Food and Beverage Processing

Kadant multi-passage (MP) rotary unions are ideal for the food and beverage industry, where production lines often require precise, simultaneous transfer of multiple media to rotating equipment. In applications such as bottle washing, canning, packaging, mixing, and thermal processing, MP rotary unions provide separate, leak-free passages for steam, water, hydraulic oil, coolant, air, or inert gas, supporting efficient heating, cooling, cleaning, and actuation functions within a single compact assembly. Their ability to integrate slip rings for electrical power, signal, or data transfer is especially valuable in automated food-grade systems, where temperature control, motion, and process monitoring must work together seamlessly. Designed for reliability in demanding sanitary environments, Kadant MP rotary unions help ensure consistent product quality, reduced downtime, and long-term equipment performance.

Kadant over-the-shaft (OTS) rotary unions are a robust solution for food and beverage processing equipment that requires heating, cooling, or fluid transfer through roll journals, such as in chill rolls, heated drums, laminators, and packaging or converting lines. Sealing directly around the journal, OTS rotary unions convey water, steam, air, hydraulic oil, or other process fluids into and out of internal roll passages while the roll and drive system are in motion, helping maintain precise temperature control and consistent product quality. Built with stainless steel, bronze, and aluminum components for corrosion resistance and long service life, these custom-engineered unions are configured to match each roll journal’s size, number of ports, and operating conditions. High- and low-speed designs, along with options that support easy removal and field repair, help food and beverage processors reduce maintenance downtime and keep critical production assets running reliably.

Kadant rubber expansion joints and flexible metal hoses are essential components in the steam, condensate, and process piping systems that support the food and beverage industry. Found throughout critical piping networks, rubber expansion joints manage thermal expansion, vibration, and equipment movement under high-temperature and pressure conditions, while flexible metal hoses compensate for misalignment and movement between critical equipment. Together, they ensure safe, reliable, and efficient operation of process piping systems, extending equipment life and improving production uptime.

The SX rotary joint provides a durable, leak-resistant connection between stationary piping and rotating cylinders found throughout the food and beverage industry. Critical applications include steam and thermal oil service for drum dryers, rotary cookers, heated mixing drums, and sauce and jam production lines. Designed with an optimized seal diameter, convex seal ring, and maximum carbon guide separation, it delivers extended seal life and reduced maintenance in continuous high-temperature operation. Available in through-flow and dual-flow configurations, it supports speeds up to 550 RPM and temperatures up to 650° F (343° C), while adjustable syphon clearance and self-aligning seal technology enhance condensate removal and joint stability, ensuring consistent heat transfer and reliable performance in demanding thermal processing environments.

The ELSX rotary joint delivers next-generation, extended-life sealing performance for steam and thermal oil service in food and beverage processing applications such as drum dryers, rotary cookers, cereal and snack dryers, and confectionery processing rolls. Built for high-pressure, high-speed, and vibration-intensive environments common in continuous production, this robust solution features a convex seal design that provides up to 20% greater pressure-velocity (PV) capability and up to 15% longer seal ring life compared to traditional rotary joints. The result is improved uptime, reduced maintenance frequency, and consistent thermal performance in demanding cooking, drying, and heating operations.

The RX rotary union is purpose-built to deliver reliable, contamination-free performance in demanding water processes commonly found in food and beverage operations. Its balanced mechanical seal, supported by precision ball bearings or optional tapered roller bearings, ensures smooth, stable rotation under high loads while minimizing maintenance requirements. Featuring a stainless-steel nipple and assembly plate, this innovative solution is engineered for extended bearing life and robust, corrosion-resistant sealing in hygienic environments. Fully stainless-steel FDA-certified versions are also available for applications requiring elevated sanitary standards. Offered in single- and dual-flow configurations from 3/8 inch to 6 inches, the RX rotary union provides dependable, long-lasting fluid transfer across a broad range of food and beverage processing systems.

Kadant jet products are engineered to control steam pressure and temperature, recovering and reusing steam energy to improve efficiency, stability, and sustainability. Found throughout steam and condensate systems in the food and beverage industry, these components play a vital role in optimizing heat transfer and process performance. Thermocompressors increase the pressure and temperature of low-energy blow-through steam by mixing it with high-pressure motive steam for reuse, while desuperheaters reduce the temperature of superheated steam through direct water injection to produce steam ideal for cooking, drying, and heating applications.

Kadant’s LMX smart pump gives food and beverage processors a reliable, automated way to return condensate to the boiler, improving energy efficiency and supporting consistent steam-based heating processes essential for cooking, sterilization, pasteurization, and clean-in-place (CIP) systems. Engineered for demanding environments, the compact, skid-mounted pump features a protective steel cabinet and a large touchscreen interface that delivers real-time system visibility, diagnostics, and maintenance alerts. Optional radar level sensing eliminates moving parts, while the 360° stack light provides clear, plant-floor status indication. With scalable capacity and optional redundant pumping, the LMX smart pump helps ensure stable condensate return, reduced downtime, and trouble-free integration into food and beverage operations.

Kadant steam and condensate systems are engineered to deliver consistent steam heating while efficiently removing condensate in food and beverage processing applications such as rotary drum dryers, bakery ovens and proofing systems, cereal and snack dryers, sauce and soup kettles, blanchers, and heated packaging rolls. Integrating rotary joints and unions, syphon systems, and control and automation technology, these systems maintain stable steam flow, optimize heat transfer, and prevent water buildup in dryers, cookers, heat exchangers, and rotating equipment. Effective steam and condensate management minimizes steam hammer and temperature variation, supports uniform cooking and drying, reduces energy consumption, and helps processors achieve consistent product quality, improved throughput, and reliable operation under stringent food safety standards.