Dairy Chiller

Introduction to Dairy Chiller

The temperature of milk produced in dairy farms is usually around 37 degrees Celsius. This temperature can be brought close to ambient temperature, which is assumed to be around 25 degrees, using air and equipment such as cooling towers. However, this temperature is not suitable for storing milk and will cause it to spoil. In addition, many dairy farms operate 24/7 and there is practically no time to cool the milk.

Milk production is also very high in large dairy farms and must be managed quickly so that production can continue.

This is why special industrial chillers, known as dairy chillers, are used to cool milk to a temperature of around 4 degrees Celsius, which is the ideal temperature for storing milk.

Components of Dairy Chillers and Important Notes for Purchasing

Dairy chillers are a type of industrial compression chillers and consist of four main components: evaporator, condenser, pressure relief valve, and compressor.

Dairy chillers are used in the food industry and therefore all hygiene considerations must be observed. For this reason, the parts of the dairy chiller that come into contact with the milk must be completely clean and free of contamination.

The part that transfers the chilled liquid produced by the dairy chiller to the milk is the evaporator. There are different types of evaporators, but plate heat exchangers are used in dairy and dairy industries to meet the requirements of food regulatory agencies.

One of the points that must be observed in the design of dairy chillers used in dairy factories is the ability to bring the milk to the standard temperature of 4 degrees in a short time and with high reliability.

Any delay can disrupt the production line and start the spoilage process and activate the bacteria in the milk. For this reason, dairy chillers usually have a high cooling capacity and power.

The type of dairy chiller is determined by the existing conditions. If the chiller capacity is high and there is enough water available, it is recommended to use a water-cooled chiller.

However, if air-cooled condensers can meet the needs of the chiller, this type will be preferred, as air-cooled chillers require less maintenance and have fewer ancillary equipment. Other components of the chiller, such as the compressor, are also selected according to the user’s needs.

Factors Affecting the Price of Dairy Chillers

Numerous factors influence the final price of a dairy chiller. The most crucial factor is the chiller’s capacity. However, in addition to this factor, the type of chiller and the quality of its equipment and components are also factors that can affect the total cost of a dairy chiller.

In dairy chillers, special hygienic considerations are also taken into account for the evaporator and surfaces in contact with milk. This increases the cost of the heat exchanger and consequently the total cost.

When selecting a dairy chiller, in addition to price, the reliability of the chiller and the ability to meet cooling needs when necessary should also be considered.

Due to the limited time for milk cooling and the continuous process of fresh milk production, any malfunction or failure in the chiller will cause a large amount of milk to spoil quickly and cause significant losses to the producer. For this reason, the reliability of designed chillers must be higher than for normal applications.

Another important parameter is the running costs of a chiller. Running costs include energy costs, inspection costs, and maintenance and repair costs. If the wrong choice is made, these costs can gradually increase and impose a huge cost on the facility.

In all designs, an optimal point can be found between running costs and initial costs so that the total cost is minimized over a specified period.

Conclusion

Farasard, with its extensive experience in industrial chillers, is ready to manufacture special milk cooling machines for the dairy and livestock industries. To purchase a suitable dairy chiller for your application, please contact Farsard specialists.