Transport of Milk Drying Tower Enhances Processing Capacity in Argentina
A massive milk drying module is undertaking a journey of 300 kilometers in Argentina, a trip that will take three to four days due to the structure's substantial size. The module, with a diameter of six meters, started its journey from Santa Fe and is destined for a dairy industry facility in San Marcos Sud, Córdoba. This addition aims to enhance the processing of milk and whey.
The transportation of this module requires a significant logistical operation, involving road closures, temporary removal of signs, elevating cables, and dismantling some traffic lights to allow for the convoy's passage. The structure is a spray drying module, a technology that converts milk, whey, and other liquid dairy derivatives into high-value powder products.
The equipment has the capacity to process 250,000 liters daily and will be installed at a cheese company in Córdoba, which seeks to increase the industrial utilization of whey produced during cheese production. According to Sergio Bagnaroli, a partner at IAF Ingeniería, the client already operates another larger capacity tower acquired from the same company previously.
The logistics involved in moving such a large structure differ significantly from conventional transportation. Specialized crews are responsible for lifting electrical lines, removing road signs, and restoring infrastructure after the convoy passes each segment.
Transporting a fully assembled tower is not typical; many projects involve shipping parts for assembly at the customer's site. However, when the plant's infrastructure is ready to receive the equipment, transporting it fully assembled can drastically reduce startup times. In large-scale installations where tons of milk powder are processed daily, each day saved offers significant economic benefits.
IAF Ingeniería is responsible for the comprehensive design of these drying plants, while manufacturing is carried out in collaboration with specialized workshops in the region. The company has sold nearly 100 different capacity units for processing milk, whey, and other industrial products. Besides Argentina, their technology has been installed in Paraguay, Bolivia, Chile, and Colombia, establishing a regional presence in developing solutions for the dairy industry.
