Diseño de un evaporador de simple efecto para la elaboración de mermelada de tuna para la Empresa Vita Tuna.

Abstract

A single-effect evaporator was designed for making tuna marmalade for Vita Tuna Company. To simulate the evaporation process al laboratory and experimental level (in the case of the laboratory level), it was necessary to use a single-effect evaporator which is located at the Industrial processes laboratory of ESPOCH; in this way it was possible to determine certain parameters that will be used as the basis for the dimensioning. These parameters are: raw material real concentrations that were used for making the product, the theoretical and real capacity of the evaporator, the temperatures that must be controlled and the concentration the product has to reach. During the simulation process the following experimental data were obtained: Temperatures (feeding: 19ºC, concentration: 89ºC; evaporation: 92ºC and steaming: 96ºC), Volume (initial: 7,871 l and final: 4,77 l) and the necessary time for the evaporation was fours hours. This included the validation of the single-effect evaporator through laboratory tests which resulted in the following data: marmalade final concentration 72,52 ºBx, final viscosity: 0,5396 Kg/m*s and a pH of 3,7, these parameters are under the NTE INEN 2825 norm and will be controlled during their process. In addition, mass and energy balances were carried out in order to establish the in and outflow, heat calculation in the evaporator, required steam for the elaboration of tuna marmalade. Finally, with these data and balances, it was posible to construct the single-effect evaporator that contains a storage tank with a capacity of 0,120 m3 a flat-blade mixer with a mechanic actuator that works with a 0,5 Hp motor and a serpentine type heat interchanger wich avoids sensitive heat transfer loses. Once the research was complemented, it is recommended for Vita Tuna Company to adopt the necessary measures when using the equipment.