Setting Up the Next Generation Dairy and Nutritionals Processing Plants
By Carsten Juhl Jessen, M.Sc. Dairy Science & Technology, Deputy Division Manager, GEA Process Engineering Soeborg, Denmark
Worldwide, the dairy and nutrition industry is gearing up – increasing capacity and upgrading facilities to meet the growing demand for high quality and safe products from a rising global population. Serving the industry for decades with a full line of leading technologies for dairy and nutritionals powder production, GEA Process Engineering is at the forefront. The portfolio ranges from the raw material reception through mixing and formulation, membrane filtration, and heat treatment to evaporation, spray drying and powder handling and packaging. It positions GEA in a unique position for delivering complete plants – fully integrated and meeting all standards – on time.
Efficiency and Profitability
The quest for improved operational efficiency continues to drive the demand for larger and more efficient plants – delivering safe products that meet the strictest regulations. Significant economies of scale clearly stimulate this development. The next is continuous operation 24/7 where the up-time of the plant is maximized by switching to ‘spare-units’ during cleaning of single components. An example: By adding additional evaporation and feed systems to a plant, the spray dryer will continue 24/7 for weeks while the evaporation and feed systems are cleaned daily. Giving an additional 3-4 hours production/day, it improves the output by 15-20% at a relatively low investment.
Component design is also a major driver for efficiency and product quality. The GEA Niro Air Dispersers set the standard and are unrivalled. They facilitate fully interlocked, safe and ergonomically optimized spray nozzle handling while operation is supervised by advanced camera systems. Advanced Process Control systems – in particular the new GEA Niro DRYCONTROL™ system – incorporates product application know-how and integrates new PAT technologies, it improves plant performance and product quality while minimizing resource and energy consumption.
Delivering the Project
As any delays during the setting-up of a new facility means losing valuable production or even missing a commercial opportunity, the importance of experience, effective project management and teamwork must not be underestimated. It requires skills that are only obtained by training and vast experience.
GEA Process Engineering brings knowledge from multiple significant projects and new innovative solutions. By working close together with our customers, we deliver solutions that drive their business and provide the edge in a competitive world.
GEA Process Engineering
GEA Process Engineering is the company behind a number of well-renowned brands within dairy technology including GEA Niro evaporation and drying technology, and the Avapac™, Colby™, Albro™, Nu-Con™ and SmartFil™ powder handling and packing technologies.
GEA Process Engineering A/S,
Gladsaxevej 305,
DK-2860 Soeborg.
Denmark.
Tel: +45 3954 5454
Email: gea-niro.food@gea.com
