Dairy products rarely enter the market in the state of primary food raw materials. Typically, products are recycled, which requires appropriate organization of technological processes. Butter factories, cheese factories and farms are equipping special lines for pumping liquid products from one site to another. The implementation of tasks of this kind requires the use of special equipment, but pumps for milk and dairy products in appropriate modifications are used as the main activators of the process. There are many varieties of such units, each of which is suitable for use at a particular technological stage. An overview of milk pumps and user reviews of manufacturers will help you choose the right equipment.
Centrifugal milk pump
This is the most popular type of milk pumps, which forms the basis of pumping communications in modern industries. With the help of a centrifugal unit in the standard version, it is possible to serve milk and products similar to it in terms of viscosity. When choosing, consider the temperature regime– in most cases, it should not exceed 90 °C. The actuator may have different configurations. As a rule, a milk pump of this type is represented by a single-stage design, but there are console-monoblock versions and versions with closed blades. Depending on the operating conditions, a choice should be made in favor of one or another mechanism. If the rules for maintaining technical devices are observed in the working room, then an open design in the simplest modification can be preferred, but from the point of view of reliability, it is still more profitable to purchase monoblock devices.
Self-priming or non-self-priming pump?
Previously, non-self-priming was considered the main principle of operation, but in recent years, both customers and manufacturers are focusing on more technologically advanced self-priming units. Such models can be safely purchased to work with milk coming from milk trucks. Self-priming milk pumps are also used for other products with a similar viscosity. The ability to independently carry out the capture of liquid is ensured by the air separator, special vanes of the functional wheel and nozzle.
The unit, connected to the discharge pipes, fills the fitting to the required level during operation. It is important to take into account one drawback of self-priming models. Compared to outdated counterparts, they are not allowed to work with liquids whose temperature exceeds 50°C. In comparison, a non-self-priming milk pump is capable of serving products withtemperature around 90°C.
Three lobe pumps for viscous applications
Specially for working with fermented baked milk, sour cream, processed cheese and other viscous products, it is recommended to use rotary three-jaw units. Although in this case it is necessary to take into account some restrictions on concentration. Standard modifications are usually not allowed to pump liquids whose temperature exceeds 90°C. The advantages that a three-cam pump for pumping milk has include versatility. By making appropriate changes to the design and operating parameters, you can get a unit that can handle a wide range of dairy products, regardless of the degree of viscosity.
CIP models
A feature of such models is the ability to clean the internal elements without disassembling the structure. Typically, such models are developed on the basis of self-priming single-stage units. For example, open-vortex models are quite popular, which provide for the vertical position of the nozzles. This design prevents liquid spills during downtime. Such a pump for pumping milk is beneficial not only for simplified maintenance, but also for the possibility of stable operation in the most difficult conditions. Units of this type can work with dairy products, the structure of which contains air. The technology of recirculation washing, in turn, eliminates the need for regular sanitary and hygienic operations inmaintenance process.
Vacuum milk pump
The workflow of such models involves the formation of an air vacuum in the line where suction takes place. This principle of operation makes the units universal in terms of servicing various liquids. By the way, communications with such technical support are also used to work with detergents, as well as disinfectant solutions. Of course, the milk pump must be used separately from such tasks, but as an example of the chemical resistance of the units, such applications can also be noted. Vacuum models are developed from food stainless metal, and can also be supplemented with modern control systems. It remains only to choose performance indicators and design.
Manufacturer Reviews
In the industrial equipment market, you can find both domestic products for dairy production and European pumps. As for Russian manufacturers, the operating companies speak positively about the products of the Tekhnokom and Kurganselmash enterprises, which represent the basic modifications of the most popular pumps. The Sieva brand is also quite in demand, under which, in particular, a milk pump is produced, designed for installation in vacuum-steam complexes. Among foreign manufacturers, brands such as Prolac, Grundfos and TLS are noteworthy. According to users,the developers of these firms not only implement standard models with high quality, but also improve pumps in various technological directions.
Conclusion
When selecting any pumping unit, it is important to consider secondary aspects of operation. For example, for small and start-up enterprises, energy supply indicators are important. The most gentle in this regard is a centrifugal milk pump with a single-stage design, although it may also have different consumption rates. It is worth considering the characteristics of sound insulation, the quality of sealing joints, the presence of protective surface treatment and other properties of the unit. In the course of long-term use, these factors will be of great importance in terms of both maintenance and durability.
