Dairy centrifuges
Separators for Milk and Whey Skimming
GEA offers a comprehensive centrifuge portfolio for the skimming and standardization of milk and whey from various mammals such as cows, goats, sheep, buffaloes and camels.
To this day, milk and whey skimming is the core task for dairy processing companies. Here, high expectations are placed on the centrifugal separator in terms of separation efficiency, flexibility, economy, cleanability and availability.
Our unparalleled selection of bowl formats, pioneering features and different product lines for different requirements ensure the optimum solution for each of your requirements. This includes not only the centrifuge itself, but also its precise integration into your production environment by our process specialists.
Your benefits from choosing a GEA skimming separator
- Optimum availability and productivity:
Robust design
Hydrohermetic design – no mechanical seals
Condition monitoring of relevant parameters - High and consistent product quality:
Hygienic design (compliant with EHEDG and 3-A)
Gentle product treatment with GEA hydrosoft feed system - Features & options (depending on model) for resource-efficient processing:
Low water consumption thanks to GEA Advanced Water Supply
Low energy consumption due to integrated direct drive
Minimized product losses with GEA proplus - Highest economy:
Predictable maintenance costs
Low operating costs
Milk skimming separator series MSI
Resource efficient solution
As one of our most resource-efficient solutions, our Dairy Separator Series MSI carries the Add Better label.*
The GEA Advanced Water Supply optimization concept is an example of how further savings potential can be unlocked at any point within the process chain. In this case, it is the smart reduction of the consumption of cooling and operating water without any negative impact on performance.
With optimized control matched to the technical conditions, it is possible to optimize the consumption of operating water for a self-cleaning centrifuge as well as the cooling water for the direct drive, the hood, and the solids catcher, resulting in water savings of minimum 48%.
*The Add Better label relates to the serial product Dairy Separator MSI, released in November 2023.
The comparison refers to its predecessor model, the MSI series without GEA Advanced Water Supply.
Treat your product gently
GEA hydrosoft feed system
The stationary feed pipe allows the product to flow into the centrally located bore of the rotating distributor. A feed system without a hydrohermetic disk at the end of feed pipe would create high shear forces, which would destroy the fat globules, i.e. they become smaller. The smaller the fat globules are, the more difficult it is for the centrifuge to separate them from the skim milk, resulting in fat losses via the skim milk discharge.
GEA skimming separators with hydrosoft feed system feature a hydrohermetic disk at the end of the feed pipe, which prevents air contact of the product, eliminating friction between the ambient air and the liquid. Thus, the fat globules are not destroyed and can be properly separated from the skim milk.
Achieve higher product yield with GEA proplus
GEA milk skimming separators can optionally be equipped with the proplus system. With proplus, it is possible to extend the ejection intervals during production up to six-fold compared to conventional skimming separators.
The result is a significant boost in product yield from the milk used by consistently minimizing losses by up to 75%. In addition, costs for waste water, maintenance and wear are reduced. GEA proplus offers two options to make milk processing more profitable and sustainable: a new installation of GEA separators with integrated proplus system, or specific retrofitting of systems which are already installed.
Learn more on the GEA proplus product page and calculate your individual savings
With GEA proplus you can obtain up to 3 times less shots, up to 3 times less sludge volume, a high reduction of product waste and you can save up to 28% water.
GEA CleanSkimmer
GEA CleanSkimmer for whey skimming
New range of skimming centrifuges in special design
The heart of a whey processing line is usually a skimming separator for the removal of fat from whey. These centrifuges can only process a limited amount of cheese fines and must be complemented by an upstream clarifying separator to maintain a good skimming performance.
When feed conditions vary regularly, the new GEA CleanSkimmer gets into the game, which is not only suitable for whey, but is also the first choice for milk with an increased non-milk solids content. This specially designed centrifuge is capable of satisfactory skimming efficiency even at increased cheese fines loads without the need of a clarifying separator upfront.
GEA’s new “workhorse” thus not only facilitates the processing of whey, but also the skimming of milk with a higher content of non-milk solids content.
Increased fat recovery even at higher cheese fines loads
For cheese manufacturers, processing residual whey is no longer an option but a mandatory task if they not only want to avoid high disposal costs but also strive to complete their portfolio with high-value products such as whey protein isolates.
And there are many good reasons for removing the remaining fat from the whey as completely as possible.
High fat recovery means
- more additional value stream
- better, low-fat protein concentrate or isolate
- longer operating time and better performance of downstream equipment, such as membrane filtration
Especially when different types of whey need to be processed and when a higher cheese fines concentration may only be expected from time to time, the investment of a premium clarifier and skimmer combination might be difficult to justify.
In this case, the newly designed GEA CleanSkimmer is just the perfect match, delivering satisfactory skimming results while being tolerant against increased solids loads.
Designed for stable skimming efficiency
A special bowl design prevents solids with a concentration of up to 0.2 % vol. from clogging the centrifuge. The GEA CleanSkimmer can thus be operated at a reasonable discharge frequency while maintaining a stable skimming efficiency of up to 0.06 % fat in skim whey/milk.
Product portfolio
| Type | Capacity |
|---|---|
| GEA CleanSkimmer 100 | up to 15,000 l/h |
| GEA CleanSkimmer 140 | up to 20,000 l/h |
| GEA CleanSkimmer 180 | up to 25,000 l/h |
| GEA CleanSkimmer 230 | up to 30,000 l/h |
| GEA CleanSkimmer 350 | up to 35,000 l/h |
| GEA CleanSkimmer 400 | up to 40,000 l/h |
| GEA CleanSkimmer 500 | up to 50,000 l/h |
| GEA CleanSkimmer 600 | up to 55,000 l/h |
| GEA CleanSkimmer 700 | up to 60,000 l/h |
Cold Milk
Cold milk separation by GEA procool
Cold Milk Separator
GEA procool
Dairies, particularly in the USA, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand, are increasingly using cold milk separation for skimming purposes.
Separating milk in this way allows dairies to comply with their customers’ quality requirements for products such as milk powder and drinking milk. Cold milk separation with GEAprocool satisfies this requirement both in terms of the physical and microbiological properties of these products. procool also stands for a new and permanent optimum efficiency throughout the entire process of cold milk separation.Minimum Energy Input, Maximum Product Quality
procool has been developed with the benefit of over 125 years of experience in the milk processing industry and technology leadership in mechanical separation technology. procool fully develops the overall benefits of cold milk separation:
- Improvement of the bacteriological nature of the end product by cold treatment of the raw milk
- Energy savings as there is no requirement for heat
- Reduction in denaturing of proteins (WPNI ≥ 6mg N/g)
- Production of specific products according to the customer‘s specifications
Machine Portfolio
Technical Features & CapacitiesGEA offers separators with flat belt drive (types MSE, GEA ecocream and GEA milk Skimmer pro) and integrated direct drive (type MSI). Our self-cleaning separators are for applications that require continuous processing. Separation takes place in the disk stack; the solids are separated out in the solids holding space.Capacities
Type MSE:
- Skimming: 10,000 - 60,000 l/h
- Cold milk skimming: 3000 l/h - 50,000 l/h
- Standardizing: 10,000 - 75,000 l/h
- Cream concentration: 2000 - 25,000 l/h
- Butter oil concentration and polishing: 1000 - 21,000 l/h
Type GEA ecocream:
- Skimming: 3000 - 10,000 l/h
- Standardizing: 3000-15,000 l/h
- Cream concentration: 1000 - 2000 l/h
Type GEA milk Skimmer pro:
- Skimming: 2000 l/h - 5000 l/h
- Standardizing: 2000 l/h - 7500 l/h
Type MSI:
- Skimming: 10,000 - 60,000 l/h
- Standardizing: 10,000 - 75,000 l/h
- Cream concentration: 2000 - 25,000 l/h
Standard scope of delivery
Types MSE / MSI / ecocream:
- 3-phase AC motor
- Foundation frame
- Special tools
- Basic spare parts
- Gear oil
Additionally for type MSI:
- Motor control (MCC)
- GEA condition monitoring for pro-active maintenance
Additionally for type ecocream:
- GEA proplus system for extending ejection intervals
Type
GEA milk Skimmer pro:
- GEA hydrostop system:
- Automatic solids discharge at full bowl speed and open feed. This makes it possible to integrate the machine in the CIP process.
Commissioning spare parts:
- Lubricants and gaskets for commissioning
- Set of bowl top gaskets
- Flat belt
- Initial filling of lubrication oil
Special tools
- Set of special tools for dismantling and assembling of the machine.
Options
Types MSE / MSI / ecocream:
- Solids tank or solids discharge
- Feed flow control
- Back pressure control
- Cream flow control
- Process control (PLC)
Additionally for types MSE / MSI:
- GEA standomat for cream fat content and milk standardizing
- GEA proplus system for extending ejection intervals
Additionally for type MSE:
- Motor control (MCC)
- GEA condition monitoring for pro-active maintenance
Additionally for type MSE (cold milk):
- Preheater for adjustment of the product temperature
Type milk Skimmer pro:
Valves:
- Set of manual valves and indicating instruments for the adjustment of feed, skim milk discharge pressure and cream flow as well as the continuous standardizing of milk and cream fat content. Milk cleaning (complete re-blending) and full skimming are possible as well.
Control system:
- Manual motor starter
Downloads
Related Products
GEA proplus
GEA proplus extends the ejection intervals of milk separators from 20 – 30 minutes to up to 90 minutes. This ensures added value, a significant increase in protein yields from the quantity of milk used and a clear reduction in fresh water consumption and waste water creation.
Automation & Controls Separation
Even the best centrifuges cannot function optimally if they are not partnered with control systems of equal quality. For their range of separators and decanters, GEA offers standardized as well as tailor-made solutions for machine automation with many features to meet customer requirements.
Service Products
GEA EffiClean
EffiClean disk cleaning for centrifuges in mineral oil applications
International Repair Network for GEA Centrifuges
Corrective repairs for your GEA separators and decanters
Remote FATs for GEA Centrifuges
Is a FAT (Factory Acceptance Test) of your centrifuge not possible on site due to current travel restrictions, a very tight schedule or other urgent reasons? Are you generally looking for ways to make business processes more digital and to sustainably reduce costs and time?
Here, too, we are at your side with the professional quality you are accu...
Related Videos
Direct drive. Direct Impact. Separators with exchangeable direct drives.
GEA EngySpeed – for resource-saving milk skimming
Let’s get connected – digital solutions for GEA centrifuges
GEA Insights
From milking bucket to robot: 100 years of farm innovation at GEA
For more than 100 years, GEA has developed technologies for dairy farming – from the first bucket milking machines to autonomous, digitally connected systems. These innovations have fundamentally transformed dairy farming: away from labor-intensive routines, toward greater productivity, animal welfare and more efficient day-to-day operations.
