Sediment causes problems for processors as its burns oil if not removed, reducing the quality of both the oil and fried foods.
FMC FoodTech's MX-20 MicroMax is designed to filter medium to high single fryers of breaded and battered products, especially those using flour, which causes oil quality to deteriorate significantly, claims the manufacturer.
The centrifugal filter continuously handles up to 75 liters (20 gallons) of hot oil per minute, removing all particles above one micron, the company claims.
A second filtration system - the sediment conveyor belt - runs opposite the product path, filtering out particles at the infeed so they do not travel through the fryer and burn, causing further deterioration and off-flavors.
The centrifugal MX-20, which was displayed at this year's International Poultry Exposition in Atlanta, filters all the oil in a medium deep fat frying system about nine times per eight hour shift, claims FMC.
The requirement for changeovers, which is a problem especially for firms with a single medium size fryer, is reduced because the MX-20 filters more than one complete turnover of oil per hour.
Since the filter allows frying capacity and rates to be maintained, while reducing the changeovers, processors can expect significant cost savings.
FMC claims installation of the filter reduces oil usage by virtually eliminating the need to discard it.
The filter has been designed with a small footprint to enable it to be integrated into existing fryer installations with limited available space, claims FMC.
The filter can also be incorporates an automatic clean-in-place (CIP) system, making cleanup easier and significantly reducing labour and sanitation costs, the company claims.
Jan Gaydos, FMC FoodTech's North American marketing director, said the new filter offers all the features and benefits of existing MicroMax products currently on the market.
"The MX-20 improves the efficiency, quality and consistency of an existing production operation in a cost effective manner," he said.
FMC FoodTech is a subsidiary of FMC Technologies, headquartered in Chicago. The company offers a range of processing and packaging solutions to the food and beverage industries