Ultrafiltration systems for animal blood processing
The Alfa Laval Pro-UF Plasma systems are cross-flow ultrafiltration (UF) membrane units of hygienic design, ideal for animal blood processing. These ultrafiltration systems concentrate and purify animal blood plasma using Alfa Laval ultrafiltration membranes. With the water-saving GreenClean cleaning process and reduced energy consumption, Alfa Laval’s animal blood processing equipment delivers efficient, reliable plasma production.
Experience advanced ultrafiltration systems for sustainable animal blood processing
- Alfa Laval GreenClean technology reduces CIP water consumption and ensures optimal product and CIP displacement
- High flexibility on production parameters with optional animal blood processing equipment available
- Direct feed of incoming plasma from HSS eliminates the need for an additional feed tank
- Achieves up to 92% protein purity without diafiltration water
- All animal membrane filter components and ultrafiltration membranes are manufactured in-house by Alfa Laval
Decades of expertise in ultrafiltration membrane systems and solutions
Alfa Laval brings decades of experience in membrane filtration systems, cross-flow ultrafiltration and continuous membrane filtration. With over 2,500 installations worldwide, we help companies optimize ultrafiltration systems, reduce energy consumption and improve process efficiency.
Alfa Laval ultrafiltration systems are ideal for hygienically collected animal blood plasma from bovine and pigs. Using high-performance ultrafiltration membranes and interconnected membrane stages, these systems concentrate valuable proteins while allowing minerals and water to pass through, improving overall protein purity. When hygienic processing is not possible, the blood can be converted into blood meal for animal feed.
Which type of membranes are used in animal blood processing?
Animal blood processing requires highly efficient and hygienic equipment to ensure the safe concentration and purification of blood plasma while maximizing protein recovery. Alfa Laval offers a complete range of animal blood processing equipment, including ultrafiltration membranes for plasma processing and blood meal production.
UF spiral membranes
Cross-flow ultrafiltration membranes for animal blood processing
Our UF spiral membranes are based on a unique construction of either polypropylene or polyester support material in a sanitary, full-fit design that provides optimum cleaning conditions.
UF-pHt™ membranes
Broad pH tolerance meets high temperature resistance
Made with a special polypropylene paper, these UF membranes can be used across a broad range of pH levels as well as high temperatures. This helps to increase both process flexibility and the hygiene of the membrane filtration system.
How Do Ultrafiltration Systems Work?
When processing animal blood plasma from bovine and pigs, the plasma is separated from the blood in two main stages. First, blood cells are removed using a separator. Second, the plasma proteins are preconcentrated in a membrane filtration system. Freshly separated plasma passes through multiple interconnected ultrafiltration membrane stages, where valuable proteins are gradually concentrated (retentate) while minerals and water pass through the membrane (permeate), improving protein purity.
Preconcentration in the ultrafiltration system increases protein levels from approximately 7% to 25%, depending on blood quality, and enhances protein purity up to 92% without using diafiltration water. By preconcentrating plasma proteins before final drying, the overall heat load and energy consumption are reduced, improving final product quality.
The system can remove up to 90% of the salt initially present in plasma (up to 1.5%). Depending on specific requirements, nanofiltration or reverse osmosis can be applied to retain more salt in the protein fraction.
Ultrafiltration system options
The Alfa Laval Pro-UF Plasma systems are available with the following optional animal blood processing equipment:
- Refractometer (K-Patents) for Brix control of the concentrated plasma
- Pre-feed pump control
- Heat exchanger on the feed line to pre-heat the incoming plasma
- Retentate cooler to cool the concentrated plasma
- Heat exchanger in the retentate CIP line to heat the CIP solution
- Steam injection in the tank to heat the CIP solution
- Heat recovery from the retentate and permeate to heat the incoming plasma
- CIP dosing system for automatic CIP sequence with up to 5 agents for cleaning and sanitization
- External CIP valve system to clean the permeate, retentate and feed outlet lines
- The MCC panel and frequency inverters are supplied as standalone for installation in the MCC room
Connect with our process experts
By combining industry know-how, advanced ultrafiltration systems and a global sales and service network, Alfa Laval delivers solutions tailored to your business, helping you maximize product value and operational efficiency in animal blood processing.