Milk Permeate Powder Production via CO2 Injection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The presence of mineral salts, particularly calcium phosphate and magnesium salts, in milk permeate powders leads to mineral fouling during the manufacturing process, causing efficiency issues in reverse osmosis and thermal evaporation, and resulting in the formation of insoluble calcium phosphate particles upon reconstitution, which requires the use of chemicals to manage.
Innovation Solution
Injecting carbon dioxide into the permeate during the concentration process to solubilize calcium phosphate salts, thereby preventing precipitation on RO membranes and eliminating the need for citrate or phosphate-based chemicals, while heat treatment expels CO2 and forms stable small calcium phosphate particles that do not cause fouling during evaporation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional concentration methods (RO and evaporation) are used to manufacture milk permeate powder, then production efficiency is maintained, but mineral fouling occurs on heat transfer surfaces and RO membranes, reducing process efficiency and requiring chemical additives
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pH parameter of the permeate by injecting carbon dioxide, which lowers the pH and prevents calcium phosphate precipitation. This parameter change occurs in advance during the concentration process, allowing conventional RO and evaporation methods to proceed efficiently without mineral fouling, thus maintaining productivity while eliminating the harmful fouling effect
Solution Approach 2:
Carbon dioxide acts as an intermediary substance that mediates between the permeate and the mineral salts. By injecting CO2, the patent creates a temporary chemical environment that keeps calcium phosphate soluble during concentration. The CO2 reacts with water to form carbonic acid, which lowers pH and prevents precipitation, allowing the concentration process to proceed without fouling
2Reliability
If citric acid or phosphate-based chemicals are added to prevent mineral fouling, then RO and evaporation efficiency is improved, but chemical additives contaminate the final product and alter natural mineral balance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses carbon dioxide, which is naturally present in milk permeate, to prevent mineral fouling. By injecting additional CO2, the process utilizes a substance already inherent in the system rather than introducing external chemicals. This self-service approach maintains process reliability while preserving the natural mineral balance of the final product, as CO2 simply adjusts pH without leaving harmful residues
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the naturally occurring carbon dioxide in permeate, which would otherwise be wasted or require removal, into a beneficial agent for preventing mineral fouling. By injecting additional CO2, the process turns a naturally present gas into an effective pH control mechanism that prevents calcium phosphate precipitation without requiring external chemical additives
3Quantity of substance
If permeate is concentrated to higher solids content, then product concentration is improved, but mineral precipitation increases and fouling becomes more pronounced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by injecting carbon dioxide into the permeate before and during the concentration process. This pre-treatment lowers the pH in advance, creating a chemical environment that prevents calcium phosphate precipitation as concentration proceeds. By taking this preventive action beforehand, the patent enables concentration to higher solids content without the harmful effect of mineral precipitation increasing
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method enhances the efficiency of the RO process, reduces the need for chemical additives, and prevents the formation of large insoluble calcium phosphate particles, maintaining the natural mineral balance in milk permeate powders.
Implementation Method 1
Injecting carbon dioxide into the permeate during the concentration process to solubilize calcium phosphate salts, thereby preventing precipitation on RO membranes
Implementation Method 2
heat treatment expels CO2 and forms stable small calcium phosphate particles that do not cause fouling during evaporation
Implementation Method 3
heat treatment expels CO2 and forms stable small calcium phosphate particles
Implementation Method 4
concentrating said permeate from step (a) to a solids content from 10% to 18%
Data Source
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Figure 2A~2C
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AI summary
In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to milk permeate powders, methods of production thereof, and uses of the milk permeate powders. In another embodiment, the disclosure relates to the use of carbon dioxide for the production of milk permeate powders.