Abstract:
Fouling of heat transfer surfaces during milk processing is a major problem for dairy industry.
In the current work, the nature and extent of milk fouling with and without the addition of Bacillus
stearothermophilus in the feed solutions have been studied. A fouling detection system based
on electric conductivity measurements has been used. The coresponding thermal resistance of
the deposit layer has also been worked out. The fouling deposits have been analysed visually as
well as with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results show significant variation in the
fouling patterns with and without the large presence of bacteria in the flowing medium.