According to the general
process flow scheme shown in Fig. 1, the investigated
plant has a mix tank where all the ingredients
such as fructose, acidulants, vitamins,
aromating agents, caffeine etc. are added together
with treated water previously obtained from tap
water; a filter; a gas tank; and a packaging unit.
The water treatment unit consists of a resin filter
used for water softening, another filter and an
activated carbon tank. After the addition of treated
water, fructose and acidulants to the mix tank a
pasteurization process takes place at 75°C for
20 min. When the temperature is cooled down to
30°C other ingredients are introduced. The tank
contents are then passed through a filter to get rid
of possible residues. In the subsequent filling unit
the prepared energy drink is canned with CO2 introduction.
Only cleaning and subsequent rinsing
operations applied to all the units previously men