The Malaxer is an assembly of units where the olive paste becomes a mixture of free oil, vegetation water and
solids, ready for oil extraction. Each malaxer contains a helical screw, moved by a fixed speed gear motor,
and specially shaped to gently move and mix the paste: the aim is to obtain a constant temperature
distribution, efficient oil releasing and surfacing, while avoiding the paste oxidation. Each malaxer unit
has a water jacket connected with a closed loop heating system, to maintain the olive paste at the desired
temperature level. The hot water is circulated by a circulation pump to keep the temperature level set by
the operator, according to the reading of temperature sensor. A window with anti-condensation glass allow
the visual control of the condition of the paste inside each malaxer unit. Each part of the malaxer is made
of stainless steel and food grade material. The Malaxer is connected to the general control panel, which may
have a peripheral touch-panel and/or display mounted on the malaxer, to display and control all the process
parameters.
WORKING PRINCIPLE
After Crusher, crushed olives can be transferred to the Malaxer in both manual and automatic ways. In manual
models, the Olive Crusher is located onto the malaxor and the crushed olives are dispensed to fill the
malaxer units with a horizontal screw conveyor mounted on the malaxer. In automatic models, the Crusher is
outside and on the ground, crushed olives are transferred to the malaxer units by the control of pneumatic
valves. The olive paste filled into the malaxer is expected to be kneaded gently by means of internal screw
to release oil for a certain period of time. Matured olive paste is delivered to the decanter under operator
control, this is achieved by opening the valve located at the bottom of the malaxer. Horizontal conveyor,
mounted below the malaxer, empties each malaxer unit by driving the paste to the paste pump that feed the
decanter. Feeding and discharge timing, sequence and kneading time is determined by the operator. A sensor
system prevents any losses, stopping the conveyor and crusher in case of malaxer overload, while signaling
when a malaxer has been fully emptied. Each malaxer has a system to wash the internal surfaces of the
malaxer, made by water spray pipes, which is controlled manually.The water temperature in the water jackets
of each malaxer unit is controlled by separate pumps and is suitable for adjusting olive temperature
according to customer demands, this condition is optional.
