Does anyone have experience with methods for reducing foam in milk tanks. I am working with a process that tends to cause milk to foam and want to reduce it in a tank by some method other than chemical. Are there mechanical or other methods?
Dear Rick, I have worked for some years in the surfactant industry. Important details for product managment:
- Suction Pumps and membrane pumps are suitable and they transport almost all of the product and foam. Particularly avoid centrifugal pumps if you have to overcome large pressure heads.
- Always discharge product over surfaces with some kind of angle of inclination, or cones.
- Higher temperature for transport of the product induce lower foam formation.
- Spraying a thin rain of milk or water every couple of hours reduces the remaining foam.
The main advice: When discharging a foamy product think of serving your beer glass. How do you avoid foam formation?