HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Aceto, N. C. Articles by Panzer, C. C. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Aceto, N. C. Articles by Panzer, C. C.

Continuous Vacuum Foam Drying of Whole Milk Under Simulated Commercial Scale Conditions

Eastern Marketing and Nutrition Research Division, ARS, USDA, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19118

ABSTRACT

This paper reports studies that tested the technical feasibility of vacuum foam drying of whole milk under simulated commercial-scale production. The tests showed that the scale-up ratio from pilot to commercial size is valid and that the feed nozzle will deliver a smooth and continuous ribbon of foam to the belt at commercial rates. They also showed that the agitated-film, vacuum evaporator will operate for at least 12 hours before shutdown for cleaning becomes necessary. A multiple-blade doctoring system was designed, built, installed and tested that permits satisfactory continuous removal of product from belt for at least five consecutive days. Other important observations were that temperature of the gas-containing concentrate and its dwell time from the gas disperser through the nozzle to the belt have significant effects on the behavior of foam as it leaves the nozzle and as it reacts to heat on the belt. It is concluded that insofar as a pilot-scale can predict, the vacuum foam-dried whole milk process is ready for commercialization.