Removal of UHT dairy fouling — An efficient cleaning process by optimizing the rate controlling alkaline cleaning step
A rigid mineral-based deposit, termed ultra-high temperature (UHT) fouling, is formed on heat exchanger surfaces during milk processing at 140 °C. The removal of this type of fouling is for the first time assessed using a laser triangulation sensor and a camera, to measure changes in the thickness and to visualize structural changes in the fouling in situ. The process was monitored during both the