IMPROVING THE EFFICIENCY OF PRIMARY MILK PROCESSING ON FARMS

Abstract

Technological processes of primary processing and storage of livestock products require large volumes of low-potential thermal energy. One of the effective ways to preserve the high quality of milk, reduce the energy consumption of primary processing and storage of livestock products is the use of alternative energy sources. The author has analyzed systems for primary processing and storage of milk based on the use of natural cold, vacuum and thermoelectric modules. The article shows the advantages of such systems as compared with traditional ones and gives the classification of equipment using natural cold. It is noted that when using natural cold, the cost of electricity for cooling milk is reduced to 10...12 kWh/t, and when using a hybrid vacuum-evaporation plant - up to 15...18 kWh/t. The article presents a technological scheme of a thermoelectric installation for milk cooling and pasteurization and recuperative heating of washing water on farms with milking robots. Based on the performed analysis the author makes recommendations on the use of alternative energy sources for milk pre-cooling on farms with milking robots. It is established that the use of alternative energy sources provides for environmentally safe, energy-saving and reliable primary processing and storage of livestock products in the places of its production, and contributes to a significant reduction in losses and preservation of high quality. Studies have proved the effectiveness of using combined cooling and storage systems for livestock products using natural cold in combination with thermoelectric, vacuum, and ground cooling