Water Saver in Homogenisers

Homogenisers are basically large high pressure reciprocating pumps with a very narrow gap though which milk is forced to flow. The effect of this highly turbulent and cavitating flow is break up the fat molecules in the milk so that the fat does not separate under gravity leaving a layer of cream on top of the milk.

The seals on the reciprocating pistons that produce the very high pressure are under high stress and are usually cooled and to some extent lubricated by playing a water spray onto the piston just ahead of where it enters the seals. The spent cooling water then passes under gravity to drain. Simple but wasteful of water which can be expensive.

The water can be re-circulated providing it is cool and clean enough which is what Water Savers are for. They usually consist of a small tank, pump, heat exchanger and simple control unit which ensures that the water is the right temperature and clean ready for re use. Satron’s solid state robust VO is the only measuring instrument needed for this application constantly measuring the cleanliness of the water and its temperature. Its switch outputs can directly operate by-pass valves for the whole unit and can control the saved water temperature operating the heat exchanger valves.

A bonus is that the VO instantly sees even a tiny amount of milk leaking from the seals which will save milk which will otherwise be wasted and can be used to give early warning of seal failure allowing for condition based maintenance to be planned in advance of a catastrophic seal failure which would force an un-planned shut down of production.

Credit : Ken roberts