Surface drying system for pasta production
Ensure optimal surface drying of pasta and snacks post-pasteurization, preventing product sticking while maintaining consistent humidity levels to enhance product quality and production efficacy.

Dries and Controls Surface Moisture in Foods
The CA – Drying Zone and its advanced variant, the CA HE – Drying Zone High Efficiency, are engineered by GEA to precisely manage surface drying in food processing. This equipment effectively dries pasta and snacks post-pasteurization with its dual ventilation systems, using controlled hot air to ensure consistent moisture removal and prevent product sticking. Featuring a stainless-steel structure with circular section design, the machine facilitates easy washing and maintenance, minimizing downtime.
The systems accommodate belt widths ranging from 750 mm to 2000 mm and drying chamber lengths of up to 8 meters, providing flexibility for various production scales. The CA HE variant includes a sophisticated condensation system for enhanced humidity control, crucial for maintaining high-quality end-products like fusilli, ravioli, and cornflakes. Operational efficiency is boosted by PLC-controlled extractors and inverter-controlled ventilators that optimize air and energy use. Designed for continuous, high-speed operations, the equipment integrates seamlessly into existing production lines, offering food processing companies critical support for maintaining dry end-products such as pasta and snacks.
Benefits
- Enhances product quality by preventing sticking with efficient surface drying.
- Minimizes production downtime with easy-to-clean, accessible design.
- Optimizes energy use through inverter-controlled ventilation systems.
- Ensures precise humidity control for consistent product moisture levels.
- Seamlessly integrates into high-speed, continuous production lines.
- Applications
- Snacks,Breakfast cereals,Fresh pasta,Pasta
- End products
- Spaghetti,Cornflakes,Granola bars,Fusilli pasta,Tortilla chips,Rice puffs,Potato chips,Elbow macaroni,Ravioli,Spiral macaroni,Penne pasta
- Steps before
- Pasteurization
- Steps after
- Packing,Coating
- Input ingredients
- humid product,pasteurized product
- Output ingredients
- dried product,non-sticky product
- Market info
- GEA is known for its expertise in engineering innovative and sustainable equipment and solutions, focusing on sectors such as food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, and energy, with a reputation for quality, efficiency, and advanced technological applications in industrial processing.
- Usable belt width
- 750 - 1500 – 2000 mm
- Drying chamber length
- 3-6 m
- Drying chamber length
- 5-8 m
- Automation
- PLC-controlled
- Automation level
- PLC-controlled
- Batch vs. continuous operation
- Inline Continuous
- Cleaning method
- CIP / Manual
- Energy efficiency
- 0.5–2 kWh/kg moisture
- Cleanability
- Stainless steel structure for easy cleaning
- Corrosive resistance
- Stainless steel
- Density/particle size
- Compatible with various pasta sizes
- Usable belt width
- 750 - 1500 – 2000 mm
- Drying chamber length
- 3-6 m
- Drying chamber length (HE version)
- 5-8 m
- Construction material
- Stainless steel
- Machine structure
- Circular section
- Panel design
- Inclined bottom panel
- Accessibility
- Openable lateral panels hinged
- Ventilation System Control
- PLC-controlled
- Humidity Control
- Customizable Percentage
- Belt Width
- 750 - 1500 - 2000 mm
- Drying Chamber Length
- 3-6 m
- Stainless Steel Structure
- Yes
- Openable Panels
- Hinged Accessibility