NEW PRODUCT RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT 11
Miniature-scale processing for research and product development
I
n the food and beverage industry, Many manufacturers consider it a more According to Armfield’s Managing
most research and development cost-effective option; not only delivering Director, Chris Addis, a number of specific
work is carried out in the laboratory. significant savings on the equipment itself, considerations are made in the design
However, when it comes to producing test but also requiring minimal quantities of of miniature-scale systems, such as “the
quantities and samples of new products, product and enabling fast turnaround on need for greater versatility, and accuracy
many manufacturers rely on production trials. As a result, many manufacturers also in data logging, to enable developers to
equipment – resulting in considerable benefit from the creative freedom that experiment with various formulations and
downtime on the production floor. Not these systems afford product developers. processing methods and remain confident
only does this hold significant that results can be used for scale-up
cost implications, but product to production equipment.”
developers are restricted in terms To validate the effectiveness
of the number of trials they can of laboratory systems, Mr Addis
run, and therefore how well they explains that “all properties of a
are able to optimise products and product must remain consistent,
production processes. with no significant difference
Other manufacturers opt for between samples taken from
pilot-plant equipment in order production and miniature-scale
to avoid interrupting production equipment. Our modern systems
schedules. However, the cost facilitate laboratory trials that
of maintaining a pilot-plant are repeatable and replicate all
facility can prove prohibitive; the characteristics of a product –
equipment can be very expensive, including taste, texture, colour,
and its size often necessitates a
Fig. 1. Miniature-scale equipment allows developers to
composition and shelf-life.”
large facility and additional staff to
set up a full production line in a controlled laboratory
In an industry and economy
assist in its operation.
environment.
where innovation and efficiency are
An alternative approach is to use Miniature-scale equipment critical to success, it would be no surprise
miniature-scale equipment, with the ability manufacturer Armfield are the most to see many more product developers
to replicate production processes, for established in this field, offering a ‘scale-down’ to miniature-scale processing
scale up directly from the laboratory to comprehensive selection of laboratory for research and product development. p
production plant. systems suitable for research and
Enter 11 or
Miniature-scale processing has steadily development applications including
✔
at www.scientistlive.com/efood
grown in popularity, and a wide range of ingredients, beverages, liquid foods, dairy Armfield Limited is based in Ringwood,
associated equipment is now available. products, edible oils and pharmaceuticals. Hampshire, UK. www.armfield.co.uk
Progressing cavity pump improves food plant's effluent treatment
H
eadland Foods, the manufacturer of frozen own label the waste water and sludge to allow the water to be discharged
ready meals, has specified a high performance Compact C back into the main waste water disposal system and comply with
Range progressing cavity (PC) pump from NOV Mono to reduce local water authority disposal limits.
maintenance and improve process efficiency at its production plant The Compact C progressing cavity pump range has been
in Flintshire, Scotland. engineered to fit into compact spaces while reliably performing
Before the Mono progressing cavity pump was installed, the to the maximum duty requirements of the application. The pump
company was experiencing problems with drive pins shearing on its uses positive displacement for process control, variable speed for
existing pump, which was supplied by an OEM competitor. accurate dosing and features a suction lift capability of over eight
To provide a solution, Headland Foods specified Mono’s Compact metres.
C Range pump, which has been installed in a DAF (Dissolved Air This high pressure pump eliminates the need for a series of
Flotation) Plant to transfer a liquor of floc and water, a product of pumps when pumping over long distances and the gentle pumping
its effluent treatment plant. action minimises shear or crush damage to maintain product
The Mono pump is controlled by level probes in a tank situated integrity.
directly above the pump’s suction and the liquor is discharged into Low running speeds and an option of a square inlet and
either a 6 metre high tank for disposal or back into the effluent conveyor to assist viscous slurries into the pumping element make
treatment system. it is suitable for abrasive applications. p
Food companies often install a DAF plant when a lot of process
water is used during production. The plants remove particles from For more information, visit www.mono-pumps.com
www.setform.com/food
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