Integrated Pineapple Juice Concentrate Processing Line
Muninmax (MNM) designs, manufactures and integrates pineapple juice concentrate processing lines—from fruit receiving and preparation through extraction, evaporation, thermal treatment and aseptic filling.
We combine MNM-built process equipment with specialist systems sourced for the project. Our engineering work connects equipment capacities, product flows and control systems across the complete production route.
Each line is developed around the pineapple supply, required throughput, concentrate specifications and packaging format. Our project scope covers line design, equipment manufacture and procurement, installation and commissioning, with responsibilities defined for each project.
Product & Design Basis
The principal product is pineapple juice concentrate (PJC) for aseptic bulk packaging.
MNM establishes the design basis from the incoming raw material and the required finished product. Juice concentration, pulp characteristics, processing requirements and packaging specifications guide the selection and sizing of the equipment.
We define three capacity points across the line:
Capacity point
Design basis
Fruit receiving capacity
The quantity, size distribution and condition of pineapple entering the line.
Evaporator feed capacity
The flow rate, concentration and pulp characteristics of prepared juice entering the evaporator.
Finished concentrate capacity
The concentrate output supplied to thermal treatment and aseptic filling.
These capacities are coordinated with operating hours, seasonal variations, extraction yield and available utilities.
Extraction yield is defined against the material entering the extraction section. Whole-fruit intake, peeled-flesh input and separately recovered juice streams are recorded on their respective bases so that equipment sizing and production calculations remain consistent.
Bypasses Evaporation (05) and Concentrate Blending (06).
Pineapple juice concentrate processing route, with juice storage before evaporation and concentrate blending before UHT treatment and aseptic filling.
Processing Stages
01
Receiving & Washing
Input: Whole pineapples delivered to the receiving area.
MNM configures fruit receiving and transfer equipment for the delivery method and required intake capacity. An inspection conveyor provides access for operators to remove damaged fruit and large foreign materials.
The washing section removes surface dirt through the selected water-spray and agitation arrangement. An elevator transfers the washed fruit toward grading. Additional rinse sprays form part of the washing arrangement when specified.
Output: Inspected and washed pineapples ready for grading and peeling.
Main equipment: Fruit receiving system, inspection conveyor, washing tank, spray system and elevator.
02
Grading & Peeling
Input: Washed whole pineapples.
The grading section separates fruit by diameter and directs it to the appropriate peeling equipment. MNM determines grading ranges, distribution arrangements and peeler quantities from the fruit-size profile and required throughput.
Drum peelers separate the pineapple flesh from the skins. Dedicated handling routes carry the flesh toward extraction and collect the skins separately.
Output: Prepared pineapple flesh for crushing and extraction, with skins discharged through a separate route.
Main equipment: Diameter grader, distribution conveyors, drum peelers, flesh conveyor and skin conveyor.
03
Crushing & Extraction
Input: Prepared pineapple flesh.
A hammer mill reduces particle size before extraction. The extractors separate juice from the crushed material and discharge the remaining cake through a separate handling route.
MNM configures successive extraction stages using low-pressure and high-pressure equipment. Cake from an upstream stage feeds the next selected stage for further juice recovery.
We determine the extractor arrangement, number of stages and feed distribution from the raw-material characteristics, condition of the incoming cake and required extraction duty.
Output: Extracted pineapple juice for preparation and storage, with extraction cake collected separately.
Main equipment: Hammer mill, transfer pump, extraction units, interstage conveyors, juice collection tank and residue conveyor.
04
Juice Preparation & Storage
Input: Pineapple juice collected from the extraction section.
The juice preparation section establishes the feed conditions required for evaporation. It includes preheating and the selected pulp-separation or adjustment process.
MNM defines the preparation arrangement from the required juice characteristics and the needs of downstream evaporation and thermal treatment. Separation equipment is selected and integrated for the specified duty.
Prepared juice is collected in Juice Storage Tanks before evaporation. We size the tanks and define agitation and temperature-control provisions around the operating schedule and product conditions.
The evaporator feed pump transfers juice from storage at the required feed rate.
Output: Prepared pineapple juice supplied to the evaporator at the specified feed conditions.
Main equipment: Juice preheater, selected separation equipment, juice storage tanks and evaporator feed pump.
05
Evaporation
Input: Prepared pineapple juice supplied from the juice storage tanks.
The evaporator removes water from the juice to produce concentrate at the specified concentration.
MNM designs the evaporation system from the feed rate, water evaporation load, target concentration and product characteristics. Pulp content, viscosity and temperature limitations guide the heat-transfer arrangement and operating conditions.
We select the number of effects and evaluate thermal or mechanical vapour recompression (TVR/MVR) against utility availability, operating hours and project economics. Energy-recovery equipment is incorporated into the selected configuration.
Juice feed, concentrate discharge and product transfer are coordinated with the upstream storage and downstream blending sections.
Output: Pineapple juice concentrate at the specified concentration, ready for batch blending.
Main equipment: Evaporator, heat-exchange and vapour-handling equipment, product transfer pumps, instrumentation and control system, plus energy-recovery equipment included in the selected configuration.
06
Concentrate Blending
Input: Pineapple juice concentrate discharged from the evaporator.
Blending tanks collect concentrate produced during the evaporation run. Agitation combines the collected product to establish batch uniformity and balance variations between portions of the concentrate.
MNM designs the blending arrangement around the concentrate characteristics, batch size and operating schedule. Tank capacity, agitation, insulation and temperature-control provisions support the specified blending duty.
Blending serves a distinct purpose from juice storage before evaporation and from recipe mixing. Its focus is the consistency of the collected concentrate batch.
Output: Blended pineapple juice concentrate ready for UHT treatment.
Main equipment: Concentrate blending tanks, agitators, product transfer pump and the specified temperature-control and measurement equipment.
07
UHT Sterilization
Input: Blended pineapple juice concentrate supplied from the concentrate blending tanks.
The UHT system provides controlled heating, holding and cooling before aseptic filling.
MNM defines the thermal-processing arrangement from the product characteristics, required throughput and agreed processing requirements. Heating temperature, holding time and cooling duty are established for the specific application.
The concentrate passes through the heating and holding sections, then cools to the specified filling temperature. A closed aseptic product path connects the thermal-treatment system to the filling equipment.
Process instrumentation and controls monitor the operating conditions and coordinate product transfer with downstream readiness.
Output: Thermally treated and cooled pineapple juice concentrate ready for aseptic filling.
Main equipment: Product feed pump, heat-exchange sections, holding section, cooling sections, process instrumentation, control valves and integrated control system.
08
Aseptic Filling
Input: Thermally treated pineapple juice concentrate cooled to the specified filling temperature.
The aseptic filler receives concentrate through the closed aseptic product path and fills the selected packaging format.
MNM configures aseptic filling systems for Bag-in-Drum, Bag-in-Bin and Bag-in-Box production. We define the filling, package-support and handling arrangements for the required combination of formats.
Drum and bin configurations use the appropriate lifting equipment to support the package during filling. Bag-in-Box arrangements use manual bag loading or an automatic feed system for compatible continuous-web bags.
The specified measurement system controls the filling quantity. Filled packages leave the machine through the discharge and handling arrangement defined for the line.
Output: Pineapple juice concentrate in aseptically filled bags, supported by drums, bins or boxes according to the selected format.
Main equipment: Aseptic filling machine, measurement and control system, package lifting equipment, selected bag-feeding equipment and discharge handling equipment.
Line Integration & Control
MNM engineers the connections between extraction, juice storage, evaporation, concentrate blending, UHT treatment and filling.
We coordinate equipment capacities, tank duties, pump selection and product-transfer requirements across the line. The control arrangement connects operating schedules and equipment readiness with the required product flows and processing conditions.
PLC and HMI systems provide equipment control, process monitoring and operator access. The control functions cover the relevant tank levels, feed requests, product flow, temperature monitoring and equipment status.
The UHT and filling systems operate as a connected process. Product transfer is coordinated with thermal-processing conditions and filling-system readiness. Operating, shutdown, cleaning and sterilization sequences are defined for the equipment and product paths involved.
MNM also integrates equipment within our scope with existing customer equipment and systems from other manufacturers. During project engineering, we define communication methods, signal exchange, connection points and interface responsibilities with the participating parties.
MNM defines the juice-preparation arrangement for the required pulp characteristics. Separation equipment and operating conditions are coordinated with downstream evaporation and thermal treatment.
Additional Single-Strength Juice Production
For projects producing both concentrate and single-strength juice, MNM develops the product routes around the required production plan.
The single-strength juice route proceeds to thermal treatment and filling without passing through evaporation and concentrate blending. We assess shared-equipment duties, production scheduling and product changeovers when defining the combined arrangement.
Packaging Formats
Bag-in-Drum, Bag-in-Bin and Bag-in-Box production can be configured individually or in combination.
MNM selects the lifting, bag-feeding and discharge equipment for the required packaging formats and handling method.
New Installations & Plant Expansion
MNM develops complete new lines and integrates new processing sections into existing plants.
For expansion projects, we review the retained equipment, available capacity, product conditions, layout and control interfaces before defining the integration work.
Project Requirements
Share the following information so that MNM can define the processing arrangement and prepare a proposal.
Information
Details to provide
Raw material
Pineapple variety, seasonal availability, fruit-size distribution, condition, receiving method, and available juice °Brix and pulp data.
Capacity & operating schedule
Fruit intake, required concentrate output, operating hours and seasonal schedule. State whether intake refers to whole fruit or peeled flesh and whether crowns are included.
Target product
Concentrate °Brix, pulp characteristics and other product specifications, including any additional single-strength juice requirement.
Packaging
Required formats, filling quantities, and available bag, spout and container specifications.
Site & layout
Floor space, building dimensions, clear height, installation access, layout restrictions and available drawings.
Utilities
Electrical supply, steam, cooling water, chilled water, process water and compressed air, including available capacities and supply conditions. Include drainage and effluent-handling provisions.
Existing equipment
Equipment to be retained, capacities, operating conditions, connection points and control systems.
Scope & schedule
New installation or expansion, supply and site-service responsibilities, and target implementation schedule.
Start with the information available. MNM reviews your production objectives and identifies the remaining inputs needed to develop the design.
