Bulk tank

The bulk milk cooling tank is an important piece of dairy farm equipment.

It is usually made of stainless steel and used every day to store the raw milk on the farm in good condition.

The cost can vary considerably, depending on manufacturing norms and whether a new or second hand tank is purchased.

The built-in tilt of the inner tank ensures that even the last drop of milk will eventually flow to the outlet.

Non standard outlets make the milk collection process difficult, as the operator needs to adapt to each different standard/diameter.

There are two primary methods of cooling milk entering the bulk tank, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.

The rapid cooling during milking requires very large refrigeration compressors and condenser radiators to quickly expel heat from the milk, and is better suited for very large farming operations where three-phase electric power is available to operate the high-power cooling system.

Ice bank bulk tanks are better suited for small family farm operations where only single-phase electric power is available, and high-power cooling systems would be either too expensive or difficult to install.

For energy savings and quality reasons it is advisable to pre-cool the milk before it enters the tank using a plate or a tube cooler (shell and tube heat exchanger) supplied with chilled water from the well water, the ice builder or the condensing unit.

The cleaning system operates similar to a consumer dishwasher and consists of one or more free-spinning high-pressure spray nozzles with tangential jets, with the spray nozzle mounted on the end of a flexible whip suspended down into the center of the interior.

Because no physical scrubbing occurs with automatic wash systems, the cleanser relies on surfactants and detergents to dissolve the fats left on the interior of the tank by the cream in the milk.

It is not capable of cleaning the exterior of the tank, and it does not do a good job of washing around the cover seals.

Substantial reductions in running costs can be made when an ice builder is used in conjunction with off-peak electricity.

Pre-cooling milk using a plate or a tube cooler supplied with mains or well water can also reduce costs and add to the cooling capacity of the tank.

They should be installed in a way which allows them to draw in and discharge adequate quantities of air for efficient operation.

Because of the hygienical finishing of the inner and outer side of the tanks, almost any fluid can be stored: water, fruit juices, honey, wine, beer, ink, paint, cosmetics, aromatic food-additives, bacterial cultures, cleansers, oil, or blood.