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Milk homogenizer: What is the Price of a High Quality Device

Milk homogenizer. One of the important processes in dairy production is mil homogenization. Homogenized milk has many advantages compared to non-homogenized. In particular, the taste and ‘feel’ of the milk improve, as well as storage and transportation stability, no traces of fat in milk containers.

The quality of the products made from homogenized milk is much higher. That is why homogenization became a must in most processes to make milk, dairy products, ice-cream, cheese etc.

Due to the development of homogenized component technology, the requirements to product dispersion are high. The main problem of making fine emulsions are the limited capabilities of homogenizers. Development of devices and methods to make finely dispersed emulsion with the ability to adjust dispersion and with high capacity, is rather important.

To homogenize milk and dairy products, valve homogenizers are mostly used. But analysis of valve homogenizer designs shows that there are significant flaws: large size and weight, high material and energy costs, rapid wear of the valve and a high price tag. Other types of homogenizers either fail to achieve the required degree of fat dispersion, or have significant disadvantages in use.

GlobeCore offers food production businesses homogenizers for milk processing with improved characteristics. We can manufacture a device based on your individual specifications for your production line. If necessary, GlobeCore specialists will visit the site, set up the production line and commission it. The “homogenizer prices” issue will be a thing in the past after you see our homogenizers in action!

Choosing a Homogenizer

Choosing a Homogenizer. The modern market economy demands that production costs must be reduces as much as possible without degrading the quality of the product.

In this context, the most promising direction is saving on resources and energy. One way of achieving this is to replace the existing equipment with new, power efficient system and to develop more efficient production technologies.

Choosing a Homogenizer. The above motivates businesses to perfect their technology processes and equipment. One of the examples of this approach is to improve certain processes and using colloid mill homogenizers, which are successfully used in the food industry in production of mayonnaise, milk, juice with pulp and various mixed foods. Hence the interest of many businesses in homogenizers and the question of which product to choose. The essence of the process is mixing of various components (liquids or powders). The quality of the resulting product is controlled by uniformity and texture.

Colloid mill homogenizers show a range of advantages compared to other types of devices.

The advantages are as follows:

  • ability to combine the processes of homogenization and dispersion of the product;
  • a heating or cooling jacket allows to control process temperature;
  • high degree of homogenization (particle size as small as 1 micron);
  • easy retrofitting of the mill into existing production lines;
  • ability to adjust pulverization and pumping depending on the properties of the processed materials.

Therefore, colloid mill homogenizers are the most efficient type of equipment for intensive hydromechanical and mass exchange processes.

High Pressure Homogenizers

At this time, more and more production processes involve such stages as pulverization, mixing and pumping. Almost all liquid products of food, chemical and pharmaceutical industries pass through these stages. In the food industry, the quality of pulverization and homogenization of the product is the key, it is these processes that define the taste and smell, structure and consistency, color and appearance of the product. Also, the homogenization quality defines the separation stability of the product within a certain time, which a factor of marketable appearance.

In the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, the processes related to pulverization, mixing and pumping are also very important, as they define the quality, efficiency and the rate of chemical reactions in preparation of suspensions and emulsions.

The mixing processes are characterized by two main factors: mixing efficiency and energy consumption. Efficiency of mixing is a concept of the resulting quality per a unit of time. Another factor is the dispersion of the product, since in many processes it is essential.

Modern production facilities, facing the high requirements to dispersion, use high pressure homogenizers, plunger or other types, which operate in two stages: a pump creates high pressure (up to 20 MPa) and then pushing the material through a narrow gap in the chamber. The disadvantage of these units is the high power consumption with low processing rate, as well as the possibility of large solid particles entering the finished product.

There are also machines with many factors influencing the material, such as rotary pulse systems, which operate on the principle of varying flow of matter, energy and impulse.

Several effects occur in operation of such devices: pulse pressure and speed, cavitation and high speed gradients. Unfortunately, such devices cannot prevent some large particles from entering the product in one pass cycle.

Bentonitic Oil Homogenizer

Bentonitic Oil Homogenizer. Homogenization (mechanical treatment) is the main stage of bentonitic oil production.

Homogenization evenly distributes the thickening agent in the oil, increasing its effect, making the oil’s texture more uniform and improving the oil’s appearance. Besides, homogenization breaks the condensation structure and creates coagulated thixotropic structure, improving mechanical and colloidal stability along with other parameters.

Rotational, valve and slotted devices are operating at low and high pressures respectively are mostly used for oil homogenization. These are usually used in the final stage of oil production for a one time homogenization. At the same time, multiple homogenization is performed in continuous processes at each production stage. In this case, the product circulates at a relatively low pressure difference in slot valve homogenizers, installed directly on the process pipeline. Three-roller grinder mills, colloid mills and high pressure homogenizers (slot valve) are mostly used for mechanical treatment of oil. Although these machines operate on different principles, the main method of mechanical treatment is the gradual passage of oil through a narrow slot (0.3 – 0.5 mm) between friction surfaces.

A 50 kg per hour three-roller grinding machine consists of parallel and horizontal china, basalt or metal rollers with smooth surface. The rollers with adjustable gap rotate at different speed: 38, 16 and 6.5 RPM (the latter also oscillates laterally). The different rotation speed, facilitated by the different gears, makes the oil coming from the process pipeline, pass between the rollers. The homogenization occurs due to pulverization of solid particles in the gaps between the rollers, their grinding due to the different rotation speeds and grinding in the gap due to vibration of the third roller.

The colloid mill is designed to make highly stable colloid solutions. The mill is based on wet grinding principle, since the cones of the rotor and the stator have a wider gap at the inlet and more narrow gap at the outlet. The complex micro-profile of the rotor surface ensures fine grinding.

In a high pressure homogenizer, particles are pulverized by passing the material through a narrow slot at pressure up to 20 MPa. Speed and turbulence of the flow sharply increase in the gap, shear forces act on the particles, and cavitation occurs due to the pressure drop. Homogenizer main parts are the bushing and the valve, between which the oil passes.

Production of liquid medicines

liquid medicines

Medicine in liquid form released over the counter are obtained by mixing or dissolving the active ingredients in various solvents: ethanol, water, oils, etc. There is also an alternative method of manufacturing medicine in liquid form – extracting active ingredients from plant products.

The basic requirement for such medicine is dispersed and homogeneous distribution of the active substance in a liquid dispersion medium

The classification of liquid forms is based on the degree of grinding of the active substance and the nature of its connection with the dispersion medium. There are 4 liquid forms:

  • Emulsion;
  • Suspension;
  • True solutions;
  • Colloidal solutions.

Also available are medicines that are combinations of the above types of liquid forms. They are extracts, infusions, tinctures, etc.

The reasons for the wide use of liquid medicine

Biopharmaceutical research proved that the use of liquid medication has a more pronounced effect on the process of healing. In addition, liquids have a number of other advantages, among which:

  • Simplicity and ease of use;
  • Faster absorption;
  • Masking unpleasant taste and odor;
  • Variety of use.

Production of liquid forms of medicine

Production of liquid medicine is based on the mixing process. Mixing achieves the homogeneity of medicine distribution in the dispersing medium

The CLM colloid mill by GlobeCore disperses the chemicals in a liquid medium in a process called “wet” grinding. Also, there are other forces that enhance the impact in the colloid mills by GlobeCore; cavitation, mashing and centrifugal force between rotor and stator changing particle size.

The CLM colloid mills make highly stable and ultra-fine medicinal emulsions, suspensions and solutions, which do not separate during prolonged storage and retain their healing properties.

Questions to ask homogenizer manufacturers

So, you decided to buy a homogenizer, but do not know how to pick a manufacturing company and which model to chose?  The problem is common. There is a lot of models available in the market now, and the choice may be confused. Let’s try to figure out how to avoid possible errors.

The first to look for is productivity and operating conditions. The productivity is easy to chose, but working conditions affect the type of motor used in a homogenizer. An explosive environment is a very good reason to choose explosion proof equipment.

Also, it is necessary to communicate with the manufacturer. Asking questions and getting answers is free, so be sure to clarify all issues.

The first question to ask is the difference between the equipment offered by competitors, especially in terms of economic efficiency

The second one is to clarify what additional devices come with the homogenizer and who supplies the spare parts.

The third question is service support, both before and after purchase. Many people forget about it – and make a mistake. The startup of equipment does not always go smoothly, even if you operate it in strict compliance with instructions. You also need to consider all possible nuances that arise during the operation of the homogenizer.

The last important point is the warranty. Don’t buy without one! Ask if it is possible to replace the unit in case of malfunction that occurred during operation, as well as the cost of extended warranty.

Colloid Mills

Colloid milling is crushing of a product to the size of colloid particles (from a few micron to fractions of a micron).  If certain conditions are created, this product can be produced in virtually any crushing plant, but the use of colloid mills is the most economical and technologically justified method.

The explanation is quite simple.  Particles of colloidal size tend to gravitate to each other, after which they stick together or are compressed by external forces.  To prevent this phenomenon, colloidal milling should be done in the presence of some dispersing medium.  After milling, colloidal particles grow apart at a distance where the attracting force is weaker than wedging force of dispersion medium.  Liquid is considered the best dispersion medium of today, while gas is used less frequently.

In most cases, wet-type colloid milling is used.  The ratio of solid and liquid phases of the system depends on the material which is being milled and can range from 1:2 to 1:6.

The main difference between colloidal systems and molecular solutions lies in their heterogeneity. Impossibility of dissolving the dispersed phase in the dispersing medium is one of the key quality requirements of colloidal milling.

GlobeCore company produces high quality colloidal mills for grinding raw materials for chemical, construction, engineering and oil industries.  Furthermore, GlobeCore colloid mills are used in equipment designed for producing bituminous emulsions and modifying of bitumen with polymers.

About functions and methods of the bitumen emulsions: block the aqueous phase

block the aqueous phase

Different types of bituminous emulsions are mostly used in the construction industry. The main areas of application are following:

  • priming of old pavement before applying asphalt;
  • preparation of cold asphalt mixtures;
  • surface treatment of road surfaces;
  • thin protective layers;
  • patching roads;
  • waterproofing of structures;
  • installation and repair of soft roofs.

The main advantage of bitumen emulsions in comparison with conventional bitumen (or resin) is their use in higher humidity, lower ambient temperature and lower consumption of bitumen.

Due to the fact that the bitumen emulsions have significantly lower viscosity as compared with ordinary bitumen, heating of emulsions and mixes is not required.

Besides, bitumen emulsions allow operation in adverse weather conditions. The use of hot bituminous mix even with the addition of a surfactant do not offer the necessary quality.

With such a wide range of benefits, bitumen emulsions are increasingly popular. This makes it viable to acquire a plant for production of bitumen emulsions, mixing bitumen with water and the various additives necessary for production of the product according to the formulation, reflecting the facility’s requirements.

The UVB-1 bitumen emulsion unit is a semi-automatic system, which consists of several individual modules installed on the same frame: emulsion preparation and water phase preparation units, as well as the control panel.

Production of bitumen emulsions usually involves two stages: preparation of water phase and emulsion preparation.

Water phase is a water solution of the emulsifier, the agent for the transition of the emulsifier into ionic form (acidic reagents for cationic emulsions and alkaline substances for anionic ones) or other components necessary to improve the emulsion.

The water phase unit is equipped with piping, including visual flow indicators, valves and instruments.

Water phase is prepared in tanks with agitators, according to the formulation: volume, temperature, pH and dosage of the components are all controlled. The water phase and hot bitumen are supplied to the colloid mill for mixing. If necessary, bitumen can be thinned by controlled injection of a thinner liquid into the bitumen pipeline.

Portioning the components of the water phase and the thinner is automatic, by the pumps which supply the substances into the pipelines for continuous emulsion production.

Vertical pumps of various models are installed for the supply of water and blend.

The thinner is supplied by a gear pump.

Actual flow is of components is controlled by flow meters with varying measurement ranges: up to 10 m3/h for water, up to 4 m3/h for blend and up to 0.25 m3/hour for thinner.

A great deal of world known technologies in civil and industrial construction use complex bitumen emulsions prepared according to custom formulations. Recently, modern systems for production of high-quality bitumen mixtures and emulsions are becoming increasingly common in the domestic market.

Research and experiments reveal brand new models and formulations to achieve an even greater effect in the use of bitumen emulsions.

Roads of Ghana are Built and Repaired with GlobeCore Equipment

In April, representatives of our company visited Ghana to access the current state of a UVB-1 plant.

This equipment was sold in 2012 and has since produced 40000 m3 of bitumen emulsion. This material is in demand in Ghana, as this country is badly in need of building new and repairing the existing automobile roads.

Application of bitumen emulsions in road construction industry boosts the quality work significantly, expands work season, saves binding materials and fuel. Using emulsions also reduces hazardous emissions into atmosphere.

As a results of the trip, we state that after four years of successful operation in Ghana the UVB-1 is in good state and ready to contribute to the progress of road construction industry of Ghana.