Dairy Processing - January/February 2022 - 52

EQUIPMENT
Adaptable design
Efficient technology for pumps is at the heart of dairy production.
by Kristen Putch | kputch@sosland.com
W
ith evolving consumer tastes, innovation is a
necessity for dairy processors. This requires
pump makers to work closely with customers to
meet those changing demands. It also requires that the pumps
themselves be more flexible to produce multiple products on a
single process line.
Makers of pumps often tout their equipment as 'gentle on
products', which refers to the amount of shear a pump inputs
into a product, which is important because shear has the
potential to change viscosity or other fluid properties. If there
are particulates in the product, shear might reduce their size.
Higher-viscosity dairy products, such as cheese and yogurt,
are sensitive to shear. Cheesemakers want a pump that can
provide high flow rates yet also be gentle on the product in
order to limit the fines produced when transferring the curd.
CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS
Typical dairy pumps are the centrifugal, liquid-ring and
positive displacement (PD) pumps. The three types have
different applications. The centrifugal pump is the type most
widely used in dairy processing.
Centrifugal pumps are mainly used for low-viscosity
products and cannot typically handle heavily-aerated liquids.
These pumps have relatively high shear effect. They use a
rotating impeller that accelerates the fluid as it enters the
pump inlet and is forced to the outer impeller diameter
before exiting through the discharge port or volute. These
pumps are cost-effective and easily maintained, but their
effectiveness is limited to lower viscosity fluids.
As the viscosity of the fluid increases, the efficiency
of a centrifugal pump decreases significantly.
Centrifugal pumps are used throughout the process
to transfer low viscous fluid, typically milk, from one
destination to another. In fluid milk plants, a low-speed
(1,750 rpm) centrifugal pump is typically used due to high
flow rates. This dramatically decreases the amount of shear
exhibited on the product.
52 JAN-FEB 2022 | DAIRYPROCESSING.COM
Alfa Laval, a global alliance partner of Tetra Pak, produces
the LKH pump, which delivers energy efficiency and claims
to be 30% more energy efficient than similar midrange pumps.
The LKH pumps are used for evaporation, high-pressure,
self-priming and high-purity applications. Alfa Laval SolidC
focuses on initial cost and the self-priming MR pump, used for
clean-in-place (CIP) return applications.
The AC, AC+, L Series, SP Series, M Series 3A-Certified
line of centrifugal pumps from Ampco includes standard
and heavy-duty, high pressure, self-priming and front-loading
seals. The Ampco AC+ offers an improved shaft design, the
first significant improvement in the traditional " C Series " style
of pump. The LF Series line-up offers a front-loading seal
option for ease-of maintenance.
TWIN SCREW PUMPS
One big shift happening within dairy processing facilities is
the use of twin screw pumps to provide greater flexibility.
Like positive displacement pumps, twin screw pumps can be
Alfa Laval LKH centrifugal pumps increase process
productivity and provide gentle product handling and
food safety and hygiene.
Alfa Laval
http://www.DAIRYPROCESSING.COM
Dairy Processing - January/February 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Dairy Processing - January/February 2022
