Tubular UHT Systems

APV® Tubular UHT Systems are robust, modular solutions for high-volume aseptic processing of milk, plant-based drinks, cream and other liquid foods. The systems are built for flexibility and efficiency and deliver consistent thermal treatment, long production runs and high product quality. They are available in modular or fully customized setups and support everything from basic dairy lines to complex multi-product operations.

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Indirect UHT Technology Designed for Reliable, Gentle Processing and Operational Efficiency

In dairy and beverage processing, achieving safe, shelf-stable products with consistent quality demands more than just heat, it requires precise, controlled thermal treatment. APV Tubular UHT Systems use indirect heating to gently sterilize products without compromising taste, color, or texture. They’re ideal for milk, cream, plant-based beverages, desserts and other low- to high-viscosity applications.

Today’s food and beverage processors face several key challenges:

Preserving sensory and nutritional quality during heat treatment
Managing fouling and minimizing downtime
Adapting to diverse product types and batch sizes with minimal changeover time
Controlling energy usage and operating costs in continuous production environments

Why APV Tubular UHT Systems?

Built on decades of thermal processing expertise, APV Tubular UHT Systems are engineered for consistent, hygienic and energy-efficient performance. They offer:

Uniform heating via indirect tubular exchangers for gentle thermal treatment
High energy recovery (up to 90%) to reduce utility consumption and operating costs
Modular, flexible design to support custom configurations and future expansion
Low fouling performance for extended run times and fewer interruptions
Long operation windows between CIP cycles to boost productivity
Broad product compatibility, from milk, cream and oat drinks to custards and sauces
Custom engineering options for specific product or compliance requirements
Operator-friendly automation with intuitive controls, recipe management and integrated CIP
Pre-assembled and factory-tested for faster installation and commissioning
Compliance-ready with global standards including ASME, PMO and 3-A
Low maintenance and lifecycle costs for dependable, long-term performance
Pilot testing support through SPX FLOW innovation centers to accelerate development and scale-up
Backed by SPX FLOW’s global service network, including training, preventive maintenance, spare parts and remote diagnostics, ensuring consistent uptime and strong ROI.

Distinctive Advantages

Modular and scalable, allowing configuration flexibility and easy upgrades
Fully customizable to match plant layout, utilities and regulatory standards

Applications

UHT milk and flavored milk
Plant-based beverages (e.g., oat, soy, almond, rice)
Cream and coffee creamers
Dessert bases (e.g., puddings, custards, flan)
Ice cream mix and milkshake base
Fruit preparations and sauces
Nutritional drinks (including medical and infant formulas)
Soups and savory emulsions
Liquid egg products
High-viscosity and particulate-containing products (optional with custom design)

Theory of Operation

The APV Tubular UHT System applies indirect UHT processing via a series of stainless-steel tubes and heat exchangers. The modular system typically includes:

Preheating – Incoming product is preheated by outgoing sterile product for energy recovery.
Sterilization – Product is indirectly heated to 135–145°C using steam or hot water in the heat exchanger.
Holding – The sterilized product passes through a defined holding section to meet time-temperature requirements.
Cooling & Regeneration – Cooled by regenerating heat to incoming product, followed by final chilling.
Aseptic Transfer – Product is transferred to sterile fillers or tanks under aseptic conditions.

This controlled aseptic food processing method ensures food safety, long shelf life and product consistency.

Our APV Tubular UHT Systems are engineered to deliver precision, efficiency, and versatility in ultra high temperature (UHT) processing. Below is an in-depth look at the system’s specifications that make it ideal for aseptic processing:

Product Specifiations
Processing capacity:	2,000 – 40,000 L/h (530 – 10,570 U.S. gal/h)
Product temperature profile:	Up to 145°C (293°F)
Viscosity range:	Up to 1,000 cP
Heat regeneration:	Up to 90%
Pressure Rating:	Up to 30 bar (435 psi)
Materials:	316L stainless steel
CIP-ready:	Yes
Configurations:	Modular and fully customized systems available

Our APV Tubular UHT Systems come with a range of premium options to further customize and optimize your aseptic processing operations:

Designed according to ASME, PMO and 3A
The system is optionally designed to comply with ASME, PMO and 3A accommodating regulatory requirements for global markets
Energy Efficiency
The system is equipped with advanced energy-saving features:

Non-Aseptic Cooler (NAC): This patented design achieves up to 67% energy recovery during sterilization and cleaning processes, significantly reducing operational costs.
Condensers with Energy Recovery: A set of condensers enables an additional 12% energy recovery, which can be reused internally or externally within the UHT plant, enhancing overall energy efficiency.
Sterile Water Unit: This feature produces sterile water for the homogenizer, eliminating the need for condensate and contributing to resource optimization.
Hibernation Mode: During waiting times, the intelligent energy reduction mode saves over 50% in energy consumption, making the system extremely efficient even when not in active production.

Aseptic Pulsation Dampener
The aseptic pulsation dampener reduces pressure fluctuations within the system, ensuring steady product flow and maintaining an aseptic system and product integrity. By stabilizing pressure, this option enhances product safety and consistency, especially when dealing with delicate or high-viscosity products.