A PLANT AND A METHOD OF TREATING MILK

摘要

A plant and a method of treating milk so as to obtain milk with a low content of spores and bacteria. In a centrifugation unit (4) the milk is separated into a cream fraction (CR) and a skim-milk fraction. The skim-milk fraction is separated in a microfiltration unit (8) into a spore and bacteria-containing retentate (R) and a permeate (P) with a low content of spores and bacteria. The cream fraction (CR) is sterilized in a sterilizing unit (16), and the sterilized cream (STCR) or a portion thereof is mixed with the permeate (P) into standardized milk. The retentate is recirculated to the centrifugation unit (4) which is of the type separating the material into the cream fraction (CR), the skim-milk fraction (SM), and furthermore a sludge fraction (SL). The plant and the method ensure a high microfiltration capacity and the cheese formation properties of the milk is maintained.