both visually and with SEM imaging. In the event of a lab-scale
Couette Cell with 6 times smaller gap between the two cylinders
(5 mm vs. 30 mm) and 50 times lower capacity (0.14 l vs. 7 l), a
product with the same fibrous structural patterns was obtained at
95 C, 30 RPM and 15 min. The increase in temperature and process
time in the up-scaled Couette Cell, compared to the lab-scale
counterpart, is necessary due to the increased product thickness.
A study of the local structure formation across the thickness of the
product (bottom, centre and top) was conducted and no significant
differences were observed due to the high variations in the results.
The energy input (SME) for the production of highly fibrous meat
replacers with the up-scaled Couette Cell was ranging between 8.6
and 63.1 kJ/kg. The Couette Cell can be further scaled up linearly
(increased length) and is amenable to continuous operation.