A homogenizer is a laboratory or industrial equipment used for the homogenization of various types of material. The purpose of Homogenizer is to make a mixture of two mutually non-soluble liquids the same throughout. This process is achieved by turning one of the liquids into a state of extremely small particles distributed uniformly throughout the other liquid. A typical example is the homogenization of milk, where the milk fat globules are reduced in size and distributed uniformly through the rest of the milk.
There are many different names for the same mechanical homogenizing equipment including Cell Lysol, Disperser, High Shear Mixer, Homogenizer, Polytron, Rotor Stator Homogenizer, Sonicator or Tissue Tearor. There are Different types of homogenizers used to implement for different purposes. Among these, the Tetra Pak Homogenizer 250 is the first of a new generation of homogenizers.
Types of Homogenizer:
There are different types of homogenizers used for different purposes. The most commonly used homogenizer includes,
1: Rotor/stator generators (or colloid mills)
2: High pressure (or piston pump) models
3: sonic disruptors.
Now, let us discuss the features and working process of Tetra Pak homogenizer.
1: High capacity at low rpm:
The new Tetra Pak Homogenizer 250 is a mid-range unit with a maximum capacity of 13,700 liters per hour at 160 bar and 200 rpm. It features with larger piston size and a longer stroke enabling the unit to manage a high throughput at relatively low rpm. The lower rpm results in less wear and tear on parts and less need for maintenance. High capacity at low rpm will reduce downtime for maintenance so uptime will be maximized.
2: Turntable parts cut costs for spares:
The cost of spare parts was 32% lower than for the competing homogenizer. The reason is that the 250 Tetra Pak model works at a lower rpm which reduces the rate of wear. But a big part of the savings comes due to the use of turnable parts.
These homogenizers have unique turnable wear parts. So when the valves and seats are beginning to show signs of wear, they can be taken out and turned around to use the other side, which is still in perfect condition.
There is another way to extend working life without changing a part. In the Tetra Pak Homogenizer 250, two-stage homogenization is used. When the first homogenizing head is becoming worn out, it can be taken out and switched around with the second homogenizing head which has been less exposed to wear. In this way, both homogenizing heads go on working for a longer period before they would require a replacement.
3: Faster service saves downtime:
The removable modular design incorporated into the Tetra Pak Homogenizer 250 model is an innovation in today’s market. Both the hydraulic unit and the cooling unit can be removed easily by disconnecting a few pipes. This makes it more convenient and faster for service personnel to maintain these units or gain access. Time is money, particularly in a highly automated plant operating at high capacity. With removable modules, downtime can be kept to a minimum.
Condition monitoring, turnable parts, and removable modules keep the cost of spare parts and maintenance to a minimum. Also, the efficiency of the new homogenizer reduces operational costs for energy and water. Additionally, Sensors are built into the design which will help in monitoring the critical parts of the process by the homogenizer. Vibration and pressure trend analyses are used to pinpoint the optimal time to perform maintenance such as turning or replacing wear parts. So the operator knows exactly when to perform maintenance.
