Process for reducing the amount of mixed phases during concentration of milk streams

Abstract

A method of reducing mixed phase production upon concentration of a dairy stream comprising the steps of: (i) providing at least one evaporation reactor; (ii) providing at least two stacking containers, wherein the evaporation reactors can be respectively controlled by one or more evaporation reactors; The method is carried out according to the following steps of: (a) continuously concentrating the dairy stream having a dry mass of from about 30 to about 40% by weight in the evaporation reactor R1 until the dry mass is from about 50% by weight, and providing the concentrate thus obtained to afirst stacking container V1 during an operating period of about 5 to about 15 hours, intermittently draining the container and further processing the contained concentrate; (b) increasing the power ofthe evaporation reactor R1 for at most 2 hours before a predetermined end of each operating period, such that the resulting concentrate has a dry mass increased by about 0.5 to 4% by weight, therebyincreasing the dry mass of the concentrate in the stacking container V1 to at least 51% by weight; (c) shutting down the evaporation reactor R1, washing with water and removing a product; wherein theconcentrate is continuously supplied to the first stacking container V1 during the process, and (d) feeding the concentrate, which has been diluted with flushing water, to another stacking vessel V3,where the resulting dry mass is from about 35 to 40% by weight of the mixed phase MP2, and further processing or cleaning the mixed phase MP2.

Description

technical field [0001] The invention belongs to the field of dairy industry and relates to a method for reducing the generation of mixed phases when concentrating milk streams, especially skim milk. Background technique [0002] One of the most important process steps in the emulsion industry is the concentration of milk streams, i.e. the separation of water. The aim is to produce a concentrate with a dry matter content of about 50% by weight, which can be stored and transported at reduced costs. Since the concentration process is carried out in the range of about 100°C, whereas the production of tower powder requires significantly higher temperatures, this concentrate can be dried using a significantly lower total energy input. [0003] A typical example of solving this problem - which is the subject of the present invention - is the production of skim milk concentrate. In a first step, solids are removed from raw milk followed by skimming, the skim milk thus obtained hav...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0006] Mixed phases are collected; however their use is problematic due to prolonged storage ("stacking") and physical and bacterial alterations that often occur in storage

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