Fouling Mechanisms in Dairy Heat Exchangers
Summary
Dairy heat exchangers are prone to the progressive build-up of organic and inorganic deposits on heat-transfer surfaces, a phenomenon known as fouling. The primary drivers of fouling are heat-induced protein denaturation and aggregation, coupled with the precipitation of calcium phosphate and other minerals. These processes are influenced by the temperature profile at the liquid–solid interface, flow dynamics, feed composition (notably protein concentration, pH and mineral content) and the presence of fats. Fouling develops through adsorption of unfolded proteins at heated surfaces, growth of a viscoelastic deposit and eventual compaction to form a rigid layer that impedes heat transfer and increases pressure drop. Variations in process conditions, such as pasteurisation temperature, short-time holding and cleaning-in-place regimes, can modulate the rate of deposit formation as well as its mechanical strength and ease of removal. Understanding these mechanisms has profound implications for energy efficiency, product quality and hygiene in global dairy operations.
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Fouling Mechanisms in Dairy Heat Exchangers publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in fouling mechanisms in dairy heat exchangers across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Fouling: The accumulation of unwanted deposits on heat-transfer surfaces, reducing thermal efficiency and flow performance.
Protein denaturation: The irreversible unfolding of protein tertiary structure under heat, leading to exposure of hydrophobic regions and aggregation.
Calcium phosphate precipitation: The formation of insoluble mineral phases from supersaturated calcium and phosphate ions during heating, contributing to deposit mass.
Cleaning-in-place (CIP): An automated method for removing fouling layers without disassembling equipment, using controlled chemical and thermal cycles.
References
- The Impact of pH on Fouling and Related Physicochemical Properties of Skim Milk Concentrate during Heat Treatment Using a Laboratory-Scale Fouling Rig. Foods (2024).
- Constituent fouling during heat treatment of milk: A review. International Dairy Journal (2022).
- Molecular Understanding of Fouling Induction and Removal: Effect of the Interface Temperature on Milk Deposits. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces (2021).
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