Working Principle and Application

A fish meat bone separator, also known as a fish deboner or fish meat refiner, is a specialized piece of food processing equipment designed to efficiently separate fish flesh from bones, skin, and fins. Its primary function is to extract pure fish meat for further processing into various food products.

Operating Mechanism

The core operating principle of most fish meat bone separators relies on mechanical pressure and extrusion. Key steps typically include:

• Feeding: Whole or pre-cut fish (often headed and gutted) are fed into the machine’s hopper.
• Crushing/Squeezing: The fish is conveyed towards a perforated drum or cylinder. A robust belt, often made of food-grade rubber or synthetic material, presses the fish against the outer surface of this rotating drum.
• Separation: The soft fish meat is forced through the small perforations (typically 3-5mm in diameter) of the drum and is collected from the inside. The harder components such as bones, skin, and fins are unable to pass through these perforations and are scraped off the exterior of the drum, then discharged separately.
• Collection: The separated fish meat (mince) is collected from one outlet, and the waste (bones and skin mixture) from another.

Key Components

While designs can vary slightly, common components include:

• Infeed Hopper: For loading the raw fish material.
• Perforated Drum: A cylindrical drum made of food-grade stainless steel with precisely sized holes. The hole size directly influences the texture and purity of the separated meat.
• Pressing Belt: A durable, tensioned belt that squeezes the fish against the perforated drum. Belt tension is often adjustable.
• Motor and Drive System: Powers the rotation of the drum and the movement of the belt.
• Scraper Blade: Removes the bone and skin residue from the outer surface of the drum.
• Outlets/Chutes: Separate discharge points for the collected fish meat and the waste byproducts.
• Frame and Housing: Constructed from stainless steel (e.g., SUS304) for hygiene, corrosion resistance, and structural integrity.

Advantages and Applications

Advantages:

• High Meat Yield: Maximizes the recovery of edible fish flesh, significantly reducing waste compared to manual deboning. Yields can often range from 60% to 90% depending on fish species and pre-processing.
• Labor Saving: Automates the deboning process, drastically reducing the need for manual labor and associated costs.
• Increased Efficiency: Capable of processing large quantities of fish in a relatively short period.
• Consistent Product Quality: Produces a uniform fish mince suitable for a wide range of further processing applications.
• Versatility: Can process various types of fish, including marine and freshwater species, both large and small, after initial preparation like heading and gutting.

Applications:

Fish meat bone separators are extensively utilized in the seafood processing industry for producing raw material for:

• Surimi and surimi-based products (e.g., imitation crab, fish sausage).
• Fish balls, fish cakes, fish burgers, and fish fingers.
• Fish dumplings and other comminuted fish products.
• Fillings for various food items.
• Pet food ingredients.
• Fish protein concentrates and hydrolysates.

Operational Considerations

For optimal performance and longevity, certain factors are crucial:

• Raw Material Preparation: Fish should typically be headed, gutted, and thoroughly washed. For larger fish, pre-cutting into smaller pieces might be necessary.
• Belt Tension Adjustment: Proper tension ensures efficient separation without damaging the drum or belt.
• Drum Hole Size: Selection depends on the desired texture of the mince and the fish species.
• Cleaning and Sanitization: Regular and thorough cleaning is paramount to prevent bacterial growth and ensure food safety. Machines are usually designed for easy disassembly for cleaning.
• Maintenance: Routine checks on belts, bearings, motors, and scraper blades.

Using a fish meat bone separator effectively contributes to value addition in fish processing, resource optimization, and the production of safe, high-quality fish products.