Concentration of dairy products using a thin film spinning cone evaporator

Abstract A new thin film concentration device based on a spinning cone evaporator has been specifically designed to process viscous products at low evaporation temperatures. Its effectiveness was evaluated for the concentration of skim milk and a whey protein concentrate with 80% (w/w) protein on a dry-matter basis (WPC80). The concentrates were dried and the powders were compared to standard products obtained with conventional technology. WPC80 at 259.1 g kg −1 total solids (TS) and preconcentrated skim milk at 404.9 g kg −1  TS were concentrated up to 425.4 and 570.5 g kg −1  TS, respectively. No noticeable protein denaturation was evidenced on either concentrate. Particle size and bulk density were higher in the WPC80 powder than a standard product. Although the skim milk concentrate was highly viscous, drying was possible by applying a higher pressure at the inlet of the dryer. The resulting powder had physical properties (density, particle size, solubility) comparable to those of a standard product.