How Did the Italian Dairy Plant Improve Quality, While METTLER TOLEDO Reduced Product Loss with In-Line Control?

The Centrale del Latte di Roma, Rome's largest dairy business, had to prevent non-standard milk from entering the production chain. It also wanted to prevent losses during filling. METTLER TOLEDO In-line control offered them a solution.

1- Detection of Contamination in Milk

Centrale del Latte di Roma wanted to prevent milk contaminated or otherwise not meeting its standards from entering the production chain. He had to be able to do this to ensure that the product quality was always high. Although it is possible to analyze the incoming milk in the laboratory, in-line measurements allow rapid intervention when contaminated / non-compliant milk is detected.

Dairy's managers chose METTLER TOLEDO's in-line conductivity sensors for this critical measurement. Conductivity of pure milk is around 6 mS / cm and values below or above this value indicate that the milk is not compliant with the standard. The robust InPro® 7108 conductivity sensor is literally designed for such applications. It provides accurate measurements in real time, has a dirt-repellent, smooth and hygienic application surface, and lasts up to approximately 200 clean-in-place (CIP) cycles.

With the installed conductivity sensors, the milk discharged from tankers is now monitored and the milk that does not comply with the standard is prevented from entering the warehouse.

2- Reduce Losses in the Filling Line

Centrale del Latte di Roma also wanted to reduce product loss during filling. Losses in the filling line during product changes or after cleaning operations cannot be completely eliminated, but can be reduced. The business found that approximately 1000 liters of milk per day was lost due to timed mechanisms after washing the lines with water and re-feeding the lines. In addition, these mechanisms required regular maintenance and prevented production.

Operations managers decided to use METTLER TOLEDO optical product monitors instead of these devices. Using LEDs to detect changes in the turbidity level and color of liquids, the METTLER TOLEDO InPro 8300 RAMS (Reflection Absorption Multi-Off Switch) is a unique and versatile instrument. It is based on the absorption of a near infrared beam to accurately and instantaneously determine the point where the transition from water to milk is complete. Using data from the monitors, valves are automatically actuated, dramatically reducing product loss.

Optical product monitors save the business more than 200 liters of milk per day and less than one hour per month is sufficient for maintenance, thus ensuring trouble-free operation.

Return on Investment in Six Months

The company was very satisfied with METTLER TOLEDO's solutions. Conductivity sensors and optical product monitors are virtually maintenance free and easily adapt to process conditions. Now both the managers are sure of the quality of the incoming milk, and the losses in the filling line have been reduced by 20%, saving the cost of the entire equipment in just six months.

InPro 7108 Conductivity Sensor

• With a long working life, it is resistant to more than 200 CIP cycles.
• One sensor is sufficient for multiple applications, the wide measuring range ensures standardization in your processes.
• The waterproof connector ensures excellent signal transfer even in extreme humid conditions and direct contact with water.
• It can be used with Tri-Clamp or Varinline connection with its design suitable for hygienic environments.

InPro 8300 RAMS Optical Product Monitor

• Provides minimum product loss, no product wastage thanks to instant recognition of pure product or water.
• With low installation costs, Tuchenhagen VARINLINE provides fast and easy installation in enclosures.
• Simple in-line calibration correction can be made with clear water with fast, easy calibration facility.
• Long-lasting LEDs are used instead of light bulbs. In this way, it minimizes the maintenance cost.

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