An experimental analysis of volumetric filling applications in aseptic bottling

Filling is one of the most critical phases of aseptic bottling, due to the high impact both on plant production capability and on products quality. Among others, volumetric filling exploiting electromagnetic flowmeters is a widely adopted aseptic filling technology, since it allows maintaining protective atmosphere in specific areas of the bottling plant. However, in order to precisely and accurately quantify the liquid flow to be bottled, electromagnetic instruments require specific properties of fluids, such as conductivity and rate. Moreover, high viscosity fluids, as well as fluids characterized by solid particles, can involve several issues when filled with volumetric systems. Basing on these premises, this paper presents some results emerged from an experimental analysis, whose aim has been to identify the main limits of the current volumetric filling technique, in terms of fluids type and rheological properties, as well as solid particles dimensions. A preliminary analysis has been carried out in order to select suitable food fluids to be tested by means of volumetric filling systems. Products have been identified among a set of viable ones, the latter encompassing fluids which can potentially involve issues in volumetric filling, such as high viscosity or time-dependent fluids, as well as fluids with solid particles. Filling tests have been performed on 10 products; as a result of the tests, some conclusions can be drawn on the industrial feasibility of volumetric filling process on products examined. Suggestions for improvements of volumetric filling and future research directions are finally proposed.