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Membrane filtration of milk is a separation technique using a semi-permeable membrane to divide the feed stream of the liquid into permeate and retentate streams, or the milk that passes through the membrane and the liquid containing the retained substances. The dairy industry utilizes four membrane filtration methods for milk processing: microfiltration (MF), ultrafiltration (UF), reverse osmosis (RO), and nanofiltration (NF). These processes play a vital role in developing an efficient dairy filtration system, supporting diverse applications. Understanding the membrane filtration of milk helps determine the most effective system required to produce optimal dairy products in your operation.

Membrane System Specialists, Inc. offers complete process solutions for our customers in the dairy sector to meet or exceed the stringent standards in the industry. The MSS team works closely with you to design a skid-built membrane filtration system for turn-key assistance with your dairy filtration application. Learn more about the dairy membrane filtration processes possible in our systems and their uses in the dairy industry.

Four Processes in the Membrane Filtration of Milk & Dairy

Depending on the desired end product, membrane filtration in the milk and dairy industry separates components of milk and whey to concentrate, remove, or reduce particles within the milk feed stream, using one of the four processes below.

Microfiltration (MF)

Of the four processes, MF uses a membrane with the most open structure, enabling dissolved material to pass through but rejecting most non-dissolved substances. MF helps to separate and reduce or remove fat, pathogens, and spores from the milk as part of a low-pressure process. This technique is essential in optimizing milk separation for various dairy applications.

Ultrafiltration (UF)

UF utilizes medium pressure and a membrane with a moderately open structure, allowing most dissolved materials, such as lactose, salts, acids, and some non-dissolved components, to flow through it while rejecting larger components. UF dairy processing retains fat and protein, enabling the concentration of whey and milk proteins, making it a cornerstone for producing high-value dairy products.

Reverse Osmosis (RO)

RO uses high pressure and a highly dense membrane that allows only water to cross through it, concentrating solids and rejecting dissolved and suspended materials. The pressure, temperature, pH, feed stream quality, flow rate, and concentration all impact the effectiveness of this advanced dairy membrane filtration technique.

Nanofiltration (NF)

As a medium- to high-pressure process, NF separates minerals from the milk by allowing only the liquid and certain monovalent ions to breach the membrane while withholding the majority of divalent ions. NF operates similarly to RO but with a slightly more open membrane structure, providing versatile solutions for dairy filtration systems.

Applications

Each of these four processes has specific applications for dairy operations, as follows:

  • Microfiltration in the dairy industry. MF is used for bacteria and fat reduction, milk protein fractionation, casein standardization, and cheese brine sanitation. This process improves the quality of milk, whey powder, and high-value dairy ingredients, contributing to the production of extended shelf life (ESL) milk, cheese milk, and lactose-reduced or lactose-free milk.
  • Ultrafiltration in the dairy industry. UF supports protein concentration and protein standardization in milk separation, boosting yields for white cheese and fermented products.
  • Reverse osmosis in the dairy industry. RO allows for efficient water reclamation from milk or whey before evaporation, increasing total solid content and enabling solids recovery. It is also a sustainable solution for waste recovery.
  • Nanofiltration in the dairy industry. NF reduces the mineral content and volume of whey and permeate, concentrates lactose prior to crystallization or evaporation, and produces quality lactose-free milk products.

Trust Membrane System Specialists, Inc. for Milk Separation Systems

As a provider of custom-designed membrane filtration systems for customers in the dairy industry and beyond, Membrane System Specialists focuses on exceptional quality, high-performance operational reliability, and energy efficiency. We offer design, system engineering, fabrication, and automation as part of our core services, along with sanitary installation, control and process integration, project management, and operator training to serve you with comprehensive, customized solutions. Contact us to learn how we support the food and dairy sectors with filtration systems and process equipment that meet the industries’ strict requirements, or request a quote today.