A milk chiller, also known as a bulk milk cooler (BMC), isa refrigerated storage tank designed to quickly and efficiently cool milk to a safe temperature (below 4C) after milking, preventing bacterial growth and spoilage.
Here's a more detailed description:
Function and Purpose:
Milk chillers are designed to rapidly cool milk from its initial temperature (around 35C) to a safe temperature (around 4C).
This rapid cooling is crucial for preserving milk quality, extending its shelf life, and preventing bacterial growth, which can lead to spoilage.
Milk coolers play a vital role in the dairy value chain, ensuring the quality of milk from the farm to the processing plant.
They facilitate the transportation of milk to dairy plants without spoilage.
There are different types of milk chillers, including glycol and air-cooled systems.
Key Features:
Milk chillers utilize a refrigeration system to maintain low temperatures.
They typically feature an insulated tank to prevent heat transfer from the surrounding environment.
An agitator or stirrer ensures even cooling by circulating the milk within the tank.
They have temperature sensors and controls to monitor and maintain the desired temperature.
Milk chillers are available in various capacities, ranging from small units for individual farms to large units for collection centers.
Some milk chillers are designed as mobile units, which can be mounted on vehicles for transporting milk from farms to collection centers.
Some systems include pre-coolers that use cold water to partially cool the milk before it enters the main tank.
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