Development of an innovative raw milk dispenser based on nanofluid technology

The comparative analysis of a traditional raw milk dispenser and an innovative prototype based on nanofluid technology is presented. The traditional dispenser consists of an off-the-shelf up-right air cooled refrigerator, whereas the innovative prototype presents a tank equipped with a serpentine tube jacket operated with Al2O3 - ethylene glycol aqueous solution nanofluid. The systems are experimentally analysed in the ambient temperature range 19 - 35 °C to evaluate the energy performance and the temperature control inside the milk tank. The innovative prototype is demonstrated to be superior both from the point of view of energy saving and of food safety. In fact, it exhibits a 63 - 70 % energy saving with respect to the traditional one. Furthermore it is able to reach the “safe” temperature of 4 °C in about half of the time required by traditional system and it keeps the milk always in the “safe” temperature range.