Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 June 2009
The efficiencies of small capacity homogenizing valves of the high pressure type have been studied in relation to their design. The performance of a valve was strongly affected by the magnitude of the effective inlet diameter D0 of the seating for a given exit diameter D when D0/D > 0·5. The indications are that narrow mating faces situated such that D0/D → 1 should maximize performance. Milk fat globule dispersion varied regularly with a valve's face angle; optimum angles for maximum disruptive effect were about +35° and –30°. Perforated metal insets interposed between flat faces of a valve piece and its seat noticeably improved fat dispersion; reductions in mean globule diameter of up to 25% were obtained.
Variations in the sensitivity of different milks to homogenization were observed but avoided by appropriate experimental procedures.