A milk silo is a vertical, cylindrical tank that is designed to keep your milk at the optimal temperature and quality until it is collected by the milk processor. Outdoor milk silos represent a high quality, compact alternative to conventional tanks and Liscarroll Ice Builders allow for instant cooling of milk as it passes to the tank using off-peak power at a low-current draw.
Milk silos have many advantages over horizontal milk tanks:
- They save space and reduce building costs, as they can be installed outdoors and have a smaller footprint.
- They have a higher cooling capacity and efficiency, as they use direct expansion cooling plates at the bottom of the tank and optionally side evaporator plates for extra cooling.
- They have a larger storage capacity, ranging from 12,000 to 60,000 litres, which can accommodate up to 6 milkings.
“The business was established in 1987 by my parents, Denis and Mary. My dad worked for ten years in immersion cooling, before spending a further three years with bulk milk tankers. Thirty years ago, he decided to go out on his own as an agent for Liscarroll Engineering – a partnership we still have today."
— Paul Renihan, Director
Depending on the model and size of the milk silo, the installation process may vary, but generally it involves the following steps:
- Preparing the site and foundation for the milk silo, ensuring that there is enough space, access, and drainage.
- Transporting and lifting the milk silo to the site.
- Connecting the milk silo to the power supply, water supply, and milk pipeline, using the appropriate fittings and valves.
- Testing and commissioning the milk silo, checking for leaks, proper functioning, and calibration.
Maintaining a milk silo is essential to ensure its optimal performance and longevity. A regular maintenance schedule should include the following tasks:
- Cleaning and sanitizing the milk silo after each milk collection, using an automatic washing system that circulates hot water and detergent in both directions.
- Checking and replacing the gaskets, seals, and filters of the silo, as well as the refrigerant and oil levels of the cooling unit.
- Inspecting and servicing the electrical and mechanical components of the milk silo, such as the agitator, the pressure transmitter, the control panel, and the sensors.
- Monitoring and recording the silo’s temperature, level, and quality.
Only the best-performing and longest-lasting products on the market.
- 24hr Emergency Call-Out Service
- Quarterly & Annual Maintenance
- F-GAS registered and certified
- Experts in all makes and models of commercial refrigeration plant
