FRUIT PULP SEPARATION IN JUICE PRODUCTION

After pressing, fruit juice typically contains a significant amount of pulp, skins and fibrous particles that must be partially removed or controlled before clarification and finishing. If this separation is not handled correctly, excessive solids can overload decanters and centrifuges, increase wear on equipment and make it harder to achieve the desired clarity or mouthfeel. Vibrating sieves dedicated to fluid liquids filtration provide an effective intermediate step, extracting coarse pulp and fibrous material while allowing the juice phase to pass through the mesh.

In this segment, MLT Cuccolini applies its fluid liquids filtration vibrating sieves, configured specifically for juice streams. The sieve is positioned directly downstream of the press and upstream of the centrifuge, where it can stabilise the solid load entering the centrifuge and reduce the risk of unplanned stoppages due to plugging or imbalance. Mesh sizes and deck configurations are chosen according to the required pulp level in the intermediate juice and the type of fruit processed, from citrus and apples to berries, tropical fruits and mixed blends.

Because fruit juices contain fibres and stringy particles, the sieving system is complemented by dedicated mesh cleaning systems designed for fibrous products. These accessories keep the screening surface active, prevent the formation of mats of pulp on the mesh and help maintain a constant throughput throughout the production run. As a result, the sieve can operate continuously without frequent manual cleaning, even when handling juices with high fibre content.

The vibrating motion is calibrated to handle the juice gently, limiting foam formation and avoiding excessive shear on the pulp while still providing sufficient energy to move retained solids towards the oversize outlet. Stainless steel construction with food‑grade finishes supports hygienic operation, easy washing and compatibility with standard cleaning‑in‑place or manual cleaning procedures used in beverage facilities. This configuration makes the solution suitable for practically any fruit juice application where pulp and juice must be separated in a controlled way.

Choosing MLT Cuccolini vibrating sieves for fruit pulp separation allows juice producers to manage the solid load entering their centrifuges more effectively, improving equipment protection and process stability. At the same time, they gain better control over juice texture and clarity, with flexible options to adapt mesh sizes and cleaning systems to different fruits and recipes.

By integrating a compact, easy‑to‑clean filtration step between the press and the centrifuge, producers can reduce downtime, simplify maintenance and operate with greater confidence across campaign‑based production schedules and multi‑product juice lines.

Are you looking to optimise pulp separation between the press and centrifuge in your fruit juice line? Contact our team to review your current layout and fruit portfolio and define the MLT Cuccolini vibrating sieve configuration best suited to your throughput, fibre content and product quality targets.