Heat Exchangers for the Dairy Industry

Our company is a leading supplier of sanitary stainless-steel shell and tube heat exchangers, offering solutions that meet the most stringent operating and regulatory standards. Leading Clean-in-Place (CIP) suppliers across the United States trust our heat exchangers for their cleaning systems due to their exceptional quality and our ability to consistently meet sanitary requirements and delivery expectations.

Heat management is crucial in the dairy industry, directly affecting both product quality and taste. When handling heat-sensitive products, it’s essential to have heat exchangers that are properly sized for your specific system and application requirements.

Dairy products require precise heat treatment to inactivate bacteria and extend shelf life. The heat transfer process must be rapid and efficient to avoid compromising the taste and nutritional value of the products. Our team of sales engineers and design experts can customize heat exchangers to the exact specifications your product demands, rather than basing the design solely on surface area.

3-A Compliant Heat Exchangers

Our heat exchangers are 3-A compliant, adhering to strict standards for food and beverage processing to ensure that products passing through the equipment are safe for consumption. We participate in 3-A required third-party verifications and are certified to fabricate heat exchangers according to standard number 12-08. Our experts are actively involved in workgroups for standards development, ensuring we stay current on 3-A standards for product safety.

Our 3-A compliant shell and tube heat exchangers meet finish requirements of 32Ra or better, featuring 316L stainless steel SA-213 seamless tubing and an exposed gasket for easy and thorough cleaning.

Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger Applications

Product Heaters & Coolers

Our heat exchangers are integral to thermal systems in the dairy industry, providing reliable heating and cooling for liquids, creams, yogurts, and more challenging products like whey protein concentrate and other viscous, heat-sensitive materials.

A common application for shell and tube exchangers is pasteurization, a heat treatment process that reduces harmful bacteria in foods to make them safe for consumption and extend their shelf life. Dairy products such as milk, cream, yogurt, and ice cream, as well as liquid and dried eggs, are often surface pasteurized with steam or hot water using shell and tube exchangers. After pasteurization, products are quickly cooled to maintain texture and flavor, and to prepare them for packaging.

Clean-In-Place Heaters

A critical aspect of dairy processing is the cleaning and sanitization of the processing plant. Ensuring proper cleaning and sanitization is vital for the health and safety of both manufacturers and consumers. The Clean-in-Place (CIP) method is a preferred strategy throughout the dairy industry.

Why Choose a CIP System in Dairy?

CIP systems are commonly used in dairies to meet necessary sanitation requirements. These systems remove product residues and microorganisms from inside tanks, pipes, vessels, and process equipment without requiring disassembly.

When processing food fluids like milk or sauces, it is crucial to thoroughly flush the equipment at the end of each batch to prevent cross-contamination and maintain heat exchange efficiency. CIP systems use steam or hot water as the heating medium for their solutions. Our shell and tube heat exchangers efficiently heat these solutions as they circulate through the tubes, typically reaching around 185°F. These stainless steel CIP heaters are designed to the same sanitary standard and with the same surface finish as the equipment being cleaned.

CIP systems offer numerous benefits, including optimal cleaning results with minimal water consumption. In many cases, the solution from the final rinse can be reused for the next cycle’s pre-rinse, further conserving resources. Additionally, CIP systems allow the production plant to maintain operation during cleaning, maximizing production and minimizing labor costs. Investing in a CIP heater ensures that your plant’s cleaning operations are consistently performed to meet the required sanitation standards.