Geson Dairy Milk Chiller — Complete Selection Guide
Geson manufactures dairy milk chillers and glycol milk cooling systems for farm bulk tank cooling, dairy processing plants, and pasteurisation cooling applications. All dairy chillers use food-grade propylene glycol and stainless steel (SS304/SS316) wetted components to meet food safety and hygiene requirements.
Available in air cooled scroll configurations (3RT–100RT) and air cooled screw configurations (50RT–300RT). Lead time: 30 working days.
Request a dairy chiller quotation →
Dairy Industry Cooling Applications
| Application | Cooling Requirement | Target Temperature | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Farm bulk tank milk cooling | Cool fresh milk from ~35°C (body temperature) to storage temperature within 2 hours of milking | +2°C to +4°C | Regulatory requirement in most countries — prevents bacterial multiplication |
| Pasteurisation cooling | Rapid cooling of pasteurised milk from ~72°C to +4°C after HTST or batch pasteurisation | +2°C to +4°C | Fast cooling is critical for food safety and shelf life |
| Cheese making | Milk temperature control during curd formation and whey separation | +30°C to +38°C (process dependent) | Precise temperature control affects curd texture and yield |
| Yoghurt production | Cooling of set yoghurt after incubation to stop fermentation | +4°C to +8°C | Rapid cooling locks in texture and prevents over-acidification |
| Ice cream mix cooling | Cooling of mix after pasteurisation and homogenisation before ageing | +2°C to +5°C | Ageing at 4°C for 4–24 hours improves mix quality and overrun |
| Whey processing | Cooling of whey for further processing or storage | +4°C to +8°C | Rapid cooling prevents bacterial growth in high-protein whey stream |
| CIP (Clean-In-Place) cooling water | Chilled water supply for final rinse in CIP systems | +2°C to +8°C | Cold final rinse ensures product contact surfaces are cooled before production |
Dairy Chiller Sizing Guide
| Dairy Operation | Daily Milk Volume | Recommended Chiller | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small farm dairy | Up to 2,000L/day | 3RT – 5RT (10–18kW) | Single bulk tank cooling |
| Medium farm / small dairy | 2,000 – 10,000L/day | 5RT – 20RT (18–70kW) | Multiple bulk tanks or small processing line |
| Regional dairy processor | 10,000 – 50,000L/day | 20RT – 80RT (70–280kW) | Pasteurisation + storage cooling |
| Commercial dairy plant | 50,000 – 200,000L/day | 80RT – 200RT (280–700kW) | Full processing line — cheese, yoghurt, UHT |
| Large dairy factory | 200,000L+/day | 200RT+ (700kW+) | Central glycol system, multiple process lines |
Food-Grade Requirements for Dairy Chillers
Dairy processing has strict food safety and hygiene requirements that must be met by the chiller system:
- Propylene glycol only: All dairy glycol chiller systems must use food-grade propylene glycol. Ethylene glycol is toxic and absolutely prohibited in any dairy application. Geson dairy chillers are factory-configured with propylene glycol as standard.
- SS304/SS316L wetted components: All components in contact with glycol solution — evaporator, pump, tank, piping, fittings — should be stainless steel for dairy applications. Geson offers SS304 and SS316L evaporator options on all dairy chiller configurations.
- Closed loop system: Dairy glycol systems must be completely closed loop — glycol never contacts milk or dairy products directly. The glycol loop cools the milk through jacketed tanks or plate heat exchangers.
- CIP compatibility: Chiller system components that may require cleaning should be designed for Clean-In-Place procedures. Geson can supply CIP-compatible heat exchanger configurations on request.
- Temperature validation: All Geson dairy chillers are supplied with factory test documentation including chilled water outlet temperature verification records — supporting HACCP and food safety audit requirements.
Real Project References — Dairy & Food Industry
| Year | Country | Industry | System Supplied |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Turkey | Dairy / food processing | Air cooled screw chiller 700kW/199RT, dual compressor, food processing application |
| 2026 | Lithuania | Beverage / dairy factory | Air cooled scroll chiller 260kW/74RT, free cooling function for winter energy saving |
| 2025 | Ireland | Food industry | Water cooled screw chiller 800kW/227RT, 12/7°C, complete system with cooling tower and pumps |
| 2024 | Saudi Arabia | Drinking water / food grade | Air cooled chiller 240kW/68RT, SS316 plate heat exchanger, food-grade configuration |
| 2023 | Vietnam | Food processing / marine | Air cooled scroll chiller 55kW/15.6RT, SS304 heat exchanger, anti-corrosion design |
How to Get a Dairy Chiller Quotation
To receive a formal quotation within 24 hours, provide:
- Daily milk volume to be cooled (litres per day)
- Incoming milk temperature and target storage temperature
- Number and size of bulk tanks or processing vessels
- Any pasteurisation or processing cooling requirements
- Maximum ambient temperature at the installation site
- Power supply — voltage, frequency, phases
- Food-grade requirements — SS304/SS316L specification, propylene glycol concentration
Contact Geson engineering team →
WhatsApp: +86 138 5195 0629 | Email: info@gesonchiller.com
Frequently Asked Questions — Dairy Milk Chillers
What temperature should milk be stored at?
Fresh milk should be cooled to +2°C to +4°C within 2 hours of milking and maintained at this temperature during storage and transport. Most dairy regulations require milk to reach +4°C or below within 2 hours. At temperatures above +7°C, bacterial multiplication accelerates rapidly, reducing shelf life and product quality.
What type of glycol is used in dairy milk chillers?
Always propylene glycol — never ethylene glycol. Propylene glycol is non-toxic and FDA classified as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS). It is the only acceptable glycol type for any dairy application where there is any possibility of contact with milk or dairy products. Ethylene glycol is toxic and its use in dairy systems is prohibited.
What stainless steel grade should dairy chiller components be?
For standard dairy applications, SS304 stainless steel is sufficient for evaporators, tanks, and piping. For applications involving high-chloride cleaning chemicals (chlorine-based CIP) or coastal environments with salt air, SS316L is recommended for its superior corrosion resistance. Geson offers both SS304 and SS316L options — specify your cleaning regime when ordering.
How quickly should milk be chilled after milking?
Most dairy regulations require fresh milk to be cooled from body temperature (~35°C) to +4°C within 2 hours of milking. This requires sufficient chiller capacity to remove the heat load quickly — not just maintain a set temperature. Size your chiller for the peak cooling demand (full batch at 35°C) not the steady-state maintenance load.
Can one chiller serve multiple bulk tanks?
Yes. A central glycol chiller can serve multiple bulk tanks simultaneously through a distribution manifold. This is more efficient than individual chillers per tank and simplifies maintenance. Geson can design complete central dairy glycol systems including the chiller, pump, tank, distribution manifold, and controls.
What is the difference between direct and indirect milk cooling?
Direct cooling uses refrigerant coils immersed directly in the milk tank — efficient but requires food-grade refrigerant and complex design. Indirect cooling uses a glycol loop where the chiller cools glycol, which then cools the milk through jacketed tanks or plate heat exchangers — simpler, safer, and the standard method for most modern dairy operations. Geson dairy chillers use indirect glycol cooling.
Does Geson supply complete dairy glycol systems?
Yes. Geson supplies complete dairy glycol chiller packages including the chiller unit, propylene glycol reservoir (SS304), circulation pump, distribution manifold, and electrical control panel — skid-mounted and factory-tested. This simplifies on-site installation and ensures all components are correctly sized, matched, and food-grade compliant.