A ghee plant requires specialized equipment for processing milk or cream to produce ghee, which is a clarified form of butter widely used in South Asia and parts of the Middle East. The equipment setup in a ghee plant depends on the scale of production and specific processing techniques, but generally includes the following:

1. Cream Separator

• Purpose: To separate cream from the milk. The cream is then further processed into butter, which will be clarified to make ghee.
• Function: It uses centrifugal force to separate the cream from the skimmed milk.

2. Butter Churn

• Purpose: Converts the cream into butter by churning it.
• Function: It agitates the cream to break the fat globules, resulting in butter and buttermilk.

3. Melting Kettle or Butter Melting Vat

• Purpose: Used to melt the butter before the clarification process.
• Construction: Often made of stainless steel, with a jacketed design for indirect heating, ensuring uniform melting.

4. Ghee Boiler / Clarification Tank

• Purpose: To heat and clarify the melted butter, separating the milk solids from the fat.
• Function: Uses controlled heat to evaporate water and skim off impurities (curd or milk solids). The clarified fat left is ghee.
• Construction: Often jacketed for steam or oil heating, with mechanical or manual stirring to ensure even heating.

5. Ghee Settling Tank

• Purpose: To allow the molten ghee to settle after clarification, ensuring separation of any remaining solids or impurities.
• Design: Comes with conical bottoms to allow for easy drainage of impurities.

6. Ghee Storage Tank

• Purpose: Used to store ghee in liquid form before it is packed or transferred.
• Material: Typically made from stainless steel to ensure hygiene and prevent contamination.

7. Vacuum Dehydrator (Optional)

• Purpose: To remove moisture from the ghee in an accelerated process.
• Function: Operates under vacuum conditions to boil off any residual moisture without overheating the ghee.

8. Ghee Packaging Machine

• Purpose: For filling and sealing ghee in various types of containers, including tins, bottles, or pouches.
• Automation: Varies based on production scale, from semi-automatic to fully automatic filling and sealing machines.

9. Cooling Systems (Optional)

• Purpose: To cool the ghee after clarification and before packaging.
• Construction: A cooling tunnel or chamber may be used for large-scale production.

10. Filter Press

• Purpose: To remove fine impurities from the ghee.
• Function: Uses fine mesh or cloth filters to capture remaining particulate matter before the ghee is packed.

Additional Considerations:

• Steam Boilers: Used to provide steam for heating various processes like melting butter or clarifying ghee.
• Thermic Fluid Heaters: These provide controlled heating for the clarification process.
• CIP (Clean-in-Place) Systems: For cleaning the equipment efficiently between production cycles, and maintaining hygiene standards.

Each piece of equipment plays a critical role in ensuring that the production of ghee is efficient, hygienic, and of high quality.