10/3/2011

Homogenization

Why Homogenization?

Vg = velocity
g = force of gravity
p = particle diameter
ρhp = density of the liquid
ρlp = density of the particle
t = viscosity

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Homogenization

Homogenization was invented by a French named :
Gaulin, in 1899 described it in French as “fixer la composition des
liquides”.

Homogenization primarily causes disruption of fat globules into
much smaller ones

The homogenisation reduces fat globule size from an average of 3.5
μm in diameter to below 1 μm, this is accompanied by a four- to six-
fold increase in the fat/plasma interfacial surface area.

Homogenization

The newly created fat globules are no longer completely covered with
the original membrane material. Instead, they are surfaced with a
mixture of proteins adsorbed from the plasma phase.

Casein is the protein half of the complex and it is associated with the
fat fraction through polar bonding forces.

The casein micelle is activated at the moment it passed through the
valve of the homogeniser, predisposing it to interaction with the lipid
phase.

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Process requirements

The physical state and concentration of the fat
phase contribute most

Homogenisation below 40 °C results in incomplete
dispersion of the fat phase.

Products of high fat content are more difficult to
homogenise & also more likely to show evidence of
fat clumping.

Increasing the homogenisation temperature
decreases the visocity of milk & improves the
transport of membrane material to the fat
globules.

Homogenisation : Temp 55 – 80 °C & pressure is
between 10 and 25 MPa (100 – 250 bar)

Flow characteristics

When the liquid passes the
narrow gap, the flow velocity
increases The speed will
increase until the static pressure
is so low that the liquid starts to
boil

The maximum speed depends
mainly on the inlet
(homogenization) pressure

When the liquid leaves the gap,
The Homogenization Valve
the speed decreases and the
pressure increases again. The
liquid stops boiling and the
steam bubbles implode

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Homogenisation theories

The theory of globule disruption by turbulent
eddies (“micro whirls”):

A lot of small eddies are created in a liquid travelling at a
high velocity.

If an eddy hits an oil droplet of its own size, the droplet
will break up.

Higher velocity gives smaller eddies.

This theory predicts how the homogenising effect varies
with the homogenising pressure. This relation has been
shown in many investigations.

Homogenisation theories

The cavitation theory

Shock waves are created when the steam bubbles
implode disrupt the fat droplets.

Homogenisation takes place when the liquid is leaving
the gap, so the back pressure which is important to
control the cavitation is important to homogenisation.
This has also been shown in practice.

However, it is possible to homogenise without
cavitation, but it is less efficient.

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The homogeniser

A high pressure homogeniser is basically a pump
with homogenization device (valve)

Single-stage and two-stage

homogenisation

Homogenisers may be equipped with one
homogenising device or two connected in series

In two-stage homogenisation the back pressure
(P2) is created by the second stage.

Using modern devices, the best results are
obtained when the relation P2/P1 is about 0.2

The second stage also reduces noise and vibrations
in the outlet pipe.

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Single-stage and two-stage

homogenisation

Single-stage homogenisation
may be used for homogenisation
of products with high fat content
demanding a high viscosity
(certain cluster formation)

Two-stage homogenisation is
used primarily to reach optimal
homogenisation results and to
break up fat clusters in products
Disruption of fat globules with a high fat content.
In first & second stages of
Homogenization

Effect of homogenisation

Smaller fat globules leading to less cream-line
formation

Whiter and more appetizing colour

Reduced sensitivity to fat oxidation

More full-bodied flavour, and better mouthfeel

Better stability of cultured milk products
Disadvantages

Somewhat increased sensitivity to light – sunlight
and fluorescent tubes – can result in “sunlight
flavour”

The milk might be less suitable for production of
semi-hard or hard cheeses because the coagulum
will be too soft and difficult to dewater

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The homogenization valve

The distance between the seat
and the forcer is approximately
0.1 mm or 100 times the size of
the fat globules in homogenised
milk.

The velocity of the liquid is
normally 100 – 400 m/s in the
narrow annular gap.

The higher the homogenisation
pressure, the higher the speed.

Homogenisation takes 10 – 15
microseconds.

The homogenization valve

The piston pump boosts the pressure of the milk from about 300
kPa (3 bar) at the inlet to a homogenization pressure of 10 – 25
MPa (100 – 250 bar)

The oil pressure on the hydraulic piston and the
homogenisation pressure on the forcer balance each other.

The hydraulic unit can supply both first and second stage with
an individually set pressure. The homogenization pressure is set
by adjusting the oil pressure

Homogenization always takes place in the first stage. Second
stage basically serves two purposes:

Supplying a constant and controlled back-pressure to the first
stage, giving best possible conditions for homogenization

Breaking up clusters formed directly after homogenization as
shown in

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Transmission electron micrograph of milk fat globules

16000X
Bar = 500nm

66000X
Bar = 200nm

Non-homogenized

26000X
Bar = 5000nm
Homogenized

Product specific purposes of Homogenization

Market milk - creaming of fat is avoided & taste
improvement is achieved

Coffee cream, evaporated milk - avoids creaming &
improved the whitening power in coffee

Cheese milk - enhances the biochemical fat degradation
especially in mould ripened cheeses

Acidified dairy products - improvement in consistency &
taste, more stable acid gel and reduced whey syneresis

Milk mix beverages – improving body, good distribution of
stabilizer & additives

Ice cream mix – reduced buttering of fat during freezing
process

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Homogenizer in the processing line

In general, the homogenizer is placed upstream, i.e.
before the final heating section in a heat exchanger. In
most pasteurization plants for market milk production,
the homogenizer is usually placed after the second
regenerative section

In production of UHT milk, the homogenizer is generally
placed upstream in indirect systems but always
downstream in direct systems, i.e. on the aseptic side after
UHT treatment. In the latter case, the homogenizer is of
aseptic design

Factors affecting the fat globule size

Homogenization pressure

Stages of homogenization

Fat content & ratio of amount of surfactant
(usually protein) to amount of fat

Temperature

Proper operation of the homogenizer

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Homogenisation efficiency
1. Size distribution analysis

Size distribution curve

Homogenisation efficiency
2. Studies of the creaming rate
a. 1 000 ml is stored for 48 hours, after which the fat
content of the top 100 ml is determined, as well as the
fat content of the rest. Homogenization is reckoned to
be sufficient if 0.9 times the top fat content is less than
the bottom fat content
b. Creaming index by centrifugal method: 50 ml of milk is
centrifuged at 1000 rpm/5 min in 3 sets. Top 5 ml milk is
separated and fat content determined for both the
fractions :
Creaming index = (A-B)/B x 100, A = fat% of top, B =
fat% of bottom
Quality of homogenization: Excellent up to 10, Good 11-
20, Fair 21-30 & Bad over 30

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Homogenisation efficiency
3. Farrall index: efficiency in excellent when upon
microscopic examination 90% of the fat globules has
average diameter ≤ 2μ

Overall effect of Homogenization

Reduction of size of the fat globules accompanied by
four- to six-fold increase in the fat/plasma interfacial
surface area

Creation of new MFGMs and adsorption of disrupted
casein micelles on the new MFGMs

Slight increase in viscosity

Increased foaming properties

Increased digestibility

Whiter and more appetizing colour

More full-bodied flavour, and better mouthfeel

Reduction in heat stability

Increased in foaming properties

Somewhat increased sensitivity to light – sunlight and
fluorescent tubes – can result in “sunlight flavour”

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