Sterilbeam: FDA approvable energy based cap sterilization

Technological innovation is something that has never been done before, in a useful and easy to use way. GEA Procomac’s Sterilbeam matches all these requisites: integrated with the cold aseptic filling technology, it is transforming the sterilization concept from chemical to energy based.

«The system provides sterile caps to the GEA Procomac capping machine», explained Roberto Delmonte, GEA Procomac Automation R&D Manager, speaking from the GEA Group’s stand where the Sterilbeam was on display. «Fed by a cap sorter, it is mounted on the top platform of a filling machine and it is the first machine in the beverage industry employing electron beam cap sterilization».

The advantages of Sterilbeam energy based cap sterilization system are clear: energy is available on site allowing a shorter transmission chain, there are no residuals of sterilization on the final product and the treatment time is in terms of milliseconds. Simple electron emitters are used to produce electrons and convey them into beams, these beams are directed to the caps surface killing any possible microorganisms that may be present there, by breaking and forming new chemical bounds in their molecules. The e-beam emitters are completely isolated from the external environment and shielded with lead, the electron emission does not differ much from a common Cathodic tube. The caps roll on guided rails and when they pass in front of the emitter windows they are sterilized by the e-beam.

«The process is simpler, since only voltage, current and time are monitored and there is no chemicals consumption, except for a small amount of hydrogen peroxide needed for environmental sterilization», Mr. Delmonte underlines, pointing out that the main feature of the energy based cap sterilization system conceived by GEA Procomac is that «it provides sterility using a dry process. No water is required and the machine validation is easier too, since it can be carried out without any Biological Indicators Test. Only doses delivered to caps need to be measured».

Sterilbeam energy based cap sterilization treats multiple cap formats, sizes and geometry on the same line. It reaches up to 5 Log Reduction and reduces the operational costs by 1/3, and it is an FDA approvable process.