Machinery World

Homogenisers

Story of Homogenization

Raw milk, as it comes from the cow, is an emulsion- a mixture of milk-fat globules, various solids and water. Over time, the fat globules separate out and rise to the surface as a layer of cream, leaving what is essentially skim milk, down below.In the years before today's processed dairy products, some people found this to be an inconvenience because it meant the milk had to be agitated often to keep the cream mixed in. Enter inventor Auguste Gaulin, a Frenchman who, like Pasteur before him, had a hand in further changing the physical and chemical properties of milk. Gaulin's brilliant invention, an emulsifying or 'homogenizing' machine, patented in 1899, (above, a modern version) broke milk's fat globules into a smaller, more uniform size that resisted separation and rising. Since then, over a hundred patents have been granted to other devices aiming for smaller and smaller particle size while using less and less energy. Homogenization today is usually a two step process. The first stage, similar to Gaulin's early device, pushes milk through small, tapered tubes or pores. As the diameter shrinks and the flow of milk remains constant, pressure builds up and fat globules break apart in the turbulence. The higher the pressure, the smaller the particles. How much pressure? Typically 2,000-3,000 pounds per square inch (psi), although some super homogenizers work at over 1000 times atmospheric pressure- 14,500psi and higher! As the much smaller fat globules begin to reassemble, they include fragments of whey and casein in their walls. Some are completely surrounded by a layer of protein. The tendency is for these new, chemically altered globules to clump together. Stage two of the homogenization process breaks up this unwanted assembly and makes sure everything stays in solution.

Various Manufacturers of Homogenisers

APV Manton Gaulin, APV Rannie, APV Crepaco, Tetra Pak, Tetra Pak Alex, Tetra Alex, Tetra TAM. GEA, FBF, Bertoli, Alfa Laval, Mark, Gaulin, Rannie, Cherry Burrel, Armfield

Ways of spelling Homogeniser

Homogeniser (UK), Homogenizer (US)

Models of Homogeniser

APV GAULIN MC4, APV GAULIN MC7, APV GAULIN MC15, APV GAULIN MC18, APV GAULIN MC25, APV GAULIN MC45, APV GAULIN MC100, APV GAULIN MC120, ALFA LAVAL SHL15, ALFA LAVAL SHL20, ALFA LAVAL SHL30, ALFA LAVAL SHL 40, FBF MILLENIUM SERIES, FBF001, FBF002, FBF003, FBF004, FBF005, FBF006, FBF007, FBF008, FBF10, FBF011, FBF015, FBF018, FBF022, FBF025, FBF030, FBF037, FBF045, FBF047, FBF055, FBF075, FBF090, FBF110, FBF130, FBF132, FBF160, FBF170, FBF200, FBF250, TETRA ALEX S05, TETRA ALEX S15, TETRA ALEX 20, TETRA ALEX 30, TETRA ALEX 400, GEA NIRO SOAVI NS 2006, GEA NIRO SOAVI NS 3006, GEA NIRO SOAVI NS 3015, GEA NIRO SOAVI NS3024, GEA NIRO SOAVI NS3037, GEA NIRO SOAVI NS3075, GEA NIRO SOAVI NS3110, GEA NIRO SOAVI NS5132, GEA NIRO SOAVI NS5180, GEA NIRO SOAVI NS6200, GEA NIRO SOAVI NS, GEA NIRO SOAVI NS8315, RANNIE 5, RANNIE 15, RANNIE 24, RANNIE 37, RANNIE 55, RANNIE 90, RANNIE 132T, RANNIE 132Q, RANNIE 185 Q, RANNIE 200, RANNIE 315, GAULIN 15, GAULIN 24, GAULIN 37, GAULIN 55, GAULIN 90, GAULIN, GAULIN 132T, GAULIN 132Q, GAULIN 185Q, GAULIN 200, GAULIN 315, MANTON GAULIN K3, MANTON GAULIN K6 ,ANTON GAULIN K12, MANTON GAULIN K24