Rapid particle size measurements used as a proxy to control instant whole milk powder dispersibility

Abstract

Dispersibility is a key quality variable for instant whole milk powder (IWMP) measured manually using a complex and laborious dissolution method. This is thus normally carried out post production at industrial dryers. However, this means there is no immediate feedback so the functional quality cannot be controlled in real-time.This work proposes the idea of applying a simpler, surrogate measurement that can be implemented in the plant in order to have useful real-time information regarding the quality of the product being produced. This we term is a proxy measurement.The functional property dispersibility was used as a case study, with particle size being investigated as a proxy at an industrial IWMP plant. It was found that particle sizing could be used to provide useful information regarding the powder, with the proxy measurement being able to predict in-specification powder 97 % of the time.Although the test was not as effective for predicting out-of-specification results, with a false-positive rate of 50 %, the fact that out-of-specification events are rare in the industry setting means that the overall proxy measurement is still between 78-87 % accurate, and thus useful for predicting the dispersibility quality of the IWMP. Furthermore, these proxy measurements can then be combined with on-line plant information using multivariate techniques to further improve their accuracy * Preprint to Dairy Science & Technology, August, 2016, DOI 10.1007 1 and understand how the quality can be controlled by changing the plant processing conditions.

Wavelength Selection FOR Rapid Identification of Different Particle Size Fractions of Milk Powder Using Hyperspectral Imaging

“…Hyperspectral imaging data has the advantage of producing distribution maps for better visualization over traditional spectroscopic techniques. Presence of fine particles has a significant impact on the quality of the milk powder [33]. Therefore, chemical images and a distribution map were produced by pixel spectra of milk powder sample and the regression coefficient of a model.…”

Particle Size Distribution Applied to Milk Powder Rehydration

“…However, tests to determine rehydration properties are usually highly dependent on the measurement technique and the classification scale, which in turn force industries to develop their own methods, adapted to specific applications or to meet clients demands. 8 Works have been conducted with the aim of developing easier, more convenient and reproducible methods to evaluate the dissolution properties of dairy powders. 8,9 It is well known that these properties are influenced by composition and chemistry of particles surface, as well as particle size distribution and density of the particles.…”

“…8 Works have been conducted with the aim of developing easier, more convenient and reproducible methods to evaluate the dissolution properties of dairy powders. 8,9 It is well known that these properties are influenced by composition and chemistry of particles surface, as well as particle size distribution and density of the particles. 8 Ergo, analysis of particle size distribution has been frequently used to characterize rehydrated milk powder.…”

“…8,9 It is well known that these properties are influenced by composition and chemistry of particles surface, as well as particle size distribution and density of the particles. 8 Ergo, analysis of particle size distribution has been frequently used to characterize rehydrated milk powder. 10,11 In this way, this work intended to evaluate dispersibility and solubility through particle size distribution in order to establish a new rehydration index for whole milk powder.…”

Real-time biomass feedstock particle quality detection using image analysis and machine vision

“…grading feedstock before it is transported to the biorefinery. Online, real-time particle shape and sizing instruments are currently available and in use in several product processing industries [5,6]. Although these solutions fill the need for online instrumentation reasonably well, cost may be a limiting factor in widespread adoption and at multiple locations in the processing line for automation, and limits to portability and hand-held use do not support in-field use.…”