Ultrafiltration concentration of whey in a pilot plant

Abstract

Experimental data on the retention coefficient and the output specific flow are obtained. The test solutions were goat and cow's milk whey after obtaining cheese. The description, general view and technological scheme of a pilot installation of a tubular type are given. The studies were carried out on semipermeable tubular type ultrafiltration membranes manufactured by AO "ZAVKOM". Based on the studies, graphical dependences of the retention coefficient on the specific output stream were constructed and analyzed. During the analysis, it was noted that with an increase in the output specific flow of the solvent, the retention coefficient decreases. The reason for this is the boundary layers of fat and protein formed in the near-membrane layers, which prevents the passage of protein molecules through the pores of the membrane. Also during the experiment, it was noted that goat milk serum has a more oily structure and requires prior separation. For the theoretical calculation of the retention coefficient and specific output stream, mathematical expressions are developed and numerical values of the values of empirical coefficients are obtained. The developed mathematical expressions describe the experimental data with good confidence. The obtained experimental and calculated data can be used with great reliability in the calculations of mass-transported flows of substances through semipermeable membranes, as well as in engineering methods for calculating and predicting the effectiveness of the use of membrane processes for the concentration of whey.