Apparatus for pasteurizing milk for feeding to calves
The present invention is directed to a system and method for pasteurizing milk and colostrum for feeding to calves. The system includes a vat for storing milk or colostrum, a circulation pump and piping system, a heat exchanger for adjusting and/or maintaining milk temperature, and an ultraviolet light pasteurizing unit (“UV reactor”) that treats the milk without damaging important immunoglobulins.
1. A milk treatment system comprising:
an ultraviolet milk treatment device having an inlet and an outlet;
a storage vat in fluid communication with the ultraviolet milk pasteurizing treatment device;
a pump in fluid communication with the storage vat;
a milk heat exchanger in which the milk treatment device is at least partially disposed;
and
a controller in communication with the pump and heat exchanger.
2. The milk treatment system of claim 1 , wherein the ultraviolet milk treatment device comprises:
a plurality of ultraviolet milk treatment reactors.
3. The milk treatment system of claim 1 , and further comprising:
a mobile platform supporting the storage vat.
4. The milk treatment system of claim 1 , and further comprising:
a mobile platform supporting the milk vat; and
the controller comprises: a milk temperature adjuster.
5. The milk treatment system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is in monitoring communication with the ultraviolet milk treatment device.
6. The milk treatment system of claim 1 , and further comprising:
a milk quantity sensor in fluid communication with the storage vat and the controller.
7. The milk treatment system of claim 1 , wherein the controller includes an operator interface for adjusting the controller.
8. The milk treatment system of claim 1 , wherein the controller comprises:
a pasteurization start timer.
9. A milk treatment system comprising:
an ultraviolet milk treatment device having an inlet and an outlet;
a storage vat in fluid communication with the ultraviolet milk treatment device;
a pump in fluid communication with the storage vat;
a milk heat exchanger, wherein the milk heat exchanger comprises a water jacket surrounding at least a portion of the ultraviolet milk treatment device; and
a controller in communication with the pump and heat exchanger.
10. A milk treatment system comprising:
an ultraviolet milk treatment device having an inlet and an outlet;
a storage vat in fluid communication with the ultraviolet milk treatment device;
a pump in fluid communication with the storage vat;
a milk heat exchanger; and
a controller in communication with the pump and heat exchanger, wherein the controller adjusts the milk heat exchanger to a milk temperature range of about 85° F. and not to exceed about 120° F.
11. A milk treatment system comprising:
an ultraviolet milk treatment device having an inlet and an outlet;
a storage vat in fluid communication with the ultraviolet milk treatment device;
a pump in fluid communication with the storage vat;
a milk heat exchanger; and
a controller in communication with the pump and the milk heat exchanger to maintain milk in the ultraviolet milk treatment device for a milk exposure time of between about 15 minutes and about 60 minutes.
12. The milk treatment system of claim 11 , wherein the milk exposure time is between about 30 minutes and about 45 minutes.