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Innovative Dry Steam Systems Clean Machines Better
Hygiene systems specialist, OspreyDeepclean is launching innovative dry steam technology systems to help the food manufacturing sector clean efficiently and cost effectively using unique water saving science.
The technology, which is the first of its kind in the UK, uses a continuous flow heating coil system to produce vapour with a strong sanitising power to safely remove micro-organisms and bacteria. Efficient cleaning capacity is produced from the steam pressure made on the surface to be cleaned and the solvent power of micro drops at a high temperature, with minimal moisture present.
Food manufacturers are faced with achieving the very highest standards of cleanliness of technically complex plant processing equipment and the food manufacturing site. The new technology meets the challenges of cleaning in environments such as dry food areas, where water systems cannot be used. In other sections of the plant, thousands of litres of water are currently being used to clean the production environment.
The continuous steam system provides constant steam quality which can be adjusted by volume and dryness. Water flow and heating power can be controlled and adapted by an electronic control system. Traditional cleaning methods have mainly relied on potentially hazardous chemicals or traditional boiler systems and dry ice systems which require detergent, dry ice, filtration and bath treatment.
OspreyDeepclean’s technology is available in a range of dry steam machines for different applications. This includes the fully auditable dry steam belt sanitation unit (BSU) which cleans conveyor belts to allergen level, saving up to three million litres of water per annum.
A second device has been developed for the packaging areas where a central steam system, much like a central vacuum, facilitates cleaning without the need for manual intervention. The sophisticated equipment can be used for the cleaning of heavy parts and automotive parts such as cylinder heads, cam shafts and connecting rods and for plastic parts cleaning. The machines start from a 3kW single phase unit and reach up to 144kW plants available in electric, oil or gas heated coils. This fully integrated system permits the whole cleaning process to become auditable using sophisticated PC software.
Thomas Stuecken, Chairman of OspreyDeepclean said: “With our new boiler free technology, we are at the forefront of water saving science. We are currently in negotiation with the some of the largest food manufacturing companies to design bespoke, highly advanced cleaning and hygiene systems.”
The Potential For The Internet of Things For Automation
Every year the world of enterprise IT delivers a new set of opportunities for industrial automation. This year, perhaps the most exciting of these are big data and the Internet of Things (IoT).
Part of the potential of the IoT is unleashing the data that manufacturers collect in increasingly large quantities so that it can be effectively analysed. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s character, Sherlock Holmes, once said that, "It is a capital mistake to theorise before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit fact" – this seems particularly pertinent in the light of the Internet of Things.
The Internet of Things creates the premise for a world where physical objects are seamlessly integrated into the information network, where they can become active participants in business processes. It creates a world in which it is possible to collect the big data needed to produce theories based, not just on, one fact but on all the facts – to perform a kind of retrograde analysis to borrow a metaphor from Chess.
IoT ultimately means a commitment to the value of data as a management tool. It can be about gathering data without knowing how it will ultimately be used. From the simplest sensors to most sophisticated applications, the IoT marks the dawn of a new era in automation, where decision making can be done using far, far more data. All that remains is for manufacturers is to free their imagination and start thinking about how the IoT can work for them – something we are already beginning to see.
Excalibur Save 30% On Energy Costs At Cargill Chicken Site
Part of Cargill since 2008, Freeman's of Newent are a primary chicken processing business, supplying independent butchers and the retail food sector.
As part of Cargill’s drive to improve energy efficiency a site review showed that the spiral refrigeration plant used to cool chicken prior to packing and despatch was a major energy user.
The system comprises five large Sabroe reciprocating compressors, operating on the R22 replacement refrigerant R417a, which processes 72,000 chickens a day. Due to the site having a limited electrical supply power is provided from 2 oil fired generators.
Freeman’s approached Excalibur to investigate the possibilities of improving the efficiency of this system. A study was undertaken which enabled Excalibur to identify the potential to reduce energy consumption by more than 30%
Excalibur were contracted to undertake the modifications which involved the installation of Liquid Pressure Amplification and inverter control of condenser fans, the system was then recommissioned to operate at low head pressure, reducing compressor energy consumption and increasing refrigeration capacity.
The effects of the modification were immediate; production was increased due to lower temperatures in the chiller, while oil consumption of the generators dropped by 1000 litres / week. Achieving a payback against investment of 18 months, and an annual reduction in carbon emissions of 150 tonnes.
Hygiene systems specialist, OspreyDeepclean is launching innovative dry steam technology systems to help the food manufacturing sector clean efficiently and cost effectively using unique water saving science.
Part of Cargill since 2008, Freeman's of Newent are a primary chicken processing business, supplying independent butchers and the retail food sector.