A YOGHURT TANK, OFTEN REFERRED TO AS A YOGHURT FERMENTATION TANK OR YOGHURT PROCESSING TANK, IS A KEY PIECE OF EQUIPMENT USED IN THE PRODUCTION OF YOGHURT. IT IS DESIGNED TO CREATE THE OPTIMAL CONDITIONS FOR THE FERMENTATION OF MILK INTO YOGHURT.
KEY FEATURES
TEMPERATURE CONTROL
YOGHURT PRODUCTION REQUIRES PRECISE TEMPERATURE REGULATION. THE TANK TYPICALLY HAS BUILT-IN HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEMS TO MAINTAIN THE IDEAL TEMPERATURE FOR THE BACTERIAL CULTURES TO FERMENT THE MILK (USUALLY AROUND 43 ÂșC).
MIXING MECHANISM
SOME TANKS HAVE AN INTERNAL AGITATOR OR MIXING MECHANISM TO ENSURE THE MILK AND CULTURES ARE WELL COMBINED AND TO PREVENT UNEVEN FERMENTATION.
INSULATION
INSULATION HELPS MAINTAIN THE TEMPERATURE INSIDE THE TANK AND IMPROVES ENERY EFFICIENCY.
HYGIENIC DESIGN
THE TANK IS DESIGNED TO BE EASILY CLEANED AND SANITISED TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION. IT OFTEN FEATURES SMOOTH SURFACES AND SANITARY FITTINGS.
VENTING SYSTEM
A VENTING SYSTEM MAY BE INCLUDED TO RELEASE GASES PRODUCED DURING FERMENTATION AND TO MAINTAIN THE RIGHT ENVIRONMENT INSIDE THE TANK.
SAMPLING PORTS
THESE ALLOW FOR THE EXTRACTION OF SAMPLES FOR QUALITY CONTROL WITHOUT DISTRUBING THE ENTIRE BATCH.
YOGHURT TANKS COME IN VARIOUS SIZES, FROM SMALL-SCALE TANKS USED BY ARTISANAL PRODUCERS TO LARGE INDUSTRIAL TANKS USED IN COMMERCIAL YOGHURT MANUFACTURING. EACH IS DESIGNED TO ENSURE CONSISTENT QUALITY AND EFFICIENCY IN THE YOGHURT PRODUCTION PROCESS.