Melting tanks

A melting tank is used for melting cocoa liquor, cocoa butter and fat blocks.

The blocks of fat or butter melt on the melting grid and keep warm and in liquid form inside the jacketed tank

The tank, the jacket, the grid, the hood, all are built from stainless steel. The hood is removable for cleaning purposes.

The melting grid, is placed on top of the melter, and is made out of stainless steel tubes. Hot water (up to 90°C) run through the tubes to melt the butter/fat blocks. The melting grid is removable if needed to clean the tank.

The jacketed tank is also made out of stainless steel, and its sidewalls and bottom are insulated at the outside with rock wool. The insulation can be covered with metal sheets made out of carbon steel or stainless steel. Hot water (up to 40°C) runs through the jacketed walls and bottom to maintain the butter or fat at its liquid form, while a stirrer ensures the butter/fat stays warm throughout its mass. A scrapper can also be equipped for more difficult fats such as cocoa mass.

A discharge pump or strainer, is connected at the lowest point of the tank through a discharge opening.

indicative melting tanks drawings

cocoa mass melter

butter melter

Steam or water is provided by the customer. A heater is installed for warming up the water for the melting grid, while for the jacketed tank, a closed circuit runnning with water or special heating oil, is heated through electrical resistances. For special occasions, and by request of the customer, two seperate hetares can be installed, one for the grid and one for the jacketed tank, or one heater for the grid and a heat alternator for the jacketed tank.

Temperature sensors are placed within the tank and tubing to measure temperatures of the water as well as the products. All readings can be shown on local displays or run through a PLC/Scada system.