Turnkey Projects 
Instant Coffee Plant
COFFEE
Coffee is a brewed beverage prepared from roasted seeds, commonly called coffee beans, of the coffee plant. Due to its caffeine content, coffee has a stimulating effect in humans. Today, coffee is one of the most popular beverages worldwide. Approximately 90% of world coffee production is represented by the species Coffea arabica; about 9% by the species Coffea robusta; with minor production from the species Coffea libericia. Most processed coffee available in the market are differentiated in terms of Aroma, Blend and Flavour which comes from the way it is processed. Processing coffee to a perfect blend and taste is an art and requires excellent techniques of extraction, roasting, concentration, aroma recovery, spray drying and agglomeration.
SSP & COFFEE
SSP has designed and supplied coffee extractors, instant coffee powder plant, aroma recovery system, evaporator, spray dryer and agglomerator to quite a large number of instant coffee manufacturers in India and abroad which are running successfully. With our core competency lying in the field of evaporation and drying technology SSP has collaborated with leading manufacturers of green coffee cleaning, blending, roasting and grinding equipment manufacturer to supply instant coffee plants on turn key basis. SSP has also collaborated with leading companies for supply of continuous freeze drying equipment for production of freeze dried coffee. Coffee produced from SSP's plants have excellent aroma due to our extensive knowledge and experience on coffee. SSP offers the most energy efficient soluble coffee processing technology and are in a position to supply upto 15TPD instant coffee production plant. Coffee plants with smaller capacities are also available e.g. 50 kg/hr, 100 kg/hr, 150 kg/hr, 200 kg/hr, 250 kg/hr of instant powder production capacities. SSP has already designed, engineered and supplied a few complete plant on turnkey basis & is negotiating a few more.
THE PROCESS IN BRIEF:
1. CLEANING & BLENDING OF GREEN COFFEE
The first step is thorough cleaning of defective beans, & separation of nails, stones, dirt & dusts. Blending of beans is carried out before roasting by installing volumetric feeders at the outlet of the silos. Through this process various kinds of blends are obtained depending on the taste and demand of the market.
GREEN COFFEE CLEANING
2. ROASTING & GRINDING OF GREEN COFFEE
Roasting of coffee beans develops the flavor & aroma which depends on various physical & chemical changes which occur during roasting. Degree of roast & roasting temperature are very important and plays an important role in deciding the flavor and colour of the final product.
COFFEE ROASTING CUM GRINDING UNIT
3. COFFEE EXTRACTION SYSTEM
The third step is extraction of ground coffee through a continuous process in a pressurized vessel with hot water. To get a better yield seven batteries of counter column extractor cell is used featuring extraction under closely controlled system. Extraction is greatly influenced by factors like type of green coffee beans, degree of roast, type of grind, ratio of coffee to water & mode of heat input.
COFFEE EXTRACTION
4. CLARIFICATION SYSTEM
The extracted coffee solution is passed through a centrifugal clarifier to separate the insoluble solids.
CLARIFICATION UNIT
5. AROMA RECOVERY CUM CONCENTRATION SYSTEM (ARC System)
After clarification extracted coffee liquor is passed through the aroma recovery cum evaporation plant. In the plant the volatile aroma is stripped off from the coffee before it enters the evaporator. Based on the boiling points of the aroma constituents SSP has developed a new technology for the extraction of these aroma without diluting them with the water vapours so the result is more pure and concentrated aroma. This technology is called the ARC System which stands for AROMA RECOVERY CUM CONCENTRATION SYSTEM which is integrated with the evaporation system. In the evaporator concentration of the extract is done through multi-effect evaporators with TVR systems for concentration up to 50-55%. It is possible to concentrate the extract further up to 65-70%, to reduce the load on freeze drying system.
AROMA RECOVERY UNIT
6. COFFEE CONCENTRATION
The next step is concentration of the extract through multi-effect evaporators with TVR systems upto 50% concentration is achieved.
EVAPORATION SECTION - PART 2 CALANDRM SECTION
7. SPRAY DRYING SYSTEM
The concentrated coffee is then converted to instant coffee powder by spray drying. Drying is done under controlled conditions to protect and preserve aroma and flavor in the coffee.
SPRAY DRYING SECTION
8. AGGLOMERATION SYSTEM
Lastly, the Spray dried powder can be converted into soluble (instant) granules in an agglomerator tower by Re-wet agglomeration technique. This technique results in the formation of bigger sized porus particles, and reduces the bulk density thereby increasing the instant ability of the powder. Hence when a spoon of this agglomerated powder is put in water, it disperses completely due to the osmotic pressure of the liquid.
AGGLOMERATION SECTION
9. PACKING & FILLING
The instant coffee powder is then taken to the tote-bins for storage & packing. For filling into tins or jars, vacuum operated filling system is used. For filling into sachets, a form fill-sealing machine is used. The filled containers/flexible packing are packed in the shipping cartons and sent for dispatch to the finished goods warehouse.
UNIQUE FEATURES OF SSP'S INSTANT COFFEE PLANTS
- Integrated Evaporation and Aroma recovery system, both of which can be controlled from one PLC.
- Saves lot of energy as pre-heating is carried out with generated vapours in the evaporator.
- The system provides aroma at a higher concentration and is not diluted with water vapours.
- Availability of concentrated Aroma allows higher concentration feed to Spray Dryer, which increases productivity.
- Unique Agglomerator design ensures stronger particle with less fines.
- Aroma Recovery System consists of Rotating Stripper Column which makes it sturdy and easier to handle.
- SSP evaporators are most energy efficient. In a 5 effect plant with TVR the specific steam consumption is 0.12 Kg/Kg i.e 1 Kg of steam evaporates 8 Kgs of water.
- Flexibility in Agglomerator for obtaining required bulk density.
SSP'S UNIQUE EVAPORATOR DESIGN ENSURES:
- Highest energy efficiency.
- High Product Quality.
- Compact design.
- Easy operation & automatic control.
- Low operation cost.
SSP'S UNIQUE SPRAY DRYER DESIGN ENSURES:
- Flexibility in controlling powder quality and production of instant powder.
- Less down time for maintenance purposes.
- Possibility of expanding capacity upto 100%.
- SSP has supplied more than 50 spray dryers, the biggest one is having a powder output of 38 TPD.
Instant coffee powder is usually made by evaporation of coffee extract upto 40-45% concentration by use of an evaporator followed by spray drying at a high temperature (180-220 °C ). This results in change in appearance, colour, loss of aroma and taste. 