Technical guide
Inside a continuous HTST line
The tanks, heat exchangers and holding tubes that heat and cool liquid foods on a continuous line.
A standard HTST line links a feed tank, pump, heating and cooling sections, and a holding tube. Pump flow rate and holding tube volume set the target hold time, while product thickness and heat exchanger condition shape the overall heating profile.
Many lines use a regenerative heat exchanger, where hot treated product pre-heats incoming cold liquid to save energy. Sensors along the pipe let the operator watch temperatures and flow rates throughout the run.