The final product of the oat milk processing line is a plant-based beverage - Oat Milk - that has been processed through a series of technological processes. Oat milk is a non-dairy beverage made primarily from oats through soaking, grinding, enzymatic hydrolysis, filtration, homogenization, sterilization, and packaging. Its taste is similar to milk, but it does not contain lactose and milk protein, making it suitable for lactose intolerant and vegetarians to drink. Oat milk is rich in dietary fiber, protein, trace elements, and beneficial for heart health β- Glucan, commonly used as a substitute for milk in coffee preparation, cooking, baking, or direct consumption. Under different brands and formulas, oat milk may also contain other ingredients such as vitamins, minerals, stabilizers, sweeteners, etc. to adjust flavor and nutritional value.
Oat milk processing line is a production line used to convert oats into oat milk, which usually includes the following main steps and equipment:
2. Pre treatment: • Cleaning machine: Remove impurities and dust from the surface of oats. • Grinding machine: Grind oats into small particles for subsequent soaking and extraction of soluble components from oats.
3. Soaking and stirring: • Soaking tank: Soak the ground oat particles in water for a period of time, activate and release the starch and protein inside Mixing equipment: Continuously stir during the soaking process to accelerate the dissolution process.
4. Enzymatic hydrolysis or heat treatment: To improve the extraction rate of nutrients, appropriate enzymes can be added for enzymatic hydrolysis to help break down the cell wall structure of oats Alternatively, heat treatment methods such as steaming can be used to soften oats, making the nutrients inside more easily soluble in water.
5. Filtering and Separation: • Filtering System: Through multi-stage filters, the liquid portion is separated as oat milk, while the solid residue is recycled as a by-product It may also include equipment such as centrifuges for further separation and clarification of oat milk.
6. Homogenization and Standardization: • Homogenizer: High pressure homogenization treatment is applied to oat milk to fully disperse particles such as fat and lactose, ensuring a smooth and stable taste Standardization: Adjust the concentration and fat content of oat milk as needed to ensure consistency in product quality.
7. Sterilization and cooling: • Sterilization equipment (such as UHT sterilizer): High temperature instantaneous sterilization of oat milk to meet commercial sterile standards and extend shelf life Cooling system: Quickly cool to the appropriate filling temperature to avoid excessive heating affecting quality.
8. Filling and packaging: • Automatic filling machine: Accurately and accurately pour oat milk into various containers (bottles, boxes, bags, etc.) Packaging assembly line: a series of automated operations such as sealing, labeling, coding, and packaging.
9. Quality control: • Laboratory testing equipment: Regular sampling is conducted to comprehensively test the nutritional components, microbial indicators, sensory characteristics, etc. of oat milk, ensuring food safety and quality standards.
Each step may involve corresponding information management systems and technologies to monitor the production process in real-time, optimize process parameters, ensure product quality, and reduce energy consumption and costs.
The advanced technologies adopted in the oat milk processing line include but are not limited to the following aspects:
1. Precision grinding technology: Use high-precision grinding equipment to grind oats into small particles suitable for enzymatic hydrolysis and soaking, in order to improve raw material utilization and nutrient extraction efficiency.
2. Intelligent enzymatic hydrolysis process: By adding appropriate enzyme preparations, it accelerates the decomposition of large molecules such as starch and protein in oats into soluble components. Modern technology can accurately control the time, temperature, and pH value of the enzymatic hydrolysis process, ensuring the best enzymatic hydrolysis effect.
3. Efficient extraction system: Using high-pressure pulse or ultrasonic assisted extraction technology, the water-soluble components in oats are fully released in a short time and under mild conditions.
4. Automation control system: Using PLC (programmable logic controller) or SCADA (data acquisition and monitoring system) to achieve full automation control of the production line, including real-time monitoring and adjustment of parameters such as material conveying, mixing speed, temperature control, and filtration pressure.
5. Precision filtration and separation technology: Advanced membrane separation technologies such as microfiltration and ultrafiltration are used to finely filter oat milk, removing insoluble fibers and other impurities, ensuring a smooth and delicate taste of oat milk.
6. UHT instantaneous sterilization technology: By using Ultra High Temperature (UHT) to kill microorganisms in the product, while preserving the nutritional value and natural flavor of the product as much as possible, the shelf life of the product is extended.
7. Online quality inspection system: integrating multiple sensors and analytical instruments, real-time online detection of oat milk concentration, fat content, protein content, microbial indicators, etc., ensuring stable product quality.
8. Environmental and energy-saving design: Optimize the energy consumption of the entire production process, such as using a heat recovery system to reduce energy consumption, using low-energy refrigeration technology to reduce the energy cost of the cooling process, and focusing on water resource recycling.
9. Intelligent packaging technology: including a series of automated operations such as aseptic filling, automatic weighing, labeling, coding, sealing, and robot packaging, ensuring the safety, hygiene, and compliance with regulatory requirements of product packaging.
These advanced technologies and equipment not only improve the efficiency and product quality of oat milk production, but also greatly reduce resource waste and environmental pollution, in line with the trend of sustainable development in modern food industry.
The operation and maintenance of equipment in oat milk processing lines are crucial to ensuring efficient operation and product quality of the production line. The following are the operating points and maintenance precautions for the equipment required in each major link:
1. Raw material receiving and storage equipment: • Operation: Preliminary screening of incoming oats, removal of impurities, and timely storage of qualified raw materials in a dry and well ventilated warehouse Maintenance: Regularly inspect the sealing, moisture-proof measures, and temperature and humidity monitoring system of storage facilities to ensure that raw materials are not affected by the external environment.
2. Pre processing equipment (cleaning machine, grinding machine): • Operation: Set the appropriate speed and working time according to the equipment manual to clean and grind oats, ensuring that the particle size meets the subsequent process requirements. • Maintenance: Clean the internal residues of the equipment after each use to prevent rusting or cross contamination; Regularly inspect and replace the grinding components for wear.
3. Soaking and stirring tank: • Operation: Control the water temperature and soaking time, maintain an appropriate stirring speed, and promote the full dissolution of oat ingredients. • Maintenance: Regularly check the working status of the mixer, clean the inside of the tank to prevent scaling and bacterial growth.
4. Extraction filtration system: • Operation: Set the filtration pressure and flow rate correctly, regularly replace the filter bag or clean the filter element to ensure that the oat milk liquid is clear and free of residue Maintenance: Regularly check for leaks at pipeline connections and maintain the lubrication and cooling system of the centrifugal separator.
5. Homogenizer and Standardized Equipment: • Operation: Adjust homogenization pressure and temperature according to product specifications, and precisely control parameters such as oat milk concentration and fat content through standardized equipment Maintenance: Regularly inspect the working performance of homogeneous valve components, clean and maintain relevant instruments and valves of standardized equipment.
6. Sterilization equipment (such as UHT sterilization machine): • Operation: Strictly follow the operating procedures to carry out the sterilization process and avoid overheating causing a decrease in product quality Maintenance: Regularly clean and descale the heating pipeline, test and calibrate the accuracy of the temperature sensor.
7. Filling and sealing packaging line: • Operation: Set a reasonable filling amount and speed to ensure tight sealing and clear and accurate labeling Maintenance: Regularly clean the filling head, check the wear of the sealing machine's cutting tools, replace vulnerable parts, and maintain the good operation of the packaging machinery.
8. Other auxiliary equipment and public works: including refrigeration equipment, delivery pumps, CIP cleaning systems, etc., which need to be operated according to the manufacturer's manual and a detailed maintenance plan should be developed, and preventive maintenance and upkeep should be carried out regularly.
In short, the equipment operators of the oat milk processing line should have professional technical knowledge, strictly abide by safety operating procedures, and at the same time, the enterprise should establish a sound equipment maintenance system, regularly carry out inspections, maintenance, and repairs to extend the service life of the equipment, ensure production efficiency and product quality.
Shanghai Beyond Machinery Co., Ltd
Beyond Machinery specializes in the design and manufacturing of Oat milk processing plant. Please contact us now, and our professional technical engineers will customize the equipment plan for Oat milk processing line and provide a quotation. Please contact us now to obtain the latest equipment plan and quotation.
