GENTLENESS and a pump’s ability to avoid shearing in fluids are important when choosing a dairy pump. Dairy producers take these elements seriously when selecting the right pump, according to AxFlow AQS Liquid Transfer. Gentleness plays an important role, as it avoids fluid emulsification and shearing.
To mitigate shear-related issues, pump manufacturers pay careful attention to fluid flow dynamics. To minimise shear effects dairy producers pay careful attention when selecting the right pumps and correct pump type. When selecting a dairy pump, maintaining product quality is always key.
Cheesemakers need pumps that provide low flow and are gentle enough to avoid fines produced during curd transference. When making some soft cheeses, the leftover bits in the whey are called “fines”. These fines still have valuable elements and producers can collect and use them in other dairy products or processes.
Avoiding shear in a pump is important because it changes the properties of fluids. Shear could reduce the size of products and certain products like cheese and yoghurt with high viscosity are shear sensitive.
Shear in a dairy pump refers to the mechanical force that moves the fluid at different speeds. Opposing forces and velocities cause this effect in fluids.
Dairy producers mainly use positive displacement pumps in this sector. A positive displacement pump may be ideal for pumping fluids like milk or for cleaning processes. A positive displacement pump works even better for processing viscous products like cheese curds, yoghurt, or cottage cheese in a dairy.
Positive displacement pumps are efficient, reliable, and easy to maintain.
Progressive cavity displacement pumps are the most common type of positive displacement pump used in the dairy industry. These pumps incorporate a helical rotor that turns within a resilient stator, producing a gentle displacement (pumping) along the axis.
The speed of the rotating helical rotor is kept low in general to prevent agitation and also helps with longevity of the pump.
Applications of positive displacement in the dairy industry:
- The dairy industry uses progressive cavity pumps to transfer raw milk to storage tanks and from farms to processing plants.
- They use progressive cavity pumps for effective cleaning in CIP (Clean-In-Place) systems. It is vital to keep dairy equipment and processing lines pristinely clean to maintain high standards of hygiene.
- Progressive cavity pumps assist with the heating and circulation of the milk during the pasteurisation process.
- Pumps used in the dairy industry should be easy to clean, have compatible materials, and be hygienic.
- Regular maintenance and cleaning of the pumps are essential to prevent bacterial contamination. Dairy production demands strict hygiene and safety standards.
Positive displacement pumps play a valuable role in the dairy industry. They help maintain the efficacy, integrity and quality of dairy processing from raw materials to the final product. - Due to their unique capabilities and design, they are especially suitable for tackling sensitive products without compromising quality.
