Stainless Steel Tank with Agitator for Food Production

Stainless steel tank with agitator for food production designed and manufactured by BEMA.

When food manufacturers invest in new process equipment, requirements for hygiene, operational reliability and documented quality are absolutely essential. This case describes a project where BEMA developed and delivered a custom-designed stainless steel tank with an integrated agitator for a Danish producer of liquid food products. The customer required a solution that could ensure consistent product quality, high capacity and efficient cleaning – while also being integrated directly into an existing production line with minimal modifications.

The challenge for the stainless steel tank

The customer produces a range of temperature-sensitive food products, where homogeneity and gentle handling are crucial for taste, consistency and shelf life. Their previous tank had become a limitation in production:

• The agitation was not sufficient to ensure a stable and uniform product mass
• A jacket needed to be established that could both receive steam for heating and subsequently cold water when the medium needed to be cooled
• Cleaning required long downtime and manual effort
• The capacity was too low compared to increasing demand
• Documentation requirements from retail chains and authorities had become stricter

The customer therefore requested a solution that combined modern hygienic design, efficient agitation and full process control – without compromising operational reliability.

The solution for the stainless steel tank design

BEMA developed a custom-designed stainless steel tank in 1.4404 / AISI 316L with an effective volume of approximately 3,000 liters. The construction was designed with a focus on hygiene, cleanability and optimal process control. The solution included, among other things:

• An agitator with variable speed, designed for gentle yet efficient homogenization of the product
• A conical bottom and fully welded internal surfaces ensuring full drainability and eliminating the risk of product residues
• An integrated CIP system, significantly reducing cleaning time and ensuring uniform cleaning of all surfaces. The CIP system was handled by an external party
• An insulated jacket for temperature control, allowing the product to be maintained within narrow tolerances throughout the process. The jacket can be used for both heating and cooling. See another solution where the medium is heated here
• Plug-and-play installation, allowing the tank to be integrated directly into the customer’s existing plant without major modifications

The design was developed in close dialogue with the customer’s production technicians to ensure that functionality, ergonomics and service access matched their daily workflows.

Result

BEMA designed and manufactured a tank that improved both production flow and product quality. The key benefits were:

• 30% shorter process time thanks to more efficient agitation and faster temperature control
• Consistent product quality across batches, reducing waste and quality deviations
• Significantly shorter cleaning cycles, as the CIP system ensures fast and complete cleaning without manual intervention
• Higher capacity and the possibility to expand production without investing in parallel systems
• Documented hygienic design, making it easier to meet requirements from both authorities and retail chains

Conclusion

This project demonstrates how a custom-designed stainless steel tank with an agitator can improve quality, efficiency and hygiene standards in food production. By combining mechanical expertise, process understanding and flexible design, BEMA delivered a solution that precisely matched the customer’s needs – and is future-proof in terms of capacity, documentation and operation.

If you require a similar solution or need guidance on process equipment for the food industry, we are ready to assist.

See an example of a similar solution here

FAQ: Stainless steel tank with agitator for food production

What is a stainless steel tank with agitator used for in the food industry?

A stainless steel tank with an agitator is used for producing liquid or semi-liquid food products, where homogeneity, temperature control and gentle mixing are essential. It ensures consistent quality and stable process control throughout production.

What are the benefits of an integrated agitator?

An integrated agitator provides efficient and controlled mixing, reducing process time, improving product consistency and minimizing the risk of sedimentation or uneven mass. Variable speed allows the process to be adapted to different product types.

How are hygiene and easy cleaning ensured in the tank?

The tank is designed with fully welded internal surfaces, a conical bottom and an integrated CIP system, ensuring fast, uniform and complete cleaning without manual effort. This reduces downtime and the risk of contamination.

Can the tank be adapted to existing production lines?

Yes, the solution can be delivered as plug-and-play, allowing direct integration into existing plants with minimal modifications. This makes it easy to upgrade capacity and process quality without major investments in new production lines.