Coffee industry

Anhydro is recognized internationally as a leading supplier of liquid and powder processing technology to many different industries including the coffee processing industry.

Process - production of instant coffee

In the production of instant coffee, coffee extract is produced by extracting the roast and ground coffee with hot water in high-yield percolators. The non-soluble coffee grounds, which remain in the percolator after extraction, can be mechanically dewatered to a residual moisture of 52 % H²O, permitting incineration for energy generation. After the extraction process, the aromas are recovered and the coffee extract is concentrated under gentle conditions, followed by either spray drying into a powder or freeze drying into a granule.

Applications for green been handling, roasting and grinding
Anhydro specializes in the down-stream processing of extract concentration, drying and agglomeration. Expertise within green bean handling, roasting, grinding, extraction, freeze drying etc. is provided in collaboration with leading European suppliers in the Anhydro Coffee Processing Technology Alliance (ACPTA).

Anhydro engineers and supplies complete and integrated turn-key process lines for soluble coffee powder, soluble freeze dried coffee granulates and canned-liquid coffee. Together with its ACPTA partners, Anhydro supplies all required plant utilities (steam boiler, air compressor, water chiller, cooling tower, etc.) based on the latest technology for:

• Green Coffee Bean Section
• Coffee Bean Roasting and Grinding Section
• Percolator Filling
• Extraction
• Aroma Recovery
• Extract Draw-Off (removal of undesired off-flavours formed during high-yield extraction)
• Spent Ground Handling (mechanical dewatering to render spent coffee grounds suitable for incineration)
• Extract Cleaning
• Extract Concentration
• Extract Storage
• Spray Drying (the selection of the spray dryer design is based on the desired end-product powder structure)
• Rewet Agglomeration
• Freeze Drying
• Integrated Advanced Process Control System
• Jar Filling / Packing Lines

Special design features for optimum coffee aroma retention
A feature of Anhydro spray dryer designs is gentle drying conditions that secure optimum coffee aroma retention. Anhydro's coffee technology enables precise control of important soluble powder properties.

Coffee extract gasification
Anhydro has commercialized a novel coffee extract gasification unit for CO₂ and N₂ dosing under high pressure (after the high-pressure pump), enabling simultaneous extract gasification with CO₂ (in liquid form) and N₂ to deliver unparalleled control of essential end-product properties such as:

• Colour (brightness) of the final soluble coffee powder
• Particle size distribution and powder structure
• Bulk density
   

Modernization and retro-fitting
Anhydro provides modernization and retro-fitting services for existing coffee plants resulting in significant enhancement of end-product quality, as well as minimizing water consumption, and cutting energy costs. In addition, Anhydro supplies individual plant components tailored to customer requirements.