Ensuring compliance with rigorous food production safety regulations is paramount in the dairy industry. Raw milk, procured from diverse sources, often arrives with varying degrees of contamination attributed to supplier handling and transportation.

Contaminants such as dust, rust, and dirt originating from shipping containers, alongside organic and inorganic particulate matter of assorted sizes, pose significant challenges. Left unaddressed, these contaminants can compromise milk quality and jeopardize the integrity of the production process.

Filtration of dairy products

Filtration stands as a pivotal stage within the dairy manufacturing process, serving as a cornerstone for product quality assurance.

More than merely eliminating impurities and maintaining cleanliness, this process is instrumental in adhering to stringent hygiene standards and delivering a superior end product.

Centralized compressed air drying and filtration

First, centralized compressed air drying and filtration becomes the first step in the process. This step ensures a supply of clean, dry air in dairy processing facilities to prevent malfunctions in equipment such as air-flow conveyors, packers, pallet stackers and more.

Point-of-use compressed air

Point-of-use compressed air is then filtered to a sterile state to meet the stringent requirements of food and beverage facilities, especially dairy processing.

This aseptic air is used in a number of critical applications such as cover air protection in packaging areas, pneumatic conveying of materials, and more.

Pre-filtration of water to dosage water grade

Water filtration is also an essential step, especially for process and batch water. This ensures that the water used for the final product meets strict hygiene standards. Dosing water is in direct contact with the product, so the conversion and inspection process is clearly defined.

Steam Filtration

Finally, steam filtration plays an important role in tank ventilation, packaging and filling machines, mixing and dosing.

Through the application of sterile compressed air and the filtration of sterile air, hygienic standards in the production of dairy products are guaranteed, ultimately ensuring the quality of the product.

When producing dairy products, special attention needs to be paid to the following matters:

Handling of fresh milk

The fat and protein content of transported fresh milk needs to be adjusted. Fresh milk is thoroughly stirred during the production process so that the fat particles are crushed into smaller particles and evenly dispersed.

Pasteurization process

In the subsequent pasteurization process, the milk is heated to 90-95°C, held for a period of time and then cooled to 40°C. This step ensures that the product is hygienic and safe.

Fermentation process

The mixture is fermented in tanks at a constant temperature of 37°C for 8 hours. During this time, the milk gradually turns sour and thickens. The mixture is gently stirred during fermentation to maintain a smooth consistency.

Cooling and filling

The mixture is then cooled to 20°C to reduce the activity of the strains and poured into glasses or bottles. Finally, the product is cooled to 4°C to ensure the culture is intact. This step helps to maintain the quality and freshness of the dairy product.

Filtration solutions for dairy products

At Sanitek, we offer an extensive array of filtration solutions tailored to meet the stringent quality and purity requirements of dairy production processes.

Raw Milk Filtration Process

Raw milk is vulnerable to various contaminants such as rust, dirt, and organic/inorganic particles during handling and transportation, which can compromise the quality of dairy products.

Our solution involves the use of sanitary stainless steel cartridge filters equipped with 10-micron PP pleated cartridge filters. This setup efficiently purifies raw milk, ensuring the reliable production of cheese, yogurt, and other dairy products.

Gas Filtration Process

During the pumping of yogurt and cleaning solutions from storage tanks, vapor condensation or temperature changes can lead to tank collapse. Our ventilation and filtration system mitigates this risk by replenishing clean air.

Utilizing sanitary SUS316 filter housings paired with 0.2-micron hydrophobic PTFE pleated membrane cartridge filters, this system delivers sterile air for transportation, packaging, and other processes, maintaining impeccable product hygiene standards.

Ingredient Filtration Process

In the intricate process of yoghurt production, our sterilizing filtration system plays a paramount role in ensuring the utmost sterility and cleanliness of water at every stage.

Utilizing state-of-the-art sanitary SUS316 filter housings coupled with finely engineered 0.2-micron hydrophilic PES membrane pleated cartridge filters, this equipment meticulously eliminates yoghurt residues and bacteria from the production line, thereby upholding the pristine purity of the final product while safeguarding consumer health.

Steam Filtration Process

Our steam filtration systems are integral to delivering pristine steam for a multitude of applications, including SIP/CIP systems, heat exchange systems, curd production systems, brine rinsing systems, and fruit filling and packaging.

Through the mitigation of wear and tear during system operation and the extension of service life, this pivotal process stands as a cornerstone, safeguarding both product quality and production system stability.

Rely on Sanitek for cutting-edge filtration solutions that uphold the utmost standards of dairy product quality and purity, ensuring optimal performance and peace of mind.

Conclusion

Sanitek’s filtration products provide superior solutions for the entire dairy production process. Our liquid, vapour and sterile air solutions are used in a wide range of dairy products, including yoghurt, white cheese and ice cream, covering everything from raw milk filtration to gas and ingredient filtration.

In raw milk processing, we use hygienic stainless steel cartridge filters and PP membrane cartridge filters to effectively purify raw milk, reduce the risk of contamination and ensure high-quality dairy products.

Meanwhile, in the gas filtration process, our ventilation and filtration system uses sanitary SUS316 filter housings and 0.2 microns hydrophobic PTFE pleated membrane cartridge filters, which provide sterile air for transportation, packaging, and other equipment to meet stringent hygiene standards.

Sanitek’s filtration products not only help producers around the world increase productivity and reduce the risk of contamination, they also meet stringent regulatory requirements.

If you encounter any filtration problems in your dairy production process, please feel free to contact us and our filtration experts will provide you with professional solutions.