Protein powder processed from leftover whey
For the last few months, EFLA Consulting Engineers has been working on an greenfield project with Heilsuprótein ehf. in Skagfjordur, Iceland. The scope of the project is a new plant in Sauðárkrókur that enables production of protein powder from whey, a by-product of cheese making in Sauðárkrókur and Akureyri.
All the whey is utilised and no food is wasted
This is a new product, as previously, the whey was disposed of. This is therefore also an important step towards eliminating food waste and environmental pollution in the area. The production process is a traditional drying of whey, with the plant's main units being pasteurization, the UF filter, a high-pressure pump and a C. E. Rogers style horizontal spray dryer.
The process utilizes hot water, steam and electricity heat generator as a source of heat. This heat generator, is designed by EFLA's industrial department in collaboration with the American companies Custom Fabricating and Repair of Marshfield, Wisconsin and Mora Minnesota. The UF fileter is manufactured by Complete Filtration Resources, also out of Marshfield, Wisconsin.
It is worth noting that EFLA designed a similar heat generator for Mjolkursamsalan in Selfoss, Iceland skimmed milk is production in 2015; thus, eliminating fuel oil as a source of energy and environmental pollution in the plant.
The protein will initially be sold abroad but will later be introduced to Icelandic consumers. The whey protein is used as component in food supplement mixtures for athletes.
EFLAS's varied involvement
In close collaboration with the management of Heilsuprotein ehg, EFLA is the overall coordinator of the project, and will be involved from start-to-finish. EFLA's responsibilities include design of the steam supply system, process piping, high Voltage transformer substation and the reception of WPC-60 from external sources, as well as system design and programming. EFLA will also handle the CE marking of the equipment.
The American company Custom Fabricating and Repair and Complete Filtration Resources are the technology providers and builders of the dryer and the UF system and other machinery that will be used in the production.
The two companies, with production facilities in Mora, Minnesota and Marshfield, Wisconsin, are a world known authority in the dairy industry, their history extends back to the 1800's
Production at the new facilities is expected to commence in mid-2017.
For the last few months, EFLA Consulting Engineers has been working on an greenfield project with Heilsuprótein ehf. in Skagfjordur, Iceland. The scope of the project is a new plant in Sauðárkrókur that enables production of protein powder from whey, a by-product of cheese making in Sauðárkrókur and Akureyri.