Hi everybody,

We are currently planning to re-commission our Vitaline popsicle line and are just trying to get our heads around some of the numbers. Being that New Zealand only has a handful of these machines we could do with all the help we can get and although we have a few people looking into this for us I figure asking here couldn't hurt either.

Sorry if we are missing some key specs but please ask for what you see if missing and I will post it up.

Temps required: The old specs sheets reads "Cooler must have the capacity to cools brine from -28 f to -32 f at 250GPM

Our Vitaline is programmed to run at two speeds:

* 8 cycles (8 x 6 mold strips) per minute
* 16 cycles (16 x 6 mold strips) per minute

Each mold strip will contain a total of 432ml of fluid product at a filling temp 4 degrees Celsius

* 8 cycles - ~ 3.5 liters per minute
* 16 cycles - ~7 liters per minute

There is constantly ~130 molds in the brine with a new one going in every 7.5 / 3.75 seconds respectively.

The molds travel along the conveyor for ~18 minutes (8 cycles p/m) or ~9 minutes 16 cycles p/m)

Brine flow has been recommended 250 GPM or ~1000 litres

Working time for the Vitaline is expected to be in the range of 3 - 6 hours per production day.

For compressors we currently have 2 x 32 Hp compressors - Copeland low temperature units at our disposal.

Our current recommendation is to set up our skid using the Copeland's equipped with braised plate heat exchangers and air cooled condensers with the brine (Calcium or Glycol) running through an insulated 1000 liter holding tank on one side of the Vitaline to offer a buffer.

This should be a good start and I can fill in the gaps and you ask.