DISPERSING EFFECT OF VEGETABLE-OILS IN SK IM MILK USING POROUS SINTERED METALS

A new dispersion process using highly porous membranes enables the red uction of the required energy input for producing emulsions under high pressure compared with homogenization. This method is, however, still in its development stage and is not yet used under practical conditio ns. A pilot-scale experimental plant using CrNi-sintered metals has al lowed a finely dispersed emulsion (vegetable oil-skim milk) to be obta ined with a rather slight transmembrane pressure difference at a high skim milk flow. The mean fat globule diameter achieved with this syste m corresponded - under optimal experimental conditions - to the quintu ple up to the septuple of the mean membrane pore diameter. For the exp erimental plant used the dispersing effect could be described as a fun ction of the operation conditions and equipment parameters via the dim ension analysis in the form of dimensionless values. However, further work is required to confirm the general validity of the formula found.