Hygiene is key. How automation makes ultrafiltration more efficient and safer.
When dealing with a sensitive and highly perishable product such as raw milk, no product residues or contaminants must remain in the system. To drive the expansion of milk protein concentrate (MPC60) production, Naabtaler Milchwerke invested in a new ultrafiltration system designed with integrated CIP cleaning and 10 individual cleaning cycles. Our automation team was tasked with implementing communication with the existing tanks, customizing the cleaning process, and creating a valid data foundation for future optimizations.
The particular complexity of the process—which involved an above-average number of limit and target values—required us to draw on all of our process expertise.
The objective: To consistently ensure and document the quality of the milk protein concentrate.
Solutions
A new process control system gives us valuable tools to maintain the plant’s high level of cleanliness.
recipes of your choice
Thanks to the wide selection of cleaning recipes, the optimal cleaning method can be selected, thereby shortening the time between production runs without compromising quality.
end-to-end process control
Through a wide range of measurement processes, we obtain valuable data for early fault detection. Built-in safety mechanisms prevent pressure drops and temperature spikes.
longer membrane service life
By making optimal use of the membranes and adjusting a wide variety of factors, we can increase the system’s membrane service life by up to 40%.
automation excellence
Just a 10-minute downtime. Even before the first batch of skim milk, we lay the groundwork for an extremely fast and smooth startup.
Infrastructure Expansion
Programming the PLCs and preparing the process control system for all visualizations.
Simulated control system
All programs are thoroughly tested in a simulation environment, and any errors are corrected immediately. This ensures that everything has been understood correctly.
EA check and tests
First, all programs are loaded; this is followed by hardware configuration and comprehensive valve tests at the process control level.
Starting with water
Initial startup of the ultrafiltration system using water. Skim milk is not introduced until after a successful test run.
