Which of the following operational advantages are provided by multiple-effect evaporators equipped with mechanical or thermal vapor recompression (MVR/TVR) in milk condensing plants?
Options:
(A) Substantial increase in overall steam economy roughly proportional to the number of effects ($N$ effects $\implies \text{Economy} \approx 0.85 N$)
(B) Reduced net thermal energy consumption and operating fuel costs
(C) Lower boiling temperatures in successive effects protecting milk whey proteins from extensive thermal denaturation
(D) Complete elimination of heat exchanger surface fouling without any need for Clean-In-Place (CIP)
Answer Key:
A, B, C
Step-by-Step Solution & Explanation
Multiple-effect evaporators reuse vapor to multiply steam economy (A, B) and operate under vacuum cascades to minimize thermal damage to milk proteins (C). Statement D is FALSE; dairy evaporators experience severe calcium phosphate and protein fouling requiring daily alkaline/acid CIP cycles.