Prihoda Journal

Karamolegos Bakery, Koropi, Greece

Karamolegos is the largest producer of toast bread and other bread products in Greece, with an annual turnover that exceeds 100 M euros. We supplied diffusers for the Karamolegos production facility in Koropi. Our fabric ducting and diffusers distributing  air through perforations were installed in the bakery production line or packing area.  But the most critical process is the bread loafs cooling after baking in order to proceed to cutting and packaging. This process is performed in a Bread Cooling Tunnel. The scope of the system was to cool 3500 kg of bread loafs (500 g/piece) from 900°C to 300°C in 80 minutes. Cooling shall be achieved in a homogeneous manner without exposing loafs to excessive drafts which may harm loafs’ crust quality. In order to meet process requirements the HVAC system was designed to provide large air volumes in a flow that moves from the colder zone of the cooling chamber to the warmer zone. Vertical textile ducts were selected as the most effective solution, comprising of 4 rows of small 30mm dia nozzles for proper air diffusion towards the load crust. The project was accomplished with total success achieving equal temperature in crust and heart of the bread loafs. The whole system was designed by V. Bougatsos SA/Prihoda Hellas with the value assistance of Prihoda s.r.o. for the air distribution pattern.