Food & Drink Processing & Packaging Issue 52 2024 | Page 33

Like many byproducts of the meat industry , seafood waste is incredibly rich in collagen — one of the most abundant proteins in the body .
Chemical Society ’ s report describes as , “ the most valuable of the macronutrients from both an economic and human diet perspective .”
A leading manufacturer of premium dry pet foods , based in the UK , sought to address how food protein waste was being handled in its production line . They needed a different approach : processing cold press and raw meat into an additive and incorporating this into its kibble . The result was a nutritionally rich pet food containing the right levels of protein content .
Extracting protein
To achieve this , the protein would be extracted through specialised processes . The screening of waste — containing residues from the bulk product — would then be recycled back into production in order to ‘ close the loop ’ on waste . This scheme underlined the manufacturer ’ s strong dedication to sustainable business practices .
However , the conscientious approach would necessitate quality control screening processes . It would also require feeding / conveying equipment provided by a material handling specialist .
Vibratory linear screen
A comprehensive system was developed , incorporating a vibratory linear screen , a fines removal screw conveyor , gravity fed Z configured Swinglink ® bucket elevator and supporting platforms . The equipment , designed for cleanliness , featured a combination of powder coated mild steel and stainless steel . Additional elements included roller stops , pneumatic slide valves and vibration isolation components — all aimed to deliver the desired quality product to the packing lines .
Crucial to the new system was a vibratory linear screen used to separate fine particles . The screen was equipped with twin sidemounted vibratory motors and Rosta Suspension Mounts and sized to the correct product throughput , designed to provide suitable separation .
The screen is designed to offer product screening and feeding in one system , increasing the quality and value of product through the screening of unwanted sizes . The vibratory linear screen would be essential to maintaining the kibble product prior to bagging , keeping it to the highest quality assured particle sizes . Additional options included screening meshes that could be replaced for cleaning and maintenance .
Designing the system
Gough ’ s design engineers worked closely with the customer to
design the system to suit its unique requirements . Gough Engineering generated and submitted detailed engineering drawings . This was followed by manufacture , assembly and testing at its in-house factory to verify that the system aligned with the customer ’ s unique requirements .
The final step involved on-site installation and optimisation using SolidWorks and 3D concepts , guaranteeing a seamless fit within the company ’ s existing infrastructure . This customised approach allowed Gough to adapt its screens , conveyors , and feeding systems to precisely cater to the pet food manufacturer ’ s unique requirements .
With Gough Engineering ’ s tailored solutions in place , the customer achieved a notable throughput of around 17 tonnes per hour . The screens , conveyors , and feeding mechanisms integrated into the customer ’ s modern pet food production line . As the world grapples with the challenges of animal waste and associated environmental impacts , Gough Engineering ’ s support of the UK pet food manufacturer shows how conscious choices and strategic partnerships can help extract and combine protein ’ s benefits with dried pet foods .
To learn more about Gough Engineering ’ vibratory sieving solutions for manufacturing pet foods , visit its website .
www . goughengineering . com
The food manufacturer approached Gough Engineering . To support the customer with its new production requirements , Gough designed a scheme / system comprising various vibration screening , conveyors and feeding systems . Specifically , Gough ’ s offerings included linear screens for quality control screening and bucket elevator systems . The bucket elevators would gently handle and feed the product , by gravity from an elevated output , to the final bagging and packing processes .
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