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Quotes - Engineering - SalesDairy Heat Exchangers for Whey Protein Concentrate Processing
WPC processing demands gentle heat transfer to avoid denaturing valuable proteins like beta-lactoglobulin during pasteurization and concentration. Plate-and-frame exchangers provide efficient low-temperature pasteurization at 72–75°C, shell-and-tube handle high-solids evaporation, tube-in-tube offer low-shear cooling, and Advantage chillers maintain precise temperatures below 50°C during ultrafiltration—all ensuring high protein retention and 3-A compliance while reducing fouling from whey components.
Applications
- Whey Pasteurization: Heat exchangers pasteurize sweet or acid whey at 72–75°C for 15 seconds, inactivating enzymes and microbes without significant protein denaturation.
- Pre-Concentration Heating: Gentle warming to 40–50°C prepares whey for ultrafiltration or reverse osmosis, enhancing membrane flux while preserving native proteins.
- Evaporation for Higher Solids: Multi-effect systems concentrate WPC to 35–80% solids at low temperatures (50–60°C) under vacuum, minimizing thermal damage.
- Post-Concentration Cooling: Chillers rapidly cool concentrated WPC to 4–10°C to prevent microbial growth and maintain solubility before spray drying.
- CIP for Protein Fouling: Automated CIP removes whey protein films using enzyme-based cleaners, restoring heat transfer in high-fouling WPC lines.
Plate & Frame Exchangers
Compact High-Efficiency Heating & Cooling
- Up to 10,000 L/h Capacity
- Regenerative Energy Recovery
- CIP-Compatible Gaskets
Shell & Tube Exchangers
Robust for Viscous Milk Flows
- Custom Tube Configurations
- High-Pressure Handling
- Sanitary Tri-Clamp Fittings
Tube-in-Tube Exchangers
Gentle, Low-Fouling Heat Transfer
- Coaxial Tube Design
- Ideal for Pre/Post-Homogenization
- Fully CIP & 3-A Compliant
Advantage Chillers
Precision Cooling to 0.5°C
- Water or Glycol Systems
- ±0.1°C Temperature Stability
- Stainless Steel & CIP Ready
The Benefits of Dairy Heat Exchangers for Whey Protein Concentrate Processing
WPC is a heat-sensitive product where improper thermal processing can reduce protein functionality by up to 50%. A sports nutrition supplier boosted WPC yield by 18% using low-temperature plate-and-frame pasteurizers and shell-and-tube evaporators with vacuum control, paired with Advantage chillers for gentle cooling—preserving 95%+ native protein structure and achieving zero denaturation complaints over two years.
These exchangers incorporate wide-channel designs for whey flow, 316L stainless with electropolished surfaces, and regenerative heat recovery to keep temperatures below 60°C during concentration. Tube-in-tube systems minimize shear on delicate proteins, while PLC integration monitors pH and temperature for optimal membrane performance. Specialized CIP protocols remove mineral and protein fouling without harsh chemicals.
