Tenix Robt Stone revolutionary new on-farm milk storage vat is turning current tank technology on its head. Using a patented hydro-forming process the 'Sphericool' design changes the way milk has been stored for thousands of years with significant benefits. The 25 farmers who have the Sphericool vats installed are impressed at the many ways that this system has improved their milk storage capabilities.

The Sphericool vat now offers a solution for the many New Zealand dairy farmers who are plagued with milk storage problems resulting in rejected or non-conforming milk product. This system is already saving farmers thousands of dollars with improved production, hygiene, quality, and reliability.

The heart of the process is the geometrically perfect stainless stell sphere which has been developed in a range of sizes by the team at Tenix Robt Stone in Hawera, New Zealand. Its perfect design proportions gives a highly effective storage, hygiene and cooling process.

ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAVINGS

"The milk is chilled very quickly, the unit switches off approximately 45 minutes after milking, 5degC this means cheaper running" - Waikato farmer

MAINTENANCE

• The Sphericool tank and cooling system requires vastly reduced maintenance.
• With the manway situated at the top of the tank there is no requirement for a rubber seal.
• The spherical design eliminates the all risks of dimple pad repairs.
• The Sphericool tank design improves cleaning both externally and internally.
• All componentry is reputable and proven.

"The cleaning side of things is really easy which is also a time saver" - Taranaki farmer

IMPROVED HYGIENE

• The spherical shape has no corners so there is no 'dead spot' or traps where micro-organisms can manifest, which means it has a superior cleaning design.
• The spherical shape makes cleaning more effective and efficient from one spray ball unit.
• The design creates better self cleaning properties.
• With the manway located at the top of the tank there is no requirement for seals to be used, which reduces the risk of bacteria growing around and under the rubber seal.
• As the vats are on pedestals less algae grows underneath.
• Tests show a significantly reduced bacteria count compared to a traditional vat.

"Lower bactoscan and thermodurics since installation" - Wanganui farmer

ENHANCED MILK QUALITY

• The vastly more efficient and reliable cooling system promotes a faster draw down of the milk during and after milking. Testing shows there is a clear improvement in milk quality stored due to the faster and more uniform chilling.
• The design of the sphere combined with a cleverly positioned agitator allows milk volumes as low as 50 litres to be agitated. This greatly reduces micro-organism activity.
• A reduced milk temperature in the vat provides a better quality product, which is ready for immediate dairy factory processing.
• Providing cooler milk to the tanker ensures the milk product is still of a high quality once it reaches the dairy factory. Due to the chilled water, milk does not freeze or crystallise.

"Better quality product because milk is chilled faster" - Taranaki farmer

INSTALLATION

• Vats are installed on pedestal legs to allow vat pads to be at ground level. This creates significant savings for the farmer due to reduced pad construction costs.
• Sphericool vats are fully compatible with all current milk plant installations.
• They are available in 10,000l, 16,000l, 21,000l and 30,000l sizes.
• The cooling water system is safe and easily connected.
• Where pre-chilling is a problem there are several options available to improve milk cooling performance.

"Hindsight is a wonderful thing and maybe we would have done a few things differently in the new shed, but one thing we would not change is the Sphericool Milk Vat" - Waikato farmer

"We have had good support from Rob Stone Stainless with all enquiries promptly answered" - Taranaki farmer

IMPROVED RELIABILTY DUE TO SIMPLICITY

• Chilled water is the Sphericool coolant which is safe, clean, environmentally friendly, reliable and easily replenished.
• No notorious dimple cooling jackets to rupture or fail.
• No unreliable and expensive gas refrigerant system to maintain.
• Simple control systems keep the water at the desired temperature.
• The fail safe design means that the vat should last indefinately under normal operating condtions.
• The spherical shape of the vats reduces the range of sizes which optimises manufacturing costs and simplifies installation and delivery.
• The manway is positioned at the top of the vat so there is no possibility of leakage compared with the side mounted manway on the traditonal vat,.

"We are pleased with this vat and would not purchase a dimple pad vat again" - Taranaki farmer

SAFETY

• All tank installations have OSH and Fonterra compliant access ladder and safety harness attachment points for access to equipment and manways.
• There are no refrigeration gases required for the operation of a Sphericool vat.
• There are no manways below the milk level so there is no risk of leakage or catastrophic spillage.
• As the vats are more hygienic there is less need to enter the vat. Some farmers have not been into their tanks for up to a year!

"There is no door so I have not had the problem of a leaking seal that I have had in the past with the other vats" - Taranaki farmer

"This vat has impressed us with its simple design and ability to draw down the milk temperature to 4degC quickly"