ENERGY ? SAVING POTENTIAL OF INSERTED TURBULENCE PROMOTERS IN THE MICROFILTRATION OF MILK

The efficiency of microfiltration is limited by membrane fouling which causes a permeate flux decline and increases energy consumption of the process. One of the ways to reduce membrane fouling is to inserte turbulence promoters in ceramic membrane. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of energy saving in cross-flow microfiltration of milk by using a static mixers: twisted tapes and KM Kenix mixer. The insertin of the twisted tapes causes the reduction of the energy consuption at a level of 45 to 75%, while an application of the Kenix mixer guarantees a reduction of 35 ? 65%.