SPRING/SUMMER 1997

MSS On-Farm UF Process Gets Patent Pending Approval

Membrane System Specialists, Inc. process for on-farm filtration has passed the first phase in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office patent application process. On-Farm ultrafiltration incorporates technology that until now was only available at the commercial plant level. This will give owners of large farms a unique opportunity to internalize a key element in their milk production processes.

From Cows to Consumers, MSS On-Farm Ultrafiltration Process Creates New Market Opportunities

A new partnership between Membrane System Specialists, Inc., milk broker T.C. Jacoby & Company, Inc., and Pecos Dairy Investment Group, LLC, will be bringing high quality ultrafiltered milk to cheese and dairy plants across the country.

The new company, North American Milk Products, LLC (NAMP), will identify potential dairy farms, provide on-farm ultrafiltration technology under a turnkey operation, and facilitate product distribution, both broadening milk marketing opportunities and creating new suppliers for its customers in the dairy industry.

The patent-pending MSS On-Farm ultrafiltration process has met the stringent U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidelines for ultrafiltering raw whole milk on-farm.

Cheese and dairy plants will now be able to use the ultrafiltered milk for cheesemaking under the Alternative Make Procedures, a USDA standard that defines the use of ultrafiltered milk. The ultrafiltered milk can also be used for other milk applications and should be labeled ultrafiltered whole milk (lactose and mineral reduced).

"The focus of NAMP is to identify large, efficient dairy operations, facilitate the contration of milk 3:1, and then deliver the milk to milk-short markets," said David Hibbard, president of Membrane System Specialists, Inc. He shares the enthusiasm of both MSS and NAMP regarding the potential applications for the ultrafiltered milk and the benefits that will be reaped by MSS customers.

The capabilities of on-farm ultrafiltration have been proven through extensive pilot studies and customer response has already exceeded the companies’ expectations. If you’d like more information about using ultrafiltered milk in your plant production, please call MSS at (715) 421-2333 or e-mail us at membrane@wctc.net. You can also reach T.C. Jacoby & Company, Inc. (Ted or Paul) at tedjr@jacoby.com or by calling (800) 325-9556 ext. 102.

Secondairy® is a Successful First

Membrane System Specialists, Inc. first Secondairy® system is up and running. The patented process provides a profitable waste reduction program that offers dairy plants an alternative to traditional waste management systems.

The waste stream carries product which is lost during rinses, clean-in-place procedures, and spills to nearby enclosed wet wells. From there, the waste is piped into holding tanks. When the tanks reach an equalization level, product flows into a mixing tank, where it is flocculated. Gravity pipes the flocculated suspended solids into a Dissolved Air Floatation (DAF) unit. The DAF system adds air to the flocculated particles causing them to coagulate and rise, while dirt, sand, and sediment sink and are filtered at the bottom. After this occurs, the floated-sludge scoop collects the coagulated solids or sludge and transports it into a small holding tank, while the water is piped to a reverse osmosis unit. Here, remaining soluble solids are extracted from the water and returned to the sludge tank. Once the tank is full, the sludge is trucked away and can be sold as animal feed or be land applied.

Secondairy® not only produces a marketable by-product, it also requires minimal personnel involvement, is cost effective to operate, and is safe for the environment.

Industry Withstands "Blistering" Effects

We all know what causes blisters, right? Of course, as long as they’re on our toes or hands. But blisters on a membrane? Sound preposterous, doesn't it?

Well, we all got a wake-up call late in ’95 when the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) found blisters in the glue lines of numerous RO and Nano membranes in plants around the country. To add to the mystery, there was no pattern of product, CIP conditions, membrane or system supplier. So why were historically conscientious processors all of a sudden losing USDA status?

Enter super sleuth Warren Clark at ADPI. Hearing the outcry from this and other discrepancies, Warren and his staff assembled industry personnel and USDA officials in Chicago, just days before Christmas, to hear and learn about what was going on. This is good news for an industry that has enjoyed good relationships with its regulatory agencies.

Why were plants losing status at an alarming rate? It seems we are all accountable to someone, and regulators are no exception. In this case, potential adverse media coverage and the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) were being critical of the USDA and its inspection techniques. Doesn’t make sense of those of us who realize that price and quality of food in the USA is the best in the world, but consumer power is unrelenting.

A new defect classification system was adopted, and to make short the impact, blisters in the glue lines of membranes became an "A" defect, causing loss of status.

A neat aspect of our system is that solutions can be found for almost any annoying problem, and blisters were no exception. Manufacturers and suppliers quickly responded to the call for assistance solving this dilemna.

3A standards have been developed over the years, with little recent attention paid to updating. Consequently, regulators have been using standards that best describe welds and stainless steel surfaces, not membranes.

It seemed logical that standards specific to membrane surfaces should be developed. Under Tom Gilmore’s guidance (Tom is the 3A committee’s secretary), suppliers of systems, membrane manufacturers, and end users gathered to determine what type of standards could be developed that ensured food safety, while at the same time not jeopardizing processor’s ability to stay in business.

An amended standard, in fact, was possible. It allows for some blistering, except where blisters have ruptured, leaving an uncleanable surface. The operative words in the proposed standards are "blisters may be present on either axial or side glue seams provided that no visible soil remains entrained in or around them after a spiral wound module has been cleaned in place according to procedures outlined in appendix F of 3A accepted practices for the sanitary construction, installation, and cleaning of cross flow membrane processing systems for milk and milk procedures referred to hereafter as 3A practice 610-00 as amended."

It seems disaster has been averted due to the quick response and cooperation of lots of interested parties. Job well done, everyone!

Planning to Meet Your Needs

Sometimes "behind the scenes" activity has the most meaningful impact on our businesses. At MSS, we dedicate planning time annually to ensure that our full team carries forward a common vision and to give us an opportunity to review comments and concerns we have heard from our customers throughout the year. Issues that are important to you become the focus of our planning efforts.

MSS’ 1997 sales meeting was an energizing way to start the new year. The four day event familiarized MSS representatives and sales agents with products, services, and new developments. It was also a chance for staff and sales agents to meet, exchange thoughts, consolidate ideas, and create a sales strategy.

A resource manual, including a compilation of material from MSS’s major suppliers and pricing for both parts and services, was distributed during the meeting to assist MSS representatives in responding to questions and concerns from customers.

We appreciate all the suggestions and comments you send our way. MSS has continued to grow stronger every year because of our valued customer partnership.s

Profile

Since joining the MSS team full-time in March of 1996, Jay Gaba has continuously demonstrated his aptitude for problem-solving.

As the company’s Process Controls Technician, Jay’s expertise is called on daily to determine and order components, design and hard-wire panels, calibrate instruments, inspect electrical contractor’s work to ensure it meets MSS standards, and assist with system development.

Eventually, Jay hopes to expand the scope of his position to include on-site field maintenance, system trouble-shooting, programming analysis, and system start-ups.

According to Jay, one of the benefits of working for MSS is the diveristy of experiences it offers. "There’s never a chance to become bored because I wear many hats," he said.

Jay received degrees in Instrumentation Technology and Electrical Power Technology from Mid-State Technical College in Wisconsin Rapids. During that time, he also worked as an intern for MSS.

MSS Gets Make-Over

Get ready for our new look! After more than 10 years of continuous progress, it was time for a change. However, even though the "package" is different, you’ll still receive the same great products and quality service you’ve come to expect from Membrane System Specialists, Inc.

Since MSS’s inception in 1985, we’ve experienced significant growth in company size, sales, service capabilities, and technological developments. It seemed only logical that our image reflect the changes that have taken place in our company.

Our goal was to update our look to encompass both our proud past and our futuristic vision. You’ll notice a cleaner, refreshed membrane logo, bold new lettering that puts the emphasis on "MSS," and accompanying subtle color changes in our stationery.