Fat Melting and Mixing Tank with Auger Mixer 400 / 800 L

Fat Melting and Mixing Tank with Auger Mixer 400 / 800 L

The Fat Melting and Mixing Tank with an Inclined Auger Mixer is a batch-processing unit designed for melting, heating, and mixing fats and other viscous food products. It is suitable for food production applications where solid or semi-solid ingredients must be brought to, and maintain a uniform, pumpable consistency before further processing or packaging.

The equipment is particularly suitable for processing coconut butter and similar products that become solid or highly viscous at lower temperatures. It can also be used for other vegetable fats, fat-based ingredients, and products with comparable melting and mixing requirements.

The combination of an insulated heating jacket, an inclined auger mixer, and a sloping tank bottom supports controlled heating, continuous internal product movement, and efficient discharge of the melted product. The unit is available in two tank capacities: 400 L and 800 L.

Applications

• Melting coconut butter and coconut-based fats
• Melting vegetable fats and other suitable edible fats
• Heating and mixing fat-based food ingredients
• Preparing viscous ingredients for pumping, dosing, or filling
• Mixing products that require controlled heating to achieve a uniform consistency
• Holding and gently agitating melted fats before transfer to the next processing stage

Depending on the product formulation and required process conditions, the tank can be integrated into food production workflows involving mixing, pumping, dosing, and filling equipment.

Operating principle and heating system

The product is loaded into the stainless-steel working tank and heated indirectly through a water jacket. Electric heating elements heat the water within the jacket, transferring heat to the product through the tank wall.

Indirect heating provides a controlled method of warming fats and viscous ingredients without direct contact between the heating elements and the product. This helps reduce the risk of localized overheating compared with direct heating, provided that the temperature, heating power, and mixing conditions are properly selected for the product.

The operating temperature is set using the temperature control system. As the product warms and its viscosity decreases, the auger mixer circulates the material throughout the working tank, helping achieve a more uniform consistency. The required heating temperature and processing time depend on the type of fat, its initial state, the batch size, and the desired final consistency.

Inclined auger mixer

The tank is equipped with a reinforced auger mixer positioned at an inclined angle inside the working vessel. This configuration is designed for products that are thick, viscous, or difficult to move using conventional mixing arrangements.

During operation, the rotating auger moves the product from the lower part of the tank toward the upper section, creating internal circulation. This movement helps redistribute heat and promotes uniformity as the fat melts and becomes more fluid. The inclined arrangement, together with the sloping tank bottom, helps reduce areas where product may accumulate without sufficient movement. The mixer is designed to support effective circulation without relying solely on high rotational speeds.

A reversible mixing function can also assist product discharge by changing the direction of product movement during unloading.

Heating jacket and temperature control

The double-wall tank is equipped with an integrated water-heating system. Electric heating elements warm the water in the jacket, which transfers heat indirectly to the product. This arrangement is suitable for fats and other ingredients that require controlled and gradual heating. Maintaining an appropriate product temperature is particularly important when processing ingredients whose viscosity changes significantly during melting.

The heating power can be selected according to the tank capacity, product characteristics, initial product temperature, and required heating time. A higher heating power may be beneficial for larger batches or processes that need faster heating.

Adjustable temperature control is included in the basic configuration. A PID temperature controller can be offered as an additional option for applications requiring more precise, automatic temperature regulation.

Main advantages

• Controlled indirect heating: The water jacket transfers heat through the tank wall, helping avoid direct exposure of the product to heating elements and supporting controlled melting.
• Effective circulation of viscous products: The inclined auger mixer promotes movement between the lower and upper sections of the tank, helping distribute heat and achieve a more uniform consistency.
• Suitable for different fats and formulations: The equipment can process coconut butter, vegetable fats, and other compatible ingredients, subject to their melting temperatures and processing requirements.
• Reduced product accumulation: The inclined mixer and sloping tank bottom are designed to minimize areas where viscous material can remain trapped during processing and discharge.
• Efficient unloading: The outlet is positioned at the lowest point of the tank, while the sloping bottom and reversible auger action help reduce residual product after processing.
• Flexible production capacity: The 400 L and 800 L models allow the equipment to be selected according to batch size and production requirements.
• Mobile construction: The unit is mounted on caster wheels, allowing it to be repositioned within the production area when required.

Basic configuration

The basic unit consists of a stainless-steel working tank with a double-wall water-heating jacket and an integrated electric heating system. It is equipped with an inclined auger mixer and drive unit, a sloping tank bottom, and a low-positioned product outlet valve for convenient discharge. The unit also features adjustable temperature control, an upper inspection hatch with a transparent cover, and a mobile frame with caster wheels. The design provides a combined solution for heating and mixing, allowing fats and viscous ingredients to be prepared in a single batch-processing vessel.

Depending on the production requirements, the following additional options can be offered:

• Variable frequency converter for adjustable mixer speed
• PID temperature controller
• Product discharge pump
• Increased heating power, subject to tank capacity and electrical requirements

Technical specifications