IEEE Student Branch of Dronacharya College of Engineering, Gurgaon conducted an industrial visit to Mother Dairy plant, Patparganj, New Delhi on 1st September 2016. Forty nine from EEE and ECS department visited the Mother Dairy plant with faculty member Dr. Deepika Yadav (Associate Professor, EEE). The objective of the visit was to enhance general awareness of the students related to the processing and manufacturing of dairy products.

Mother Dairy Plant was commissioned in 1974 as a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB). It was an initiative under Operation Flood, the world's biggest dairy development program launched to make India a milk sufficient nation. Over the years, Mother Dairy Plant has contributed significantly in achieving this objective through a series of innovations and programs.

The team was welcomed by Mother Dairy in-charge, Mr. K.R.K Pillai. He gave brief introduction to students about mother dairy plant and then students headed towards the plant. At plant Mr. K.R.K Pillai, described briefly about the process which milk undergoes, like: Clarification, Standardization, Homogenization, Pasteurization and finally, about distribution of milk.

Mr. K.R.K Pillai explained the students the overall operation of the plant comprises of various stages such as procuring, processing, packing, supplying and marketing. The milk is preheated at high temperature and is sprayed in the ‘V’ shaped collector from the top. The milk that is being sprayed is subjected to hot air which absorbs the moisture content to obtain powder. The milk powder is collected at the lower level of the collector and is periodically checked for quality. Two varieties of milk powder are being manufactured currently Sugar content is used to distinguish between the two products.

He discussed the dairy plant also houses a laboratory where the milk sampled at various instants, is tested for quality and quantity at regular intervals. SNF is the key factor which is used to distinguish between milk variants. Also, some portion of the milk is used to obtain ghee, butter, buttermilk, lassi, paneer, icecream, flavoured milk etc. Icecream is manufactured, packed and stored in a separate unit where the temperature is maintained at extremely low level.

He stated that the whole production cycle is completely automated and can be best understood with the P & I diagram mentioned on the control panel located in the control room.

Block diagram detailing

a) DCS Control Panel

b) Electrical Power distribution Flow Schematic representation.

Block diagram detailing

a) Process water flow diagram

b) Pasterurizer plant for milk processing

The students had an opportunity to view and understand the operation of different processes using varied techniques employed in a dairy plant. Also, the visit created awareness among the students regarding the various valves, actuators, controllers, containers, packing units, control panel being used currently.

Some Glimpses: