Fermentation Tanks for Alternative Protein Production

Plant or Cellular Processing

Fermentation is vital in the production of Alternative Protein or Animal-Free foods. Fermenters assist in processing plant-derived ingredients and enablers into foods that carry the same texture, mouth-feel and flavor of animal-derived meat and dairy products.

In cell-based meats, fermentation can help produce growth factors, aiding in the production of the food. 

Different Types of Food Fermentation

Borrowing from the Good Food Institute's 3 definitions of food fermentation:

  • Traditional fermentation uses intact live microorganisms to modulate and process plant-derived ingredients
  • Biomass fermentation leverages the fast growth and high protein content of many microorganisms to efficiently produce large quantities of protein
  • Precision fermentation uses microbial hosts as “cell factories” for producing specific functional ingredients. 

Our equipment engineering expertise can help you determine which fermenter is best for your process. And answer questions you may be having around scale-up, repeatability and sustainability.

Getting to Commodity Levels of Production

If you have been using a pilot system or co-packer in your production and the time has come to scale up, we can partner with you to determine the best equipment design and processes for maximum efficiency and repeatability. We can build one piece of equipment or scale up your entire plant for continued success and efficiencies of scale. Should you require on-site construction resources, those can be provided through our trusted vendor network. Then when you're ready, that plant can be duplicated in another location.

We can help you with sizing, heating and cooling aspect, the ratio of tank design and agitation, and cleanability. 3A sanitary standard available.

Heat Transfer in Alternative Proteins

  • Full-coverage heat transfer design
  • Sustainable options - attached heat exchanger stacks that capture any extra heat or steam heat and reuse in the plant, depending on purity
  • Zone control of temperature 
  • Meeting cooling requirements. We can work with you to identify if a chiller is needed
  • Easy cleanability
  • Standard or custom designs and sizes

Agitation in Alternative Protein Production

Agitation can be the difference between a reaction working or not working. Our agitators can control the following, providing you the end result you are looking for: 

  • Loads and limits
  • Consistency
  • Even temperature spread
  • Eliminating hot and cold spots
  • Appropriate mixing levels for efficient reaction
  • Hydrofoil agitation options

Contact us today to learn more about our fermenter scale-up process and how it can work with your operation. 

 

Features

  • ASME Code and additional code requirements available
  • 3A standard available
  • Up to 80,000 pounds shop weight. Any weight and size for field-built.
  • Structural Engineering, Heat engineering, Agitation engineering
  • ASME heads, flanged and dished, rounded or cone
  • 2 Cooling Zones on Shell
  • 1 Cooling Zone on Cone
  • 3" of Insulation for shop built, higher options for field built
  • Fully Welded Stainless Steel Outer Jacket
  • Cleanability testing (sprayball or CIP)

Finish Options:

  • Wide range of finishes, including Electropolish and 32ra

Mounting Options:

  • Adjustable Base Plates
  • Base Plate Tank Jack
  • Support Lugs
  • Flat Bottom Tanks on concrete pads for existing structures or in a build scenario

Specifications and Sizing

Work with our innovative engineers to create a tank that is perfect for you and your process. At Paul Mueller Company we work to meet all your needs and with our various shapes, sizes, and specifications we are confident that we will be able to make a high quality product that you will love.

Financing

Finding the right equipment that fits within your budget can be daunting. At Paul Mueller Company, we understand your needs. That’s why we offer Leasing options that give you more flexibility.


Tell us more about your needs.

Our Food Partners

Their legendary brands have brought us the foods and ingredients that have stocked our pantries and refrigerators for decades. We are proud to collaborate with these food companies.