Petrie Ltd

Products / ARFA

ARFA –Radio Frequency and Hot Air combined for Flexible Production

Petrie’s patented ARFA (Air Radio Frequency Assisted) units combine the unique volumetric heating properties of RF with a patented airflow delivery system. Together these technologies give a perfect opportunity for new product development and production, along with increased production throughput.

The principle of the ARFA heating system is that nozzles used to deliver hot air also act as the electrodes of the RF system to achieve simultaneous surface and internal heating. The nozzles are situated above and below the oven’s belt with the option to have different heat and airflow settings on each side of the product. This gives ultimate control for processing and colour development.

RF energy targets water molecules among others in a product. Once dry, the product can become less receptive to RF meaning that uniform moisture profiling can be easily achieved.

Advantages of ARFA system:

‘Checking’ eliminated in biscuit production
Meringue baking possible in 15 minutes with no colour development
Quiche production revolutionised
Uniform moisture profiling even with uneven input
Uniform heating, even of large dense products
Continuous rapid cooking of meats eliminates long batch cook times
New product development not possible with other technologies
‘Growing’ of crumb material

The Petrie ARFA system can be designed and adapted to your exacting specifications fitting seamlessly into your production facility.

Petrie ARFA systems are CE marked and exceed worldwide standards for Microwave safety. The ARFA systems can be designed / modified for use with any power supply and in unusual conditions (high altitude etc).

A pilot system is available for use either at our facility or on your site giving you the opportunity to try the system and develop your own process before a production system is built.