Development of an innovative technology for the production of lyophilisates using wave emitters for process optimisation and improved product quality

The operation, carried out by the Hartimex Operational Group, concerns the development of an innovative vacuum drying technology, using wave emitters to optimise the rate of steam release from the raw material.  

The main objective of the operation is to develop and implement, through the construction and commissioning of a device, a technology for freeze-drying fruit with the use of acoustic wave emitters for mixing raw materials to improve product quality, accelerate the drying process and reduce production costs. The innovation in the designed technology is the introduction of movement (mixing) of raw materials through the use of acoustic waves with appropriately selected parameters.

The projected technology will improve drying time and energy input (cost reduction), as well as product quality by achieving lower moisture content ratios.

• Achieving this objective requires development work to establish ranges of useful acoustic wave parameters for specific product groups. This is the first specific objective of the operation.  This phase will be carried out by the scientific partner together with the advisory body and the farmer providing the raw materials for the research from the established field experiments.  
• Based on the results of the laboratory tests, a production device will be procured, the purchase and commissioning of which is the next intermediate objective of the operation. This device will be installed at the partner's plant, in Annopol, where the relevant premises are prepared.
• Another objective will be the parameterisation of processes for individual products in relation to their properties. The operation will be implemented in one stage.                                                                               

The result of the operation will be the developed technology, implemented at the consortium member's plant and ready to be disseminated, as well as an in-kind result - a dryer made under the operation, in which innovative solutions have been applied.

The main benefits of the project

The operation concerns the development of an innovative vacuum drying technology, using wave emitters to optimise the rate of steam release from the raw material.  

The main objective of the operation is to develop and implement, through the construction and commissioning of a machine, a technology for freeze-drying fruit using acoustic wave emitters to mix raw materials and speed up and cheapen production.

• The direct beneficiary of the benefits will be the production facility, where a device operating with innovative technology will be launched, belonging to Vigrana Sp. z o.o. 

The operation will benefit both the participating consortium members and the local and national economy more broadly.  

1. The consortium member, in whose enterprise the dryer built under the operation will be installed, will gain the ability to produce an innovative product, in a cost-competitive technology.
2. The consortium leader will gain access to a technology which it will be able to apply in customised solutions for its customers.
3. The scientific partner will gain new knowledge useful for developing research work.
4. The participating farmer will not only acquire knowledge in the field production of raw materials, but will also gain the ability to contract and sell products to the launched plant.

Locally and nationally, the operation will contribute to stabilising the outlet and profitability of agricultural production, increase the commercial offer of the national economy, giving it an advantage through lower production costs. In addition, the operation will contribute to reducing energy consumption, thereby reducing the economy's impact on the environment and climate change.