Plate Type Cream Pasteurizer for Continuous Dairy Processing

Product introduction of Plate Type Cream Pasteurizer

Designed for continuous dairy processing, this HTST plate pasteurizer combines rapid heating, controlled holding, heat recovery, and cooling within a compact processing unit. The stainless steel plate heat exchanger is divided into regeneration, heating, and cooling sections, allowing incoming cold product to recover energy from outgoing pasteurized product. Heat regeneration can reach approximately 90%, reducing utility demand during continuous operation. Product is indirectly heated with hot water or steam and held at the required pasteurization temperature for 15–30 seconds. An automatic flow-diversion valve returns insufficiently treated product to the balance tank, while temperature and pressure alarms provide process protection. Two sanitary product pumps maintain controlled circulation and pressure conditions throughout the system. Integrated data recording supports monitoring, storage, and traceability. Depending on process requirements, glycol or ice water can provide final cooling, with product temperatures reaching approximately 4°C before transfer to storage tanks or filling equipment for hygienic handling.

Typical HTST Processing Flow

Balance Tank → Product Pump → Regenerative Preheating → Final Heating → Holding Tube → Flow Diversion Check → Heat Regeneration → Final Cooling → Storage Tank / Filling

This arrangement enables heating, holding, energy recovery, process verification, and cooling to operate continuously rather than requiring separate batch treatment.

Main System Components

A complete configuration can include:

• Stainless steel plate heat exchanger
• Product balance or receiver tank
• Two sanitary product pumps
• Hot water circulation system
• Holding tube
• Automatic flow-diversion valve
• Temperature sensors and recorder
• Pressure monitoring instruments
• Visual and audible alarm system
• Automatic control cabinet
• Data storage system
• Sanitary valves and piping
• Optional final cooling section

Technical Specifications

Parameter	Specification
Processing Capacity	400–5000 L/h
Processing Method	Continuous HTST pasteurization
Heat Exchanger	Three-section plate heat exchanger
Heat Regeneration	Approx. 90%
Holding Time	15–30 seconds
Reference Holding Temperature	Approx. 72°C*
Product Contact Construction	Stainless steel
Heating Medium	Steam or hot water
Cooling Medium	Glycol or ice water
Minimum Final Temperature	Approx. 4°C*
Cooling Water Requirement	Approx. 1500 L/h*
Cooling Water Pressure	Approx. 1 bar*
Electrical Requirement	3 × 400 V AC, 50 Hz
Installed Power	15 kW
Approximate Weight	380 kg
Maximum Width	2000 mm
Depth	800 mm
Height	1800 mm

Key Features

• HTST Continuous Processing: Rapidly heats the product and maintains the required pasteurization temperature for a short controlled period.
• Approximately 90% Heat Regeneration: Reuses heat from outgoing pasteurized product to preheat incoming cold product.
• Three-Section Plate Heat Exchanger: Integrates heat recovery, final heating, and cooling within one thermal processing module.
• 15–30 Second Holding Section: Provides controlled residence time at pasteurization temperature.
• Automatic Flow Diversion: Redirects inadequately pasteurized product back to the balance tank when required conditions are not achieved.
• Dual Product Pump Design: Supports stable product circulation and controlled pressure differential.
• Temperature and Pressure Alarms: Optical and acoustic alarms help operators identify abnormal processing conditions.
• Process Data Recording: Production data can be stored for monitoring, documentation, and process review.
• Optional Final Cooling: Ice water or glycol cooling can reduce product temperature before storage or filling.

Three-Section Plate Heat Exchanger

The thermal process is divided into three functional sections: heat regeneration, heating, and cooling. This arrangement allows several processing steps to take place inside one compact plate heat exchanger while maintaining separation between the product and heating or cooling media.

The modular plate configuration also makes the system suitable for continuous production where efficient heat transfer and a relatively small equipment footprint are important.

Up to 90% Heat Regeneration

One of the main advantages of the system is its high level of thermal energy recovery. Before entering the final heating section, cold incoming product is preheated by heat transferred from the already pasteurized outgoing product.

This regenerative process can recover approximately 90% of available thermal energy, significantly reducing the heating and cooling load compared with systems without regeneration.

HTST Flash Pasteurization

HTST processing uses a combination of elevated temperature and short holding time rather than prolonged thermal exposure.

The product passes continuously through the heating section before entering a dedicated holding tube for approximately 15–30 seconds. This approach supports efficient thermal treatment while limiting unnecessary exposure to heat, which is particularly valuable when processing temperature-sensitive dairy products.

Suitable Applications

Cream Processing
Provides controlled thermal treatment for pumpable cream before cooling, storage, or further dairy processing.

Drinking Milk
Supports continuous HTST pasteurization followed by regenerative and final cooling.

Dairy Beverage
Suitable for formulated liquid dairy drinks requiring repeatable heating and short holding times.

Ice Cream Mix
Can be configured for thermal processing of pumpable ice cream formulations before cooling and aging.

Yogurt Milk Base
Prepares milk formulations for subsequent cooling and fermentation processes.

Liquid Food and Beverage
The thermal system can also be adapted for suitable juices and other pumpable liquid foods according to their processing characteristics.

Why Choose an HTST Plate Pasteurizer?

This system combines short-time thermal treatment, high heat recovery, automatic product diversion, pressure monitoring, data recording, and final cooling in a continuous processing platform.

For cream and other liquid dairy applications, it provides an efficient alternative to batch pasteurization when higher throughput, repeatable thermal conditions, reduced energy consumption, and integration with downstream processing equipment are priorities.

Optional Configuration

The pasteurizer can be configured according to the required product and production process with options such as:

• Different processing capacities
• Automatic control system
• Touch-screen operation
• Extended process data recording
• Ice water final cooling
• Glycol cooling
• Customized holding time
• Alternative pasteurization temperatures
• Balance tank
• Additional sanitary instrumentation
• CIP circulation system
• Storage tank connection
• Filling machine integration

FAQ

Q: What is HTST pasteurization?
A: HTST refers to High Temperature Short Time processing. The product is rapidly heated to the required pasteurization temperature, held for a controlled short period, and then cooled.

Q: How much heat can the system recover?
A: The regenerative plate heat exchanger can recover approximately 90% of thermal energy under suitable operating conditions.

Q: What happens if the required pasteurization temperature is not reached?
A: The automatic flow-diversion system can redirect insufficiently treated product back to the balance tank rather than allowing it to continue to downstream processing.

Q: Can this pasteurizer process cream?
A: Yes. The system can be configured for pumpable cream and other dairy products. Heat exchanger design and operating parameters should be selected according to fat content, viscosity, capacity, and required thermal treatment.

Q: Can the product be cooled immediately after pasteurization?
A: Yes. Regenerative cooling is followed by an optional final cooling stage using glycol, chilled water, or ice water. Under suitable conditions, the outlet temperature can reach approximately 4°C.

Q: Is the system suitable for continuous production?
A: Yes. The equipment is specifically designed for continuous HTST processing and can be integrated with upstream tanks and downstream storage or filling equipment.

Q: Can the processing capacity be customized?
A: Yes. Configurations from approximately 400 to 5000 L/h can be selected according to product characteristics, production requirements, and available utilities.

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