The Importance of a Whey Separator

A whey separator is at the heart of any dairy process and, as such, it’s one of the biggest investments a plant can make. Depending on the size and type of model, a separator can cost a dairy between $300,000 and $400,000. Nevertheless, the equipment is essential for dairy manufacturers producing milk, cheese, ice cream and powders.그릭요거트유청분리기

Separators are centrifugal devices that separate the solid components of liquid-solid mixtures. They are typically designed for separating and standardizing milk or other dairy products, but can also be used for other applications such as removing bacteria and spores, or to clarify liquid-liquid and liquid-solid separations.

There are many types of separators, and each one is designed for a particular function. For example, some are able to remove heat-resistant bacteria and spores from milk, which is called “bactofugation.” These types of separators are typically industrial-scale centrifuges and are available as hermetic decanter or disc stack models. Other separators are smaller, meant for use in a dairy’s milk receiving and milk evaporation systems. These separators can be hermetic, non-hermetic or semi-hermetic and come in a variety of sizes to meet the needs of different dairies and production levels.

Another type of separator is designed to skim the cream from the milk and return it to the whey. This type of separation is usually done warm and is based on the difference in density between cream and skim milk. Skim milk is often used to produce butter, and the cream is separated from it for sale. The resulting whey is used to manufacture other dairy products. This type of separator is typically a self-ejecting centrifuge bowl and can discharge the cream sludge on its own, or at least when it is sensed that buildup has occurred.

Lastly, there are separators that combine the functions of skimming and clarification into one device. These are typically called WD or W-series separators, and they allow the dairy producer to take advantage of the high value fat in whey while making sure that skim milk is as free of fat as possible, which is important for downstream processing and reducing costs. These types of separators typically have a clarification section inside the bowl and combine both skimming and whey clarification in one machine, saving space and investment costs.

The latest technology in separators continues to focus on efficiency, durability and capacity. Newer models offer shorter and fewer ejection cycles, which reduces energy consumption. Additionally, some models include a special system that helps to improve the protein yield in the resulting whey by enhancing the milk’s structure.

Regardless of the model, it’s important to consider the amount of milk a separator will process in a 20 hour run and how this affects its energy usage and operating costs. Generally, larger separators are more energy-efficient than smaller ones. The size of the separator also impacts its installation footprint. Some modern designs have a frame that allows for a foundation-free installation, which saves both installation time and cost.베어그릭스