Alfa Laval Foodec decanter centrifuges for casein and lactose processing

Getting the most out of milk

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Hygiene makes the difference

Casein and lactose are two important milk by-products withconsiderable market potential if they can be processed undersufficiently hygienic conditions.

Alfa Laval Foodec decanter centrifuges provide you with anefficient, profitable way to do just that processing casein andlactose into attractive, high-value products that are in demand bythe food industry worldwide.

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From excess to opportunity

The Foodec benefits for casein andlactose processing include special sanitary design to meet high

hygiene standards, thus ensuring better product quality

meticulous control, which means greater process efficiency and betterquality

up to 25% greater solids handling capacity, at no extra cost

greater separation efficiency, which means faster processing.

The amount of cows milk currentlyproduced on the world market greatlyexceeds consumption. There istherefore considerable interest inalternative uses for this milk.

Some of the most common cows milkby-products casein and lactose aredistinctive for their high nutritionalvalue. This means that with the rightequipment and know-how, casein andlactose processing can open upsignificant new business opportunities.

CaseinCasein is a special form of protein thatis precipitated from skimmed milk,retaining as much as 80% of theprotein content of raw cows milk.

LactoseLactose is the sugar content of cowsmilk, comprising glucose andgalactose. It is itself a by-product ofcasein production and cheesemanufacturing.

The processThe raw cows milk that is the solesource of both casein and lactose isfirst separated into cream andskimmed milk. The cream is used incheese production, whereas theskimmed milk is used in producingcasein. Whey from both cheese andcasein can then be used to producelactose.

To produce casein, the skimmed milk isheated and acid is added to adjust thepH level so that the precipitationprocess can begin. The solids are thenseparated from the whey. This wetcasein is then dried and packaged orsent for further processing.

To produce lactose, whey from acheese or casein plant first undergoesmechanical separation in order toremove all the solid fines in the whey.The clarified whey is then defatted,evaporated and crystallized. Thelactose crystals are separated, and thislactose component is finally dried andpackaged.

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Foodec decantercentrifuge

Pre-conditioning

Batch mixer tank

Mixertank

Mixertank

Mixertank

Skimmed milk

Fresh water

WastewaterOptional

Whey to lactose plant

Caseinto further

processing

Foodec decantercentrifuge

Foodec decantercentrifuge

Foodec decantercentrifuge

High-efficiency process flow chart casein production

High-efficiency process flow chart lactose production

Alfa Laval in casein and lactoseprocessingThe production of both casein andlactose involves high levels of hygiene.The separation equipment used fordewheying and dewatering must be

able to handle high solids content andto provide a clear centrate. Purity andyield are the most importantparameters, and Alfa Laval Foodecdecanter centrifuges are ideal formeeting these requirements.

Any mixing with air contributes tofoaming that leads to yield problems.Foodec decanter centrifuges areequipped with a special seal designand liquid discharge system that hinderany such foaming and thus alleviateany problems associated with this.

Batch mixer tank

Fresh water

Lactoseto further

processing

Foodec decantercentrifuge

Cooling

Pulp wash andrinse water

Whey to furtherprocessing

Crystallization

Evaporation

Foodec decantercentrifuge

Foodec decantercentrifuge

Foodec decantercentrifuge

Whey from caseinproduction

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DewheyingFoodec decanter centrifuges are idealfor removing the whey from bothcasein and lactose. In this process, thefocus is on high solids recovery rate good clarification high levels of hygiene easy cleaning.

The solids content for both casein andlactose is normally no less than 15%.However, the solids from casein andlactose have different characteristicsand the separation equipment used forprocessing these two productstherefore has different features.

Alfa Laval Foodec decanter centrifugeshave the advantage of a completerange of features such as the newrange of Foodec conveyors thatmake them suitable for bothprocesses. Foodec decantercentrifuges are specially designed tohandle high solids content, combinedwith the ability to control cake drynessand the specified level of solids contentin the centrate.

WashingWashing is carried out in either one ortwo stages using two Alfa LavalFoodec decanter centrifuges and amethod called counter-currentwashing. This involves re-usingcentrate from the discharge of eachdecanter centrifuge to wash and re-mixwith the solids discharge. In general,this method means that waterconsumption can be reduced by up to70%, compared with a co-currentwashing method.

Foodec decanter centrifuges areequipped with special rinse and pulpwash features that make it possible toundertake washing and re-mixing ofthe solids within the decanter itself,thus providing notable reductions inequipment costs. Along with theefficiency provided by the DecanterCore Controller (DCC) control system,this enables the operator to regulatethe process with considerableaccuracy.

RecoveryThe recovery process involves the finalwashing of the solids, in which cleanwater is used to boost the purity of thefinal product.

The centrate clarity and cake drynessare controlled by an advanced systemthat features the new Decanter CoreController (DCC), specially developedfor Foodec decanter centrifuges.

Benefit from Foodec decantercentrifuges in your casein andlactose processing operationsThe unique design of the Alfa LavalFoodec range enables you to virtuallyeliminate problems with oxidation andfoaming, as well as maintaining highlevels of hygiene and drasticallyreducing processing time.

The built-in advantages and benefits ofFoodec decanter centrifuges include special sanitary design that enables

you to match stringent FDA, 3A and USDA standards. The Foodec designalso focuses on ease of cleaning

a new drive and control system that gives you even better control over the separation process, to help you boost the quality of the end product

better solids transportation that enables you to boost solids handling capacity by up to 25% compared with all other designs currently available at no additional cost

greater separation efficiency, which means faster processing.

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Alfa Laval in briefAlfa Laval is a leading global provider ofspecialized products and engineeredsolutions. Our equipment, systems andservices are dedicated to helpingcustomers to optimize the performanceof their processes. Time and time again.

We help our customers to heat,cool, separate and transport productssuch as oil, water, chemicals,beverages, foodstuffs, starch andpharmaceuticals.

Our worldwide organization worksclosely with customers in almost 100countries to help them stay ahead.

How to contact Alfa LavalUp-to-date Alfa Laval contact details forall countries are always available on ourwebsite at www.alfalaval.com

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