Results for the subject: Alfa-Laval Mechanical Separator

Assembling a mechanical separator; the capacity to mechanically separate cream from milk transformed the dairy industry after its invention by Gustav de Laval in 1878. A process that had hitherto had to wait days for the action of gravity to allow the, less dense, cream part of the milk to rise could now be mechanised. This inaugurated the era of factory, or creamery made, butter.

This example is a hand powered Alfa Laval type separator made by Lister and Company. These, or similar, were commonplace in rural Ireland, though working models are now rare.

The images are free for not-for-profit or non-commercial use but we would appreciate if the Cork Butter Museum and the photographer, Roland Paschhoff were acknowledged.