Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for manufacturing food products. In a general embodiment, a system for manufacturing a food product is provided and includes at least one heat exchanger, at least one food product tank, at least one steam source having a steam valve, a computer having a computer processor, and a computer-readable medium accessible to the computer and containing a software program therein that is programmed to cause the computer processor to automatically control the steam valve to move from a first position to a second, calculated position to maintain a temperature of a heating medium that is sufficient to maintain sterility of the food product during a recirculating water-to-food product transition in the heat exchanger. Methods for manufacturing food products are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for mitigating finished product temperature transients caused by changes in product flow, raw product temperature, or other disturbances in an aseptic sterilization process. The methods and systems include applying an energy balance feedforward control scheme to the aseptic sterilization process to compensate for raw product temperature changes and changes in product flow. The methods and systems prevent damage to a finished product from occurring based on adverse transient temperature responses of heaters and coolers in an aseptic sterilization process.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for manufacturing food products. In a general embodiment, systems for manufacturing a food product include at least one heat exchanger, at least one food product tank, at least one conduit downstream of the food product tank for flow of the food product, and a flow detection device coupled to an exterior of the conduit. The flow detection device includes a processor and a computer readable medium storing instructions which, when executed, cause the processor to perform a spread spectrum analysis of the flow of the food product through the conduit. Methods for manufacturing food products are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for manufacturing food products. In a general embodiment, systems for manufacturing a food product include at least one heat exchanger, at least one food product tank, at least one conduit downstream of the food product tank for flow of the food product, and a flow detection device coupled to an exterior of the conduit. The flow detection device includes a processor and a computer readable medium storing instructions which, when executed, cause the processor to perform a spread spectrum analysis of the flow of the food product through the conduit. Methods for manufacturing food products are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for manufacturing food products. In a general embodiment, a system for manufacturing a food product is provided and includes at least one heat exchanger, at least one food product tank, at least one steam source having a steam valve, a computer having a computer processor, and a computer-readable medium accessible to the computer and containing a software program therein that is programmed to cause the computer processor to automatically control the steam valve to move from a first position to a second, calculated position to maintain a temperature of a heating medium that is sufficient to maintain sterility of the food product during a recirculating water-to-food product transition in the heat exchanger. Methods for manufacturing food products are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for mitigating finished product temperature transients caused by changes in product flow, raw product temperature, or other disturbances in an aseptic sterilization process. The methods and systems include applying an energy balance feedforward control scheme to the aseptic sterilization process to compensate for raw product temperature changes and changes in product flow. The methods and systems prevent damage to a finished product from occurring based on adverse transient temperature responses of heaters and coolers in an aseptic sterilization process.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for coordinating and balancing continuous product production, including continuous flow processes such as aseptic sterilization with package filling rate. The methods and systems include an averaging level control scheme to actively manage the balance between the continuous flow rate and the package filling rate. The methods and systems allow the flow rate to be adjusted for changes in the package filling rate, preventing a need for stoppage of the continuous product production.