Allpax

Retort Controls Overview

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Features

• Developed by Food Scientists and process authorities
• Reviewed and accepted by FDA and USDA
• Uses Ball Formula, Table, or Numerical method for Deviation Correction
• Temperature control to 1 degree, pressure control to 1 psi
• Multi-Level Security System

Process Safety with Optimized Cycle Times

The Allpax Monitor retort control system was developed internally by our computer scientists closely following the instruction of our Thermal Process Authorities. The result: a feature-rich, intuitive control system that meets or exceeds the requirements of 21 CFR Part 11. The system uses a host computer (a Dell PC) that stores product-configurable recipes. These recipes, entered by your process authority, define the process parameters to be followed, with parameter settings to automatically correct for process deviations. [The system also accommodates other process calculation methods, including Ball Formula method, numerical methods, and the table-lookup method.]

TOTAL AUTOMATIC CONTROL OF THE PROCESS

MONITOR controls all aspects of the process, including overriding pressure if required, during cook and during cooling. The system monitors and controls the temperature, pressure, water level and RPM (for rotational retorts), for all process types - including water spray, steam, steam-air, and water immersion. The system removes the human error factor of mistiming critical areas of the process, or dialing-in the incorrect set-point for processing.

RETORT OPERATOR LOGS-AND MORE!

MONITOR reads temperature signals and other important processing parameters hundreds of times every second. In addition, the system captures processing data from each retort, and records the data to the system hard disk drive for generating retort operator logs, trending analysis for each analog probe (temperature, pressure, level, RPM, flow, etc.) and alarm logs and management reports that keep your line operating at optimum efficiency.

Retort Controls Features & Benefits

A NOTE ON THE REVIEW

The ALLPAX Retort Control System was reviewed and accepted by FDA in 1992. This review encompassed numerous meetings in Washington, DC, at the Allpax offices, and an on-site installation.
The following 2/16/93 FDA letter, received from the Director of Office Programs, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, has been reproduced in part for use on the internet. Full text is available on request.

Based on observations and record review of your system by FDA investigative and technical personnel under actual operating conditions, as well as program modifications your firm incorporated as a result of FDA's visit to the operating site on September 22-23, 1992, FDA has concluded that the design of the ALLPAX retort control system meets the overall intent of the regulations at 21 CFR 113, and appears to provide safeguards which are sufficiently equivalent to the safeguards provided by the mandatory provisions of these regulations. Therefore, FDA has no objection to the generation of thermal processing records by the ALLPAX retort control computer system as a replacement for process records traditionally generated by the retort operator."

FDA's conclusion was reached after reviewing a detailed description of the computer control system, an outline of the step-by-step procedures the retort operator must follow, the steps the computer takes during processing (i.e., the computer logic in narrative) and safeguards built into the ALLPAX retort control computer system. As a result, FDA believes identical documentation should be provided to all firms using the ALLPAX retort control system. In addition, your firm and its customers should note that the computer system's capability of initiating corrective action (e.g., alternative schedules) does not relieve management of the responsibility for confirming that the appropriate corrective action was implemented."

  

For More Information on the Retort Controls