Standardisation of milk involves the adjustment of the fat content of milk, or a milk product, by addition of cream or skim milk, as appropriate, to obtain a given fat content.
The process is required because fat and protein levels in milk vary with season, along with other factors. It is also possible to standardise cream to a required fat content.
Carlisle Process Systems (CPS) and Reda of Italy joined together to redesign their RTM Automatic Standardiser.The system can re-calibrate the complete system by comparing the cream fat content set on the control panel to a laboratory test,the companies claim in a press release.
Inputting the two values into the control system will allow the RTM to make the calibration. This option eliminates the need for skilled technical support,the companies claim.
Reda designed the RTM flow control unit, which is fitted between the density meters and flow meters on milk and cream outlets of the separator. It constantly monitors the fat content in the raw milk and the information gathered is used to calculate the flows required from the separator, to achieve the desired standardisation of the milk and cream.
Modulating valves regulate the cream flow into the skim phase as required. The unit continues to control and regulate flows that change immediately following modulating valve variations.
On start-up or sterilise, the modulating valves are set to pre-determined theoretical setpoints, which are close to the process setpoints. This enables the unit to be ready to perform fine regulation when the milk arrives and, as it operates on flow, it makes the system react faster reducing answer delays, the company claims.
The RTM calibration equation can be modified to suit external influences such as product type, fat globule distribution, cattle feed and time ofyear, the companies said.
The RTM system is supplied fully skid-mounted, which allows operators to connect the system to existing separators. Units can be supplied with new machines or retrofitted to existing centrifuges including other manufacturers units.
CPS and Reda have worked in partnership for 22 years, supplying over 3,000 units to the global food and dairy companies, such as Nestle and Coca Cola.
Last year Reda installed its largest RTM standardiser to date at Williner, Argentina, which processes milk at 100,000 l/ph.