WPC35
ANTI-FOULING EVOLUTION MEMBRANES FOR
WPC35
Sanitary anti-fouling Evolution membranes for making whey protein concentrate (WPC) 35%.
Maximize productivity in protein concentration for WPC35.
Concentrating whey protein to make WPC35 involves ultrafiltration (UF) systems that require daily cleanings to handle the organics that build up on the membrane surface. By using anti-fouling Evolution membranes, users can experience thinner gel layers than those on conventional polyethersulfone (PES) membranes, resulting in a higher average sustainable flux and a simplified cleaning program that saves an hour or more of time each day.
Application Details
Whey protein concentrates, including WPC35, are typically used in dairy products like yogurt and ice cream, bakery products, dry and wet blends, and more. For WPC35, the final product must have a protein concentration of 35% and utilizes a membrane-based process to achieve that concentration.
The manufacturing process begins with blended skimmed whey that has been pasteurized, clarified, and separated. The pretreated whey is then fed to a UF system with multiple stages of membranes to concentrate the whey to the desired protein concentration. The retentate stream from the membranes is ultimately dried to produce a final product of WPC35 powder.
Since the UF permeate stream contains high concentrations of lactose, it can be sent to downstream lactose concentration systems. Click here to read more about lactose concentration.
Membranes Used in WPC35 Manufacturing
Conventional sanitary PES UF membranes have been used in WPC35 production, but now the next evolution of UF membranes are here to increase productivity in whey concentration: Evolution Protein Concentration Membrane (PCM) elements.
Evolution PCM elements feature an anti-fouling membrane chemistry based on a zwitterionic copolymer and are available as direct replacements for industry-standard sanitary elements.
Sweet Whey to WPC35 with PCM @ 10°C
* Data courtesy of Tetra Pak
Flux rates for PCM were higher than 5kDa and 10kDa PES
SF had a flatter flux curve and was higher than PES membranes at WPC35
No noted difference in permeate
No true protein loss
All total protein passage was NPN
Cleanability of PCM with a simple flush was excellent
PCM fully restored with caustic-acid-caustic
Conventional UF membranes required chlorine
Maximize productivity
By utilizing an anti-fouling membrane chemistry, Evolution PCM membranes minimize gel layer formation at the membrane surface, allowing users to maximize productivity through the membrane.
Decrease cleaning costs by 50% or more
Evolution PCM elements eliminate multiple steps from a cleaning program, saving money on chemicals, water use, and utilities—all while supporting more sustainable operations.
Minimize cleaning time
Evolution PCM can reduce cleaning time by an hour or more per day—giving operators precious time back to focus on other critical tasks and producing more.
Simple implementation
Evolution PCM elements are direct replacements for industry-standard products—no system modifications or new CAPEX required.
Podcast: ZwitterCo Unfiltered
ZwitterCo Unfiltered: Real Talk on Membrane Filtration is a candid, experience-driven podcast exploring real-world membrane applications across food processing, water, and wastewater treatment.
Reduce your cleaning costs by 50%.
With Evolution membranes, your cleaning programs are easier and shorter, enabling more uptime for operators to focus on other important tasks. With easier cleanings and less chemicals, plants enjoy significantly reduced time and labor required for maintenance.
Minimize gel layer formation, maximize productivity.
Evolution membranes feature the highest resistance to organic fouling, which reduces gel layer formation at the membrane surface and leads to higher sustainable average flux. This leads to more output, more uptime, more time for maintenance, and protection against equipment failure for dairy processors.
Simplified & sustainable operations.
Evolution membranes simplify cleaning programs and require fewer chemicals, while also reducing freshwater demand, energy consumption, and amount of wastewater generated.
- Reduced pumping
- Less water
- Less heating of CIP solutions
- Decreased chemical usage
- Reduced energy requirements
Improve your OPEX.
In whey protein concentration applications, Evolution membranes significantly reduce freshwater demand through their simplified cleaning process.
Reduced Operating Costs
With lower cleaning costs, decreased water usage, less wastewater generated, and lower energy requirements, Evolution membranes offer a significant decrease in OPEX.
Increase in Uptime
Evolution membranes offer more uptime due to shorter cleaning programs, freeing operators to work on other priorities.
Mott Case Study
Speak with our engineers to discover ways that ZwitterCo can support positive changes at your plant. With our help, you can reduce your hauling and avoid heavy OPEX spend on plant expansion.
Learn More
Industrial Wastewater Reuse
ZwitterCo has only polymeric membranes that can filter high strength organic streams without rapid and irreversible fouling. More description here to describe the kind of solutions we offer for NMP.
Learn More
Challenging Surface Water Treatment
Write a description about how we solve challenging surface water treatment problems. EMP for pure water.
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High Value Protein & Co-Product Separation
Write copy about our solution for protein bioprocessing co-product creation – EMP Process.
Remove Bulk Organics
Remove tough to fight organics, such as fats, oils, grease, and protein.
Fully Chlorine-Intolerant
Can endure aggressive cleaning without wear and tear
Runs at Low Pressure
Runs at low pressure by not removing salt, sugar, alcohol’s or other small molecules.
Replaces Biological Systems
Replace biological systems or coagulation/flocculation processes commonly used to treat organics.
Evolution Product Introduction Webinar
WEBINAR
Evolution Anti-fouling Membranes: The Next Evolution in Food, Dairy, and Biotech Processing
Evolution Anti-fouling Membranes: The Next Evolution in Food, Dairy, and Biotech Processing
Learn more about anti-fouling Evolution sanitary membranes and how they allow food, dairy, and biotech processors to increase their productivity, simplify membrane cleaning programs, and unlock cost savings.
- Discover zwitterionic membrane technology and how it has progressed to FDA-compliant sanitary membranes
- Review data showing how Evolution RO reduced membrane cleaning costs by over 50% and used over 40% less water for cleaning in a dairy wastewater concentrator system at a whey processing facility
- Explore the simplified cleaning programs offered by Evolution membranes, including the removal of the costly enzyme step
- Understand Evolution RO, SF, and Protein Concentration Membrane (PCM) and how they can help you increase productivity and decrease operating costs
