Chlorine dioxide for pasteurizer, cooling tower, and more

After many years under development and numerous tests, we are happy to present an optimally aligned package for disinfecting the LinaFlex tunnel pasteurizer, which can now also be expanded to other machines. Our disinfectant uses a new formula and is generated from two Krones colclean components directly in the bottling plant. Krones delivers the necessary technology: the generator, pump, and distributor. Producers benefit in several ways from this concentrated expertise in terms of both their machinery and consumables use. 

Less corrosive, more effective

What’s new is that beverage and food producers can now use inexpensive chlorine dioxide for disinfection, without worrying about causing corrosion on their machines. That’s because chlorine dioxide from the Krones colclean series is produced differently: Besides sodium chlorite, the new process uses a sulfuric acid product for the first time that was optimized by KIC Krones. Compared to customary formulas that use hydrochloric acid, this one generates far less corrosive byproducts that would otherwise damage stainless steel and thus shorten the machine’s service life. The oxidation number of this chlorine dioxide far exceeds other conventional disinfectants, and this powerful disinfectant efficiently prevents biofilm build-up, even at low dosage. 

High product safety

Comparisons with sodium hypochlorite solution and organic biocides show that the chlorine dioxide produced from Krones colclean components is gentler on materials and more effective. When conventional media are used, dosage and pH value must be set very precisely, otherwise the result could be insufficient disinfection and, on top of that, rust damage to the machine. This risk is lower when chlorine dioxide is used, thanks to its broader application in terms of pH value, temperature, and water quality. 

Smaller ecological footprint

Another important factor is that chlorine dioxide has a short half-life and therefore far less impact on the environment: It gradually breaks down into harmless byproducts. Thus, all it takes to ensure that no residues remain in the wastewater is to allow enough time to elapse between the last dosing and the draining of the water from the machine. By contrast, sodium hypochlorite solution leaves adsorbable organic halogens in the wastewater, which must be removed in a complex process, while organic biocides leave behind toxic microorganisms. 

Lower operating costs

Because chlorine dioxide has a short shelf life, a chlorine dioxide generator is needed in the plant in order to make using the disinfectant economically feasible. It’s an investment that pays for itself quickly since the more effective disinfectant lowers consumables costs in the long term and helps increase machine uptime. 

Perfectly matched, from our one-stop shop

The generator uses batch technology to ensure that 50 or 100 liter storage tanks always contain sufficient chlorine dioxide. In addition, Krones delivers a starter kit that includes the colclean components along with the generator. Bottlers also receive services like chemical consulting and support from KIC Krones. The experts at KIC Krones, the group’s consumables specialist, know the Krones machinery portfolio inside and out and tailor their recommendations to the respective machine. This cooperation is what enables us to provide maximum benefit to customers. The package consisting of generator and chlorine dioxide components from a single source gives food and beverage producers the advantage of a system that is optimally integrated into the machines’ process and seamless support. 

One generator serves many consumers

The concept was initially developed for the LinaFlex pasteurizer. It proved successful three years ago, in a field test at a German brewery. Since then, several companies from the food and beverage sector, in Germany and the USA, have decided to implement the system. 

After these positive experiences on the market, Krones and KIC Krones took the next step, and the process is now also used for the cooling tower, conveyor lubrication system, and bottle washer up to the penultimate zone. And therein lies one of the concept’s great strengths: It is transferrable to many additional consumers as long as disinfection is followed with a fresh or sterile water rinse. And if the generator is used for multiple machines, the payoff is all the better.