A Study of a Cream Separator Bowl Which is Cleaned by Centrifugal Flushing

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Abstract
The cream separator bowl studied has a specially constructed water distributor which allows cleaning solns. to flow from the supply tank to all parts of the bowl while it is in motion. In the shell of the bowl there are 3 discharge ports, equal distance apart, and each one is closed by a valve which is held in place by a steel spring. The tension in the spring is overcome by the centrifugal force so that the ports are tightly closed when the bowl revolves at its normal speed. When the speed slackens to 1/2 that of normal, the valves open and cleaning solns. can be forced through with turbulent cleaning action. The bowl of this machine can be washed easily and quickly without disassembling it. This bowl was cleaned remarkably well by the flushing action of the washing solns., in spite of the fact that it was necessary to use a mild detergent of low alkalinity because of the aluminum bowl and some of its parts. The supply tank and the spout assembly must be washed after each separation. This separator was operated for periods of 1-2 weeks with 2 separations daily and was successfully cleaned by centrifugal flushing. In the great majority of cases, there was no significant contamination from one separation to the next, as indicated by the standard plate count of the cream and skimmilk. The amt. of fat in the skimmilk averaged 0.08%, as detd. by the American Association method, and this compares favorably with results obtained with a factory separator.