How Inline Brix Refractometer Work in the Dairy Industry

Inline brix refractometers play a number of important roles in the dairy industry:

1. Raw material control in the early stage of production

In the initial stage of dairy production, it is crucial to control the quality of raw milk. Inline brix refractometer can quickly and accurately measure key indicators such as total solid content and milk fat content in raw milk. This enables dairy companies to screen out milk sources that meet quality standards in a timely manner when receiving raw milk. For example, by testing the total solid content, the nutritional value and potential processing performance of raw milk can be evaluated. If the total solid content is too low, it may mean that the raw milk is insufficient in nutrients, and the production process needs to be further adjusted or a better quality milk source needs to be found. At the same time, the determination of milk fat content helps companies to classify and process according to the needs of different products, providing a precise raw material basis for the production of different types of dairy products such as high-fat and low-fat.

2. Production process monitoring

1). Pasteurization link
During the pasteurization process, the inline brix refractometer can monitor the concentration changes of milk in real time. Since pasteurization will have a certain impact on the composition of milk, through the monitoring of the inline brix refractometer, the sterilization parameters can be adjusted in time to ensure the sterilization effect while minimizing the damage to the nutritional components of milk. For example, if it is found that the milk concentration changes significantly during the sterilization process, the sterilization temperature or time may need to be adjusted to ensure product quality.
2). Evaporation and concentration link
In dairy product production, such as milk powder production, milk needs to be evaporated and concentrated. The inline brix refractometer can accurately monitor the concentration changes of milk during the evaporation process. The operator can adjust the operating parameters of the evaporation equipment according to the concentration data to ensure that the milk reaches the appropriate concentration. This is crucial for controlling the particle size, solubility and other characteristics of milk powder. For example, when the concentration reaches a certain value, the evaporation temperature is lowered to prevent excessive concentration from causing the quality of milk powder to deteriorate.
3). Fermentation stage
For fermented dairy products such as yogurt, the inline brix refractometer can monitor the concentration changes of milk during the fermentation process. By understanding the degree of lactose conversion to lactic acid in real time, the progress of fermentation can be accurately judged and the optimal fermentation endpoint can be determined. This helps to ensure the stability of the taste and quality of yogurt. For example, when the inline brix refractometer shows that the lactose concentration has dropped to a certain level, it indicates that the fermentation is nearly complete and the fermentation process can be stopped.

3. Finished product quality testing

1). Composition analysis
The inline brix refractometer can quickly test the total solids content, milk fat content, protein content, etc. of finished dairy products. This helps ensure that the product meets quality standards and also provides accurate data for the product’s nutritional label. For example, by testing the total solids content, the solubility and taste of the milk powder can be determined; testing the milk fat content can provide consumers with information about the fat content of the product.
2). Quality control
In the finished product testing link, the inline brix refractometer can detect unqualified products in a timely manner. If the concentration of a batch of dairy products does not meet the standards, it may mean that there are problems in the production process, such as fluctuations in the quality of raw milk and unstable production processes. Through online testing, measures can be taken quickly to deal with it and prevent unqualified products from entering the market. For example, for milk powder with a low concentration, reprocessing or adjustment of the production process can be carried out to improve product quality.

4. Production management and optimization

1). Data support
The concentration data accumulated by inline brix refractometer over a long period of time can provide an important reference for the production management of dairy companies. By analyzing these data, we can understand the quality differences of raw milk in different batches, the concentration change trend in the production process, etc., so as to formulate more scientific and reasonable production plans and quality control strategies. For example, according to historical data, the acquisition standards of raw milk can be adjusted, the production process parameters can be optimized, and the production efficiency and product quality can be improved.
2). Automated control
Inline brix refractometer can be integrated with the control system of production equipment to realize automated production. The operating parameters of production equipment are automatically adjusted according to the concentration data, reducing manual intervention and improving the stability and consistency of production. For example, in the evaporation and concentration link, when the concentration reaches the set value, the evaporation equipment is automatically stopped to avoid over-concentration.