spore to the formation of a colony if the medium is favorable. These spores are an aerobic life form, needing oxygen to reproduce, so it is common for fungi to proliferate first in the cortex, or outer layer, which is the area most exposed to the air contained within the bag.

The control of humidity in the work environment, and the individual product container, is one of the methods of minimizing this risk.

Visual attraction for customers

In the baking industry, bread and other baked goods tend to have a short shelf life. Good humidification ensures that any decorative additions and finishes are perfectly preserved to encourage the customer to purchase the product. Visual attraction plays a key role in success as the exterior of the product encourages sale.

Cooling or freezing process capacity and ice removal

When humid air enters either a freezer or chiller and condenses on the cold surfaces inside, condensation is generated which quickly turns to frost and ice.

Production has to be stopped to clean and defrost cooling or freezing equipment for hygienic and sanitary reasons. Each time this happens the equipment has to reach the correct operating temperature before production can start again.

This causes production delays, an increased number of defrosts and waste products.

Fisair desiccant dehumidifiers can solve this moisture problem independently of temperature control and other process parameters.

Application references

Some outstanding references:

  • Vandemoortele 
  • Lafournedoree 

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