MILK COOLING METHOD AND APPARATUS Russian patent published in 2000 - IPC

FIELD: agriculture, in particular, milk cooling equipment used in commercial milk farms. SUBSTANCE: method involves vacuum cooling of milk and directing milk from main milk vacuum pipeline of milking unit via expander into internal loop of heat-exchanger; supplying coolant, such as water from well drilled to 10-15 m depth, into outer loop of heat-exchanger in countercurrency; directing milk cooled to temperature of plus 9 C via flow stabilizer into accumulating vessel of milking unit. Heated water is delivered into heated potable water accumulating vessel, with following usage of this water for hygienic and processing purposes at commercial summer milk farms. Apparatus is connected directly to vacuum milk pipeline. Heat-exchanger has two independent units joined one to the other through floating hinges and locks. Heat-exchange surfaces of each unit are made in the form of rigid meanders defining system of parallel mutually penetrating channels. Heat-exchanger of higher heat-exchange capacity is composed of set of parallel similar heat-exchange surfaces embraced with power screw and adapted for defining alternating milk and water loops. Method and apparatus provide quick flow-through cooling of milk. EFFECT: reduced power consumption, simplified method and construction and convenient operation and maintenance. 4 cl, 9 dwg