CLARIFIERS FOR MILK, WHEY AND CALCIUM PHOSPHATE

Our clarifiers are specifically designed for liquid-solid separation. The specific design of this machine enables it to achieve an optimum separation rate for impurities. They can be used for clarifying raw milk warm or cold.

Advantages of clarifiers to clarifying milk using filters

One of the biggest drawbacks of filters is the drop in flow rate over time because a thicker and thicker filter layer builds up. Running time is limited. The entire milk flow is passed through the filter layer. This allows bacteriological problems to arise due to entrainment; there is a risk of bacterial growth in the filter layer and thus reinfection of the milk. What is more, if there are cracks in the filter tissue, the clarifying effect is considerably reduced. Cleaning the filters after production is also an extremely laborious process.

Customer benefits

GEA generally supplies clarifiers with a hydrosoft feed system. This system combines the benefits of the GEA softstream and a hydrohermetic feed.

• Adequate flow cross-sections mean low feed pressure
• Optimum design means great flexibility with regard to feed quantity
• No ribs in the feed chamber mean no shear forces – gentle product treatment
• Hydraulic seal means no air trapped in product

Method of operation of clarifiers

The cleaned milk flows inwards and arrives in centripetal pump chamber. The milk is taken out of the rotating separator bowl under pressure and without foam by stationary centripetal pump. The solids slide outwards and accumulate in double cone-shaped solids chamber. A hydraulic system discharges the solids from the bowl at intervals which can be selected. Ejection is performed at full bowl speed.

Processes in the disk interspace

The large number of individual separation chambers arranged in parallel between the disks divides the milk stream into many thin layers. This minimizes the sedimentation route. A solids particle is considered separated once it has reached the bottom disk surface of the top disk. Flow speed is low here. The particle is no longer entrained with the flow, but slides outwards under the influence of centrifugal force. At the end of the disk, it leaves the separation chamber.

Bowl ejections

In addition to providing adjustable partial ejections, the GEA ejection system also allows the bowl to be emptied completely.

With total ejections, the complete bowl contents are discharged. The feed to the separator has to be interrupted briefly to do this. Total ejections clean all the surfaces inside the bowl due to the very high flow velocities. This is particularly important for chemical CIP of the line and separator. Total ejections of a separator during CIP guarantee optimum results.

Technical Features & Capacities

GEA clarifiers are available with flat belt or integrated direct drive. Their self-cleaning bowl makes the machine suitable for fully automatic cleaning-in-place (CIP). All product-contacting parts are made of stainless steel. FDA approved materials are available for the seals. The product feed and discharges in the bowl are hydrohermetically sealed and do not feature mechanical seals.

Available machine types

Clarifiers for milk or whey with flat belt drive

• GEA ecoclean
• MSE

Clarifiers for milk or whey with integrated drive

• MSI

Clarifiers for the recovery of calcium phosphate

• MSC

The hygienic design is certified by 3-A sanitary standards.

Capacities

Milk or Whey

• GEA ecoclean:
  Milk or whey clarifying: 3,000 l/h – 15,000 l/h
• MSE / MSI:
  Milk or whey clarifying: 10,000 l/h – 75,000 l/h
• MSC:
  Clarifying capacity of DCP: 3000 l/h – 9000 l/h

Standard scope of delivery

Types ecoclean / ecoclear / MSE:

• 3-phase AC motor
• Foundation frame
• Special tools
• Basic spare parts
• Gear oil