Getting the Most out of Milk

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Getting the most out of milk

Alfa Laval Foodec decanter centrifuges for casein and lactose processing 245723_Casein 29/04/05 13:33 Side 1

Hygiene makes the difference

Casein and lactose are two important milk by-products with considerable market potential – if they can be processed under sufficiently hygienic conditions.

Alfa Laval Foodec decanter centrifuges provide you with an efficient, profitable way to do just that – processing casein and lactose into attractive, high-value products that are in demand by the food industry worldwide. 245723_Casein 29/04/05 13:29 Side 4

From excess to opportunity

The amount of cow’s milk currently The process produced on the world market greatly The raw cow’s milk that is the sole The Foodec benefits for casein and exceeds consumption. There is source of both casein and lactose is lactose processing include therefore considerable interest in first separated into cream and ● special sanitary design to meet high alternative uses for this milk. skimmed milk. The cream is used in hygiene standards, thus ensuring cheese production, whereas the better product quality Some of the most common cow’s milk skimmed milk is used in producing ● meticulous control, which means by-products – casein and lactose – are casein. Whey from both cheese and greater process efficiency and better distinctive for their high nutritional casein can then be used to produce quality value. This means that with the right lactose. ● up to 25% greater solids handling equipment and know-how, casein and capacity, at no extra cost lactose processing can open up To produce casein, the skimmed milk is ● greater separation efficiency, which significant new business opportunities. heated and acid is added to adjust the means faster processing. pH level so that the precipitation Casein process can begin. The solids are then Casein is a special form of protein that separated from the whey. This wet is precipitated from skimmed milk, casein is then dried and packaged or retaining as much as 80% of the sent for further processing. protein content of raw cow’s milk. To produce lactose, whey from a Lactose cheese or casein plant first undergoes Lactose is the sugar content of cow’s mechanical separation in order to milk, comprising glucose and remove all the solid fines in the whey. galactose. It is itself a by-product of The clarified whey is then defatted, casein production and cheese evaporated and crystallized. The manufacturing. lactose crystals are separated, and this lactose component is finally dried and packaged. 245723_Casein 29/04/05 13:31 Side 5

High-efficiency process flow chart – casein production

Pre-conditioning Skimmed milk

Fresh water

Batch mixer tank Foodec decanter Foodec decanter Foodec decanter Foodec decanter centrifuge centrifuge centrifuge centrifuge

Casein to further processing Mixer Mixer Mixer tank tank tank

Optional Whey to lactose plant Wastewater

High-efficiency process flow chart – lactose production

Whey from casein production Evaporation

Fresh water Crystallization

Cooling Foodec decanter Foodec decanter Foodec decanter Foodec decanter centrifuge centrifuge centrifuge centrifuge

Batch mixer tank

Lactose to further Pulp wash and processing rinse water

Whey to further processing

Alfa Laval in casein and lactose able to handle high solids content and Any mixing with air contributes to processing to provide a clear centrate. Purity and foaming that leads to yield problems. The production of both casein and yield are the most important Foodec decanter centrifuges are lactose involves high levels of hygiene. parameters, and Alfa Laval Foodec equipped with a special seal design The separation equipment used for decanter centrifuges are ideal for and liquid discharge system that hinder dewheying and dewatering must be meeting these requirements. any such foaming and thus alleviate any problems associated with this. 245723_Casein 29/04/05 13:50 Side 6

The centrate clarity and cake dryness are controlled by an advanced system that features the new Decanter Core Controller (DCC), specially developed for Foodec decanter centrifuges.

Benefit from Foodec decanter centrifuges in your casein and lactose processing operations The unique design of the Alfa Laval Dewheying Washing Foodec range enables you to virtually Foodec decanter centrifuges are ideal Washing is carried out in either one or eliminate problems with oxidation and for removing the whey from both two stages using two Alfa Laval foaming, as well as maintaining high casein and lactose. In this process, the Foodec decanter centrifuges and a levels of hygiene and drastically focus is on method called counter-current reducing processing time. ● high solids recovery rate washing. This involves re-using ● good clarification centrate from the discharge of each The built-in advantages and benefits of ● high levels of hygiene decanter centrifuge to wash and re-mix Foodec decanter centrifuges include ● easy cleaning. with the solids discharge. In general, ● special sanitary design that enables this method means that water you to match stringent FDA, 3A and The solids content for both casein and consumption can be reduced by up to USDA standards. The Foodec design lactose is normally no less than 15%. 70%, compared with a co-current also focuses on ease of cleaning However, the solids from casein and washing method. ● a new drive and control system that lactose have different characteristics gives you even better control over and the separation equipment used for Foodec decanter centrifuges are the separation process, to help you processing these two products equipped with special rinse and pulp boost the quality of the end product therefore has different features. wash features that make it possible to ● better solids transportation that undertake washing and re-mixing of enables you to boost solids handling Alfa Laval Foodec decanter centrifuges the solids within the decanter itself, capacity by up to 25% compared have the advantage of a complete thus providing notable reductions in with all other designs currently range of features – such as the new equipment costs. Along with the available – at no additional cost range of Foodec conveyors – that efficiency provided by the Decanter ● greater separation efficiency, which make them suitable for both Core Controller (DCC) control system, means faster processing. processes. Foodec decanter this enables the operator to regulate centrifuges are specially designed to the process with considerable handle high solids content, combined accuracy. with the ability to control cake dryness and the specified level of solids content Recovery in the centrate. The recovery process involves the final washing of the solids, in which clean water is used to boost the purity of the final product. 245723_Casein 29/04/05 13:53 Side 2

Alfa Laval in brief Alfa Laval is a leading global provider of specialized products and engineered solutions. Our equipment, systems and services are dedicated to helping customers to optimize the performance of their processes. Time and time again. We help our customers to heat, cool, separate and transport products such as oil, water, chemicals, beverages, foodstuffs, starch and pharmaceuticals. Our worldwide organization works closely with customers in almost 100 countries to help them stay ahead.

How to contact Alfa Laval Up-to-date Alfa Laval contact details for all countries are always available on our website at www.alfalaval.com