Removal of insolubles from aqueous streams used in food processing

A food processing system for removal of insoluble materials from aqueous streams, comprising:

• first and second scalder tanks, each scalder tank containing an aqueous composition comprising water, insoluble solids and insoluble liquids, wherein the composition is at a temperature of 100 to 150° F.;
• first and second centripetal force-based solid/liquid separators, each separator comprising an inlet, a solids outlet, and a liquid outlet;
• first and second centrifugal pumps for directing the composition from the first and second scalder tanks to the inlet of the first and second separators, respectively, at a sufficient pressure to induce centrifugal separation of heavier-than-water insoluble solids from liquids in the first and second separators;
• and
• first and second liquid/liquid decanters coupled to the liquid outlet of the first and second separators, respectively;
• wherein the first and second separators separate the composition into a solids stream comprising the heavier-than-water insoluble solids and a liquid stream and direct the solids stream through the respective solids outlets and direct the liquid stream through the respective liquid outlets to the respective decanter;
• wherein the first and second decanters are in fluid communication with the first and second scalder tanks, respectively, and separate the respective liquid streams into (i) a water stream and (ii) a lighter-than-water insoluble liquid and solid stream;
• and
• wherein the first and second decanters direct the water stream to the first and second scalder tanks, respectively.