Safeguards for dairy process plant
8 Nov 2013
Russell Finex has won a contract from Nestlé to supply separation equipment to help ensure product quality at its milk powder processing plant in Osorno, Chile.
The firm was chosen to supply screening operations in the dairy factory, having worked with Nestlé on previous projects.
Maintenance manager at Nestlé Jamie Sanchez says: “The on-going relationship is due not only to the high quality manufacture of all of Russell Finex’s separation equipment but also the accompanying documentation and certification that is provided.”
As well as the need for better technology, recent changes in industry practices have resulted in the need to screen milk powder products finer
The high quality of the separation equipment offered by Russell Finex is fundamental to the operation of the Nestlé factory because some firms have encountered problems when using rotary sifters to screen powders.
With the impeller forcing the powder through the mesh, product quality can be compromised as very little oversize is collected.
Most rotary sifters are supplied with nylon mesh which is prone to breakage. Therefore, there has been a move to use gravity fed circular vibratory sieves as an alternative.
To overcome the problem of mesh breakage, Russell Finex representatives suggested Nestlé use Russell Compact Sieves.
With three different milk product ranges being processed, and each requiring different flow rates, different sized Russell Compact Sieves, comprising of 600mm, 900mm and 1200mm diameter units, were supplied to each process line.
Additionally, recent changes in industry practices have resulted in the need to screen milk powder products finer. Traditionally 4mm aperture mesh (5 mesh) has been used but 2mm (10 mesh) is becoming more common practice.
“We required a sieving system that would enable us to check-screen the milk powder to meet the standard set not only by Nestlé but also by Chile and the countries the milk powder is being exported to.
“With the industry moving towards 2mm screening, it was important to choose a sieve that would meet this criteria without slowing down the production process,” Sanchez adds.
Russell Finex also fitted the machines with BFM connectors, a unique innovation designed to provide a hygienic connector system, allowing for easy removal for cleaning or replacement.
“[Russell Finex] not only helped us to meet our required capacity,” Sanchez says, “but has also provided a hygienic solution that is mandatory for the milk powder industry.”
