A whey separator is an essential piece of dairy equipment that helps separate milk and cream, and clarify and standardize it for other uses. From milk fat separation (skimming) to removing bacteria from whey and cheese curds, a whey separator is a key tool in dairy processing. It also has many other applications.
In simple terms, a whey separator works by using centrifugal force to separate the fat globules from the liquid whey of a dairy product. This process can be done at home in a simple kitchen jar, but it is a much more complicated process when used on a commercial scale in a large dairy. The centrifugal force travels into the holes in the disc stack and separates the solids from the liquid based on their density. The fat globules are forced to the center of the bowl and the liquid whey is sent to the outer edges. The separator is capable of separating even the smallest globules, which allows it to be used for skimming.
There are a few different types of separators that are used in the dairy industry. Some are specifically designed to remove bacteria and spores, and others can be used to standardize and clarify milk as well as separate the whey from the cream. The type of separator you will need for your dairy will depend on the kind of products you produce and the specific needs of your plant.
Milk is often contaminated with a variety of particles. Some of these are dirt and foreign matter, while others are bacteria, spores, leucocytes, hair and other external material. These can cause a number of problems, from affecting the quality of your cheese to reducing the shelf life of drinking milk. A whey separator will help to eliminate these problems.
The remanufactured separators that are available for sale online can be a good way to save money on a whey separator. These can be found in a wide range of sizes, from small and medium to large and specialized models. The smaller versions are primarily for skimming, while the larger ones can also be used for standardization and clarification.
When purchasing a whey separator, you will want to look for one that is suitable for the type of milk that you use. For example, if you are going to be doing cold milk separation, you will need to purchase a cooler separator, and vice versa. You should also make sure that the model you buy is capable of handling the capacity of your dairy.
The other important thing to keep in mind is the cleaning capability of your whey separator. A remanufactured separator that is self-cleaning will be able to automatically discharge the sediment in the bottom of the separator bowl when it builds up. This will help to avoid the risk of contamination from foreign material, while still allowing you to use your whey separator as needed. A non-self-cleaning whey separator will require that you manually discharge the sediment on a regular basis.