Membrane technology creates solutions for waste management
Members are finding many new applications in the food and dairy industries, particularly in waste management. Two of the most significant are in brine and salt whey management. Brine and salt whey are two of the largest potential chloride contributors in the average cheese plant.

Disposal a typical brine when it becomes contaminated can be an almost impossible task. Membrane System Specialists has solved this problem by developing a proven, effective purifying system, the Mem-BrineTM, which eliminates the need to dump the system.

Presalting also has an impact on control of chloride disposal. Experience has shown that some brine systems grow in capacity, some stay about the same, and some shrink. The amount of presalting appears to be the key to understanding this situation.

The more presalting that is done, the less "wheying" of the brine that occurs, and the less the system grows. The system also grows inrelationship to the amount of sudsing (the fatty, scummy foam that builds up on contaminated brine) that occurs on the cheese and equipment. With the use of a membrane filtration system, the foam and scum on the surface of the brine is reduced dramatically and, consequently, excess rinsing is not required.

The other big contributor of difficult-to-dispose-of chloride is salt whey. The main problem with salt whey is that along with the large amount of salt is a great deal of BOD. By separating the BOD and the salt with Membrane System Specialists' nanofiltration system, the organic solids can be processed with the whey, while the salt can be disposed of in another fashion, such as condensed reprocessing.

These are just two of the ways Membrane System Specialists is using membrane technology to solve waste disposal problems. Other areas include: detergent solution purification systems, total waste processing systems using membranes so that the waste products can be packaged and sold as by-products, and soft water. As environmental standards are becoming more stringent, Membrane System Specialists has become the leader in development of technology to help make these standards easy to incorporate into plant operations.

Product Notes
It's element-ary
True Protein vs Total Protein
Total protein in a milk sample is determined by the Kjeldahl nitrogen procedure, which analyzes for total nitrogen in the sample, regardless of its source. This calculation method assumes that all nitrogen is from protein sources. However, on average, 5 - 6 percent of the nitrogen is from non-protein sources. Therefore, while percentage total protein reported this way is reasonably accurate, it is always high to some degree, depending on the actual amount of non-protein nitrogen present. True protein is a more accurate measure of the protein in milk because it takes into account the amount of non-protein nitrogen present. To arrive at a true protein figure, the sample is analyzed for the amount of non-protein nitrogen present. This amount is subtracted from the amount of nitrogen present in the Kjeldahl analysis, resulting in a more accurate reflection of the percentage of protein in the milk; it also is more indicative of the amount of protein available for cheesemaking, since non-protein nitrogen does not make cheese.

Ask the Doctor
Expanded research capabilities will give clients the edge in competition

Membrane System Specialists is actively working in partnership with clients and membrane filtration system users to improve production opportunities and to maximize the efficient and effective use of membrane filtration technology in the food industry. Our expanded research efforts, headed by Dr. Bala Raghunath, will focus on projects that provide reliable data and analysis for a variety of plant operations. Research is intended to give our customers a competitive edge in maximizing their use of available technology to increase overall profitability. Among the projects underway are continued research on RO permeate BOD, as well as the effects of conductivity on BOD. Result summaries of this research and upcoming research will be published in this column in future issues of the newsletter.

We're interested in hearing about issues you think we would be exploring. Call Membrane System Specialists at 715-421-2333 if you have suggestions for future research projects.

Emerging Applications
Pilot testing is an effective way to explore ways to increase profitability in your business through new applications using membrane filtration technology. This column provides brief highlights of emerging applications research.

Concentration of turkey broth - Testing was done using a reverse osmosis element. Initial feed solids were approximately 3 percent total solids; Using the reverse osmosis element, concentration of 21 percent total solids was achieved. Testing was done at a temperature of 110 - 120OF.

Concentration of ricotta whey - Both ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis concentration of ricotta whey were tested in this study. UF and RO concentration to 20 percent total solids was achieved and the resulting product was tested in a variety of applications. Preliminary results show promising uses as an additive to create increased yield and to create a better-tasting product.

MSS expands its presence in Canadian market
Membrane System Specialists has expanded its presence in the Canadian market with the addition of MSS-Canada, headed by Graham Malcolm and Ishwar Saxena. Graham's experience in the food and dairy industries was firmly-grounded in the food ingredients company started by his family, Malcolm Food Specialties. Ishwar established his strong reputation in the industry as technical director for Astro Dairy Products. Their familiarity with the Canadian market, solid understanding of the food and dairy processing industries, and familiarity with the products and services offered by Membrane System Specialists will give our Canadian clients ready access to the latest membrane technology available.

Profile - Bala Raghunath
Dr. Bala Raghunath, Membrane System Specialists' director of engineering and development, runs a finely-tuned department.

An avid researcher, he has added depth to the company's engineering and development department. His goal is to build on Membrane System Specialists' already impressive history of developing and introducing membrane filtration technology to the food and dairy industries. (Membrane System Specialists was the creator of the industry's first brine purification and caustic recovery systems)

An extremely efficient and methodical engineer, during the past year Dr. Raghunath has streamlined internal processes and maximized use of computer technology, allowing the department to produce highly accurate budgetary quotes in record time.

In addition to the research and development work he does in the office, Dr. Raghunath also frequently accompanies sales agents to discuss with client's their technical needs. Armed with a first-hand understanding of their expectations, he can ensure that the engineering department designs and sizes systems that are truly customized.

Look for two articles scheduled for publication in the Journal of Membrane Science co-authored by Dr. Raghunath: "Effect of Mass Transfer Boundary Layer Resistance in the Pervaporation of Dilute Organics" and "General Treatment of Liquid Phase Boundary Layer Resistance in the Pervaporation of Dilute Aqueous Organics Through Tubular Membranes."

Smart-Touch Computer Monitor Simplifies System Operation
A feature of some Membrane System Specialists' systems is a control panel utilizing a touch sensitive screen with prompted responses.

The highly-automated Smart Touch computer panel provides an extensive step-by-step response program, simplifying operator involvement and saving time. For operators who want more hands-on access to the system, the panel allows users to override pre-selected responses and add customized responses. Translation into other languages is also possible.

The compact Smart Touch provides a fast, easy, flexible solution, replacing panel operators including push buttons, pilot lights thumbwheels, LED desplays, and panel meters.

Display types include bar graphs, trend graphs, data displays, animated symbols, time display, alarm messages and display character strings. Graphics and low level diagnostics and alarms can also be added to the system.

If you would like more information about the Smart Touch, call Membrane System Specialists at 715-421-2333.

Back to Archived Newsletters