Expansion Tank Research Articles

PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS OF VARIOUS BULK MILK TANKS

Studies indicate that power required for ice bank bulk milk tanks averaged about 1.0 kw-hr per cwt. of milk while direct expansion tanks averaged 0.65. Both compare favorably with 2.0 for mechanical can coolers cooling to the same temperatures. Lower purchase prices for ice bank coolers may offset most of the power increase over the direct expansion type. Some ice bank tanks were underpowered and same had insufficient ice bank capacity to complete milk cooling to 40° F. within two hours after milking. One direct expansion tank using air cooling only did not meet this cooling requirement when operating in the 84° to 88° F. temperature range.