Contherm scraped surface heat exchangers
The Contherm® scraped surface heat exchanger is a high-efficiency single-wall SSHE designed for continuous and semi-continuous processing of products across a range of viscosities. Whether handling low-viscosity fluids or thick, particulate-rich materials, it ensures consistent heat transfer, reduced fouling, and gentle product handling. With flexible heating and cooling capabilities, the scraped surface heat exchanger optimizes efficiency in food, pharmaceutical, chemical, and personal care.
Versatile heat transfer with Contherm scraped surface heat exchangers
- Versatile solution that can handle particles up to 36 mm and viscosities well in excess of 50,000 cP.
- Easy-to-clean design can flexibly transition between products with limited downtime.
- Multiple material options ensure efficient heat transfer and reliable mechanical performance.
- Flexible installation with horizontal or vertical configuration to meet space limitations.
- Vertical installations include a built-in hydraulic system that allows for fast and safe inspection with low service costs.
The Contherm heat exchanger is the most adaptable heat transfer solution on the market, engineered to handle varied viscosities and processing conditions. It operates at pressures up to 21 bar (300 PSI) and supports scraping speeds from 25 to over 1000 rpm, ensuring optimal heat exchange efficiency.
This versatility allows manufacturers to enhance production in industries such as:
Food & Beverage: Sauces, creams, and pastes
Protein & Dairy: Processed meats, whey proteins, and cream cheese
Pharmaceuticals & Cosmetics: Lotions, gels, and emulsions
Industrial Applications: Petrochemical and chemical processes
How a scraped surface heat exchanger works
A scraped surface heat exchanger operates by continuously removing product buildup from the heat transfer surface, ensuring consistent thermal performance.
The key functionality
Product Entry: The product enters through the bottom tangential inlet, ensuring smooth flow.
Heat Exchange: The heating or cooling medium flows counter-currently through a narrow annular channel and this maximizes heat transfer efficiency and ensures even temperature distribution.
Continuous Scraping: Rotating blades remove fouling and promote uniform heat exchange, reducing shear stress.
Gentle Product Handling: A corkscrew flow pattern maintains product integrity while ensuring a low-pressure drop.
Product Exit: The product is discharged from the top, ready for the next processing stage.
The scraping speed and flow rate can be customized based on product characteristics, allowing precision control over processing conditions.
More than you thought possible
For continuous processing of demanding products, the complete Contherm® scraped surface heat exchanger range provides endless possibilities. In fact, today Alfa Laval is the only supplier on the market who can offer robust heat transfer with both double and single-wall scraped surface heat exchanger solutions.
We understand that no two customers’ needs are identical. That’s why Contherm® scraped surface heat exchangers are always fully tailored to fit the intended application. The end result is more: more capacity, more efficiency and – most importantly – more profitability. When it comes to your business, who doesn’t want more?
Viscous products
The complete Contherm® range provides scraped surface heat exchangers for continuous processing of any type of challenging viscous liquid. Whether dealing with low or medium-viscosity products or those with extremely high viscosities, there is a member of the Contherm® family to fit your needs.
Example applications include: ketchup, mayonnaise, hummus, chocolate spreads, fruit pie fillings, gravies and sauces, whipped/aerated products, peanut butter, pizza sauces, puddings, salad dressings, salsa and taco fillings, sandwich spreads, bread dough, mechanically deboned meat (MDM), gelatine, omelets, baby food, nougat, skin lotions, shampoos, liquorice, and more.
Efficient processing of heat-sensitive products
Many heat-sensitive products tend to foul or degrade under extreme temperatures. The Contherm heat exchanger prevents burn-on, ensures uniform heating/cooling, and maintains product quality.
Example Applications
Dairy & Protein: Cream cheese, whey proteins, liquid and scrambled egg products.
Food Processing: Meat emulsions, fruit purées, and specialty sauces.
Crystallizing products and applications with phase change challenges
Preserving taste, colour and/or texture is a particular challenge for manufacturers of products that can undergo crystallization. We work with your business to find the optimal Contherm® scraped surface heat exchanger solution to fit your production.
Example applications include: coffee/tea extracts, icings and frostings, sugar concentrates, margarines, shortening, spreads, gelatine broth, lard, fondant, biscuit creams, solvents, fatty acids, petroleum jelly, beer and wine, and more.
Products with particulate matter
Contherm® scraped surface heat exchangers are always built to the specifications of the target duty. Whether you are processing products with large, small or mixed particles, or switching between non-particulate and particulate products, your Contherm® can be adapted to meet the demands.
Example applications include: meat, chicken pieces, fish meal, pet food, jams and preserves, yoghurt with fruits, a variety of fruit preparations, rice pudding, vegetable pieces, and more.
Optimized performance for sticky products
Sticky, high-adhesion products can cause processing issues in traditional heat exchangers, leading to clogs, waste, and inefficiencies. The Contherm heat exchanger is specifically designed to handle sticky substances efficiently while maintaining heat transfer performance.
Example Applications
Food & Confectionery: Caramel, processed cheese, lecithin, and starch-based products.
Pharmaceutical & Cosmetic: Gums, gelatine, mascara, and toothpaste.
Key products
Service
Contherm Service Offering
Partnering with Alfa Laval for the service of your Contherm scraped surface heat exchanger will ensure your heat exchanger is always working at top performance.
- Easy commission and installation
- Safe start-up
- No unexpected downtime
- Reduce total costs of ownership
- Upgrade your scraped surface heat exchanger to achieve more
Learn more
What is a SSHE and why Alfa Laval Contherm® is the best choice!
In this webinar, Alfa Laval Contherm® will explain the basic principles of a Scraped Surface Heat Exchanger (SSHE) and what are the unique values associated with this technology.
