FLUID HANDLING
SEEPEX RISES TO THE CHALLENGE OF VISCOUS
WASTE AT CIABATTA BREAD FACTORY
An on-site trial at a ciabatta bakery has
demonstrated that it is possible to pump
viscous, sticky dough products, even
when mixed with baked bread. SEEPEX
UK’s enclosed, automated waste removal
solution has optimised the bakery’s waste
handling process, reducing labour and
improving hygiene levels.
The bakery owners identified the manual
removal of waste bread and dough as
an inefficient task. When looking for an
alternative solution to reduce manpower,
improve hygiene standards and optimise
the waste removal process, they
approached progressive cavity (PC) pump
supplier, SEEPEX UK.
The challenge was not just that dough is
a difficult substance to pump but also, the
variety of materials being handled. Dough
is highly viscous; fresh bread is light and
compressible; and waste bread is hard and
non-flowable.
SEEPEX’s solution comprises a BTM
open hopper pump with integral static
and rotating knives. It also includes an
auger that mixes the different products
and prevents them from bridging in the
hopper. The product is then transferred
through enclosed pipework into removal
lorries.
The existing manual system often caused
waste product to fall onto the factory floor,
creating an unhygienic and hazardous
environment. Movement of waste from
production areas to the outside of the
bakery also presented hygiene problems.
In contrast, the only open part of the new
solution is the hopper, meaning there is
no need for anyone to enter and exit the
factory. The reduction in spillage keeps the
factory floor clean and tidy.
The fully automated solution only requires
one person to load product into the
hopper, freeing resources for production.
Furthermore, the pump only runs when
there is product to handle, making it
extremely energy-efficient.
www.seepex.com
HANDLE VISCOUS, STICKY AND
NON-FLOWABLE PRODUCTS.
SEEPEX’s pumping solutions with open hopper and auger feed screw simplify product transfer and
waste removal as well as being safer, more hygienic and cost-eff icient than conventional methods
such as conveyors, vacuum systems, water fl umes and tote bins.
Handle up to 80% solids content
Optimised feed hopper
prevents bridging
Modular system enables customisation
Optional knife system for
cutting within the pump
Easy maintenance
Increased productivity
SEEPEX UK Ltd.
[email protected]
www.seepex.com
Issue 39 PECM
87