drinkworld Technology + Marketing 4/2021

Oat Milk, a Plant-Based Alternative
Processing
Struggling for resources, their exploitation and sustainment, food producers and processors
have dedicated themselves to the question of how to offer plant-based alternatives that
deliver the good of the milk. Soy, coconut and almond-based products have been on the
market for some time, but mainly the use of oats has established a "mass-compatible
product". But how to use and transform it into an appealing product with the help of smart
measurement technology? The special properties of the raw products in oat milk production
require sensors that are flexible, robust and resistant to adhesion. But what to consider in
each step of oat milk production?
The first step is separating the husks.
This is done quite conventionally
by peeling, sometimes the oats are
immediately milled into flour or
processed to flakes in the same step.
If not directly processed further, the
peeled oat grains must undergo a
drying process to prevent any growth
of the seedling inside. So far, treatment
and processing is similar to standard
processes in bakery or brewery.
Here, pressure sensors as PP20H and
temperature sensors as PT20H are
deployed. CleverLevel is the optimum
solution to protect machinery against
jamming or blocking. Available in
either compact or field housing, the
sensor will detect dry products, flour
and spillage goods.
Sensor requirements increase while
the process continues. After milling,
the oat flour is dissolved in water and
the actual production work begins.
The mix of liquid, solid particles and
the ingredients of table 1 is difficult to
detect because adhesion quickly builds
up and consistency varies. The point
level sensor CleverLevel operating
on the frequency sweep technology
is the ideal product by ensuring safe
Ingredients oats g/100g
switching operations. This technology
allows for monitoring every container
upon overfill and empty level. The
sensors further protect pumps and
tubes against damage by running dry.
Magnetic inductive flow sensors
control enzyme dosage for
carbohydrate breakdown. Here,
precise CombiFlow PF75H flow sensor
is the product to choose. The oat pulp
is then temporarily stored in tanks to
allow enzymes becoming active. Both
when dissolve the grains in water and
in tank fermentation, efficient enzyme
work requires optimal temperatures.
To reduce viscosity and to obtain the
desired sweetness and mouthfeel,
starch is being split up into glucose
and isomaltose.
Consistent hygienic design is
indispensable when it comes to tank
cleaning. Front-flush temperature
sensor TER8 is here the optimal choice.
CleverLevel level switch featuring
a very small contact surface also
provides optimal capabilities for quick
and efficient cleaning. Particularly
when installed at the tank together
with a Baumer Hygienic Connection
(BHC). Integrated pressure sensors
with flush membrane, either PFMH or
PBMH, not only deliver high-precision
signals but thanks to the BHC adapter
are very easy to clean.
Once the enzymes have done
their work, the situation becomes
different. In the heat exchanger,
prior to filtration, temperature
control for appropriate energy intake
requires quick measuring operations.
Temperature sensor PT20H plays to
its strength by featuring a T90 time of
less than 1.1 seconds.
Enzyme activity is ended and the
oat pulp is heated up to about 60°C
for upcoming separation. As in
conventional dairy industry, also here
PT20H or TE2 temperature sensors are
deployed for pasteurization temperate
control at the heat exchanger, while
pressure sensors PP020H measure
differential pressure and flow sensor
CombiFlowPF75H monitors flow
rate and heat holding time. In both
processes, hygienic sensor design
plays a vital role.
Using a decanter any solid parts,
mainly husks, are separated. This
process step calls for the CleverLevel
sensor being particularly insensitive
against adherence. Temperature and
inlet pressure are crucial for proper
decanter operation. For this reason,
sensors with large DFON display like
PFMH and TRFH from the CombiSeries
are ideal products. Besides showing
the measured values, the display will
change color as soon the values are
outside the limits.
The product is finished in the
mixing tank adding liquid and solid
drinkworld Technology + Marketing · November 2021
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