Potato Processing Equipment

Designing and manufacturing a potato processing line is something that requires a lot of attention. The potato is, of course, a well-known product that is eaten all over the world and in all variation. The quantities in modern agriculture surpass all capacities which manual labor could supply. The industrial potato processing equipment thus requires the capacity to handle large volumes and continuous operation within the season. The physical characteristics of potatoes requires a special focus in the processing steps since the quality of the product deteriorates if the production process is not handled properly. The potato processing system is thus a tailor-made solution design to accommodate our partner location, specific potato and process expectations. Co-engineering is therefore a concept that is very important to us so that our clients incorporate their processing expectations into the system.

CAD rendering of example potato production line from Marcelissen — Figure 1: Example production line from Marcelissen

A potato production line is a interacting system consists of several specific machine components to achieve a functioning operation as a whole. The production line is made up from our wide range of potato processing machines. For more information about the complete portfolio of machines please view the individual machine specification.

Individual Potato Machines Within a Production Line

The number of components within the potato processing line depends on the potato characteristics and the final product. As an example, we can name 3 individual components as sections of the overall production line.

U-bed Roller Peeler – SKRT

CAD rendering of Marcelissen U-Bed Roller Peeler — Figure 2: U-bed Roller Peeler – SKRT

After washing and potentially sorting the specific potato, one of the first links in the potato line is the U-bed Roller Peeler – SKRT. The potato skins are peeled off in this stage. The potato processing step of peeling is done by using rollers which are covered in a desired size of carborundum. This results in the fact that the skin is slightly scraped off from the potato, ensuring a nice, peeled product. The rough surface is undesirable for some final potato products and a hand-cut appearance is required. To achieve this, a Knife Peeler can be used after the Roller Peeler for the ‘finishing touch’. The appealing whole potato of the knife cutter also reduces the potato surface prone to deterioration and coloration.

The Marcellissen Potato Roller Peeler has carborundum rollers which together form a trough. Half of the peeling rollers rotate anti-clockwise, while the other half rotates clockwise. Internally an potato auger mounted inside the trough determines the transport time of the potatoes through the machine. By means of a frequency converter, the speed of both the rollers and the screw can be determined. The automatic control and constant supply of products to the potato peeler ensures a high peeling quality. The automatic control parameters combined with the mechanical adaptation allow the process to function with little or no water.

Drum Knife Peeler – SMT

CAD rendering of Marcelissen Drum Knife Peeler — Figure 3: Drum Knife Peeler – SMT

The Drum Knife Peeler is used for peeling root crops such as potatoes, carrots or beet. The potato knife peeler ensures a higher quality potato with a clean surface cut.

The Drum Knife Peeler consists of a frame with a very stable AISI 304 drum and auger. The product is peeled during the movement through the drum. The very maintenance friendly potato machine allows a fast and uncomplicated removal of the cutters. Additionally, the drum can be cleaned without reducing the peeling capacity.

An important advantage of the peeler, is the fact that the special construction ensures an optimal rotation of the product where 100% peeling is guaranteed. This machine is also perfectly suitable for steam peeled potatoes and can be supplied with touch panel or control panel.

Continuous Halving Machine – DC

CAD rendering of Marcelissen continuous halving machine — Figure 4: Continuous Halving Machine – DC

A machine that often follows the potato peeling stage in a process is the potato halving/quartering machine. The potato is re-sized to expectations by cutting the individual potatoes into halves or quarters.

The infeed conveyor ensures that the product is placed single and in lanes on the roller bed. This roller bed consists of diabolo rollers so that a perfectly centred position of the potato can be ensured before the potato enters the cutting section. The cutting system is mechanical and able to perform a continuous cutting movement. Due to this unique construction, a high degree of capacity and efficiency is achievable.

Finally, there is a conveyor belt underneath the machine, on which the product is collected and can be inspected a second time if necessary. The capacity is 55,000 potatoes per hour.

The Process

The final use of the potato finally determines the individual components in the potato process line. The clients expectations in view of the technical specification is a determining factor for the design and materials selected. Each potato type and sizing will require a specific production process, which means that certain machines are or are not required for your situation. At Equa we can fall back on the experience of our partners and supply the best solution for the clients potato process. By doing so, the optimal potato line is set up specifically for your situation.