Modern Technologies of Milk Whey Processing in the Conditions of New Techno-Economic Paradigm

Abstract

The transition to the next techno-economic paradigm under the conditions of new industrialization has demanded a change in the attitude of consumers to secondary raw materials and, in particular, approaches to the processing of milk whey. One of the breakthrough technologies of waste-free processing of whey is membrane technology. The study is currently significant insofar as it considers reprocessing of secondary raw materials represented by milk whey generated in bulk in the course of curd and cheese production. Waste-free method of whey reprocessing has been experimentally justified employing two stages of baromembrane technology: ultrafiltration at the first stage to recover macromolecular components followed by reverse osmosis concentration of lactose applying modern domestically produced membranes. The materials and methods for investigating the processes of ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis concentration of whey have been described. Proprietary solution has been suggested for milk whey ultrafiltration without its preliminary treatment using ceramic ultrafiltration elements (0.01). Optimum operating parameters for the processes of ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis concentration of whey have been experimentally established and verified in the workshop environment. A technological process for Waste-free whey processing has been developed. The results of the experimental investigations have been discussed and the relevant conclusions have been made. As a result ceramic membrane can be recommended as the most preferable technical solution for separating whey without any preliminary treatment during ultrafiltration process. Recommendations are given for reverse osmosis process conditions.