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Case Studies

STABLE PEANUT BUTTER PRODUCTION FROM PROCESS TO PACKAGE

Votator® II Scraped Surface Heat Exchanger and Universal® 1 Positive Displacement Pump

Peanut butter manufacturers need to deliver consistent texture, appearance and stability in every jar — at filling and throughout the product’s shelf life. One of the most common challenges is oil separation, which is closely tied to how peanut butter is cooled, finished and transferred before packaging

By combining Waukesha Cherry-Burrell® Votator® II scraped surface heat exchanger technology with Universal 1 external circumferential piston (ECP) pumps, processors can maintain controlled cooling and steady product flow for reliable, repeatable peanut butter production.

Challenge

Peanut butter is a high-viscosity, oil-continuous product that requires precise temperature control during finishing. If the product exits the process too warm or is cooled unevenly, the oil phase can remain mobile and gradually separate during storage. This can create a visible oil layer while negatively affecting texture, appearance and overall product consistency.

The challenge becomes even greater in continuous, high-throughput production. Long processing runs require consistent cooling without frequent interruptions, but highly viscous peanut butter can build up on conventional heat-transfer surfaces. This fouling can lead to uneven cooling, additional cleaning stops, greater maintenance requirements and reduced production uptime.

Processors therefore need a system that can provide stable temperature control and product flow while minimizing buildup and keeping production moving.

Solution

The peanut butter finishing solution combines two complementary Waukesha Cherry-Burrell technologies: the Votator II Scraped Surface Heat Exchanger and the Universal 1 ECP pump.

The Votator II uses eccentric scraper blade rotation to continuously renew the heat-transfer surface as peanut butter passes through the unit. This scraped-surface action helps:

  • Improve heat transfer
  • Minimize product buildup on heat-transfer surfaces
  • Provide more uniform cooling
  • Maintain repeatable product exit temperatures
  • Support longer continuous production runs

Precise exit-temperature control is particularly important because it helps stabilize the peanut butter before packaging, reducing the potential for oil separation during storage.

The Votator II is paired with a Waukesha Cherry-Burrell Universal 1 pump, which provides smooth, predictable volumetric flow for viscous products such as peanut butter. Different pump sizes can be selected for individual duties, with one pump providing stable feed into the finishing stage and another transferring finished product toward packaging based on the line configuration and required capacity.

Together, the technologies help maintain consistent residence time, temperature control and gentle product handling throughout the finishing process.

Result

The combination of scraped-surface cooling and controlled product transfer provides peanut butter processors with a stable finishing process designed for continuous production.

  • Reduced Oil Separation: Consistent exit-temperature control helps limit oil migration during storage and improves finished-product stability.
  • Consistent Product Quality: Uniform cooling helps processors maintain repeatable texture and appearance from batch to batch.
  • Stable Product Flow: Universal 1 pumps provide predictable volumetric flow through the heat exchanger and onward to packaging.
  • Reduced Buildup: Continuous scraping of the heat-transfer surface helps minimize fouling, common with highly viscous peanut butter.
  • Lower Downtime and Maintenance: Reduced fouling can decrease cleaning interruptions and maintenance requirements during extended production runs.
  • Scalable Production: The combined Votator II and Universal 1 system provides a reliable approach for continuous, high-throughput peanut butter processing

Learn more about Waukesha Cherry-Burrell Votator solutions
Votator II Scraped Surface Heat Exchanger

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