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Brewing, Drink and Dairy Processing News
News Release from: Hydramotion | Subject: On-line milk viscometer
Edited by the Processingtalk Editorial
Team on 15 October 2007
On-line viscometer improves quality in
milk powder
The Dairy Products Research Centre in Co Cork, Ireland, has given a four-star rating to an on-line viscometer from Hydramotion for its contribution to quality control in the production of milk powder
The Hydramotion viscometer was the only one in its class to achieve such a high rating Advantages highlighted by the researchers included "high immunity to plant vibration, ease of cleaning and low maintenance requirement, having no moving parts"
This article was originally published on Processingtalk on 12 Feb 2003 at 8.00am (UK)
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Fluid viscosity measurement comes online
Once a mainstay of laboratory analysis, fluid viscosity measurement has now been brought on-line in the shape of XL Series Process Viscometers from Hydramotion
Portable viscosity measurement on the spot
The Viscolite 700 from Hydramotion gives instant spot measurement of viscosity in the field, factory or lab without requiring any on-site set-up or calibration
Milk powder is produced by "spray-drying", in which concentrated milk is forced at high pressure through very fine nozzles into a chamber of warm air.
The efficiency of drying is largely determined by the degree of atomisation, which is directly proportional to the viscosity of the feed solution.
The viscosity of the milk at the atomisation step therefore has a crucial effect on the characteristics of the resulting milk powder.
The Hydramotion viscometer is ideal for this process, as it combines a hygienic clean-in-place design with high sensitivity and excellent repeatability.
Viscosity is measured continuously in real time, ensuring that any changes are immediately detected.
Importantly, measurements are unaffected by changes in flow rate or the presence of suspended solids or gases, which often cause problems for other viscosity measurement techniques.
The single solid-rod sensor eliminates "dead" spaces where micro organisms could propagate and presents minimal possibilities of fouling.
As the sensor is a robust all-welded 316 stainless steel construction it is capable of coping with hostile process conditions such as cleaning agents, while the measurement technology naturally rejects plant vibration and noise.
Installed at the pre-atomiser point, the Hydramotion viscometer offers significantly better control of the atomisation process, leading to reductions in wastage, lower energy consumption and better control of product texture, bulk density and moisture content.
Reference report is: O'Callaghan, Schulz, O'Donnell et al, Improved Control in Dairy Processing (On-line Sensor Control for Milk Powder and Cheese Manufacture), DPRC No 42, 2001. Request a free brochure from Hydramotion ...
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