What is a Milk Pasteurization Tank? Working Principle, Advantages, and Applications
What is a Milk Pasteurization Tank?
A milk pasteurization tank is industrial equipment that heats raw milk to a specific temperature, eliminating harmful microorganisms and extending the shelf life of the milk.
This process ensures the milk is hygienic and helps preserve its nutritional value.
The pasteurization process is usually carried out between 65°C and 75°C, after which the milk is rapidly cooled to +4°C. This temperature change prevents bacteria from multiplying and preserves the freshness of the milk for a long time.
Working Principle
A milk pasteurization tank basically consists of three main sections:
Heating Jacket (Jacketed System): Located on the outer surface of the tank, this jacket ensures that the milk is heated in a controlled manner through hot water or steam circulation.
Agitator System: The milk inside the tank is stirred at a slow speed to ensure homogeneous heat distribution.
Cooling Unit: After pasteurization is complete, the milk is rapidly cooled using fan-cooled or water-cooled systems.
This process is fully controlled by automatic thermostats and digital control panels. This ensures that the quality and temperature balance of the milk is always maintained.
The Importance of Milk Pasteurization
Pasteurization not only extends the shelf life of milk, but also protects human health. Raw milk may contain pathogenic bacteria such as Listeria, Salmonella, and Brucella.
These bacteria are completely eliminated by the pasteurization process.
In addition, pasteurized milk:
- Has a longer shelf life,
- Is more stable in terms of taste and consistency,
- Becomes an ideal raw material for yogurt, cheese, and butter production.
Advantages
The advantages offered by milk pasteurization tanks are as follows:
✅ Hygienic Production: Bacterial growth is prevented thanks to the fully stainless steel (AISI 304L or 316L) body.
✅ Energy Efficiency: Heat loss is minimized thanks to the jacketed system.
✅ Automatic Control: Human error is minimized thanks to digital thermostats and timers.
✅ Easy Cleaning: Tank interior cleaning can be easily performed with CIP (Clean in Place) systems.
✅ Durability: Offers long-term use with its high heat and pressure resistant structure.
Areas of Use
Milk pasteurization tanks are widely used in both small-scale farms and industrial production facilities.
Main areas of use:
- Milk processing plants
- Cheese and yogurt production plants
- Milk collection centers
- Agricultural cooperatives
- Food R&D laboratories
Önsa Makine's Milk Pasteurization Tanks
With its many years of experience in the milk processing sector, Önsa Makine manufactures fully automatic, energy-efficient, and hygienic stainless steel pasteurization tanks suitable for every capacity.
Our tanks:
- Come in different capacities ranging from 100 liters to 5,000 liters.
- Are manufactured with optional agitators, jackets, insulation, or fully automatic control systems.
- All our products are CE certified according to European standards.
Want to make your milk pasteurization processes more efficient and hygienic?
👉 Visit the Önsa Makine Milk Processing Equipment page or contact us!
Quality production, safe milk, long-lasting equipment.
