Infrared pre-treatment for cocoa beans
Achieve optimal cocoa nib separation and consistent moisture control while preventing premature roasting with this infrared pre-treatment solution, engineered to streamline your chocolate production process and enhance final product quality.
Enhances Moisture Control and Separation Efficiency
The LAB IR from Bühler Group is a laboratory infrared pre-treatment system designed to enhance cocoa processing by effectively managing moisture control and optimizing separation. This system uses infrared heating in a rotating drum design, insulating cocoa beans from early roasting while maintaining constant nib moisture. Key features include integrated water spraying systems for efficient shell detachment and homogeneous product flow, tailored specifically for cocoa and chocolate applications such as cocoa nibs and liquor. Ideal for both pilot and batch operations, this equipment aligns seamlessly with manual laboratory and pre-processing needs. Its closed construction ensures safe, contamination-free operation, while Bühler’s expertise allows for customizable configurations to match specific production requirements.
Benefits
- Maximizes yield by maintaining constant moisture levels during separation.
- Prevents roasting effects to ensure optimal flavor preservation in cocoa products.
- Enhances processing efficiency with integrated water spraying for challenging cocoa varieties.
- Promotes safe and hygienic operation with a fully enclosed system.
- Customizable to meet specific production requirements, supporting a tailored processing approach.
- Applications
- Chocolate,Cocoa
- End products
- Chocolate couverture,Artisan chocolate,Milk chocolate,Cocoa powder,Gourmet chocolate bars,Compound chocolate,Cocoa liquor,Cocoa nibs,Dark chocolate,Chocolate chips
- Steps before
- Dehulling,Grain handling
- Steps after
- Nib-shell separation,Packing
- Input ingredients
- cocoa beans,high shell content cocoa beans,moisture content cocoa beans
- Output ingredients
- cocoa nibs,efficient nib-shell separation,constant moisture content,top yield,pre-treated cocoa beans
- Market info
- Buhler is renowned for manufacturing advanced process solutions for food, feed, and advanced materials. They are highly regarded for their innovation in milling technology and equipment quality.
- Automation
- PLC-controlled
- Pre-treatment method
- Infrared
- Drum design
- Insulated rotating drum with conveying spiral and deflector pins
- Moisture content control
- Integrated water spraying system
- Temperature control
- Below product altering temperatures
- Hygiene
- Closed construction
- Shell detachment support
- Water injection system
- Batch vs. continuous operation
- Batch / Inline Continuous
- Automation level
- Manual / PLC / SCADA
- Short heat impact
- Prevents early roasting
- Moisture control
- Uniform throughout process
- Integrated water spraying system
- Harmonizes moisture content
- Safety and hygiene
- Closed construction
- Rotating drum
- Insulated with conveying spiral and deflector pins
- Integrated water spraying system
- Yes
- Closed construction
- Yes
- Control panel type
- Touchscreen / HMI
- Integration possibilities
- Modular / Inline
- Water spraying system
- Integrated/Adjustable