HAP 0921

HYDRAULICS A sophisticated chopping, pumping and waste removal solution from progressive cavity (PC) pump specialist Seepex UK is making light work of previously challenging by-products from whole chickens, potatoes and cabbages to peelings and fruit stones. The BTM range is not only cutting food producers costs, it’s also improving their standards of hygiene and health & safety. Waste is an unavoidable part of the production process at fruit, vegetable and poultry processing facilities. Whether in the form of trimmings, wash residue and by-products, or as a result of off- specification batches, overproduction or expired goods, it must be handled within strict sanitary guidelines and quickly removed from production areas. Not only does this free capacity so that primary processing operations can continue, but waste and by-products can also create an additional revenue stream as animal feed or compost, or to generate renewable energy. This makes their efficient removal and swift onward transfer even more important to manufacturers’ bottom lines. However, some waste products are notoriously difficult to handle. Large, highly viscous or non-flowable foodstuffs can prove particularly challenging: for example, whole chickens; chicken frames, heads, feet and necks; whole cabbages or potatoes; and fruit stones, seeds and peels from vegetables and fruit. As a result, some operators still rely on traditional methods to remove them from the production area. It is not uncommon to find conveyor belts, compressed air systems, vacuums, water flumes, and manual handling via waste containers such as tote bins being used even at large food production factories. These methods can be inefficient, unsanitary and expensive. Automated, all-in-one alternative Fortunately, there are sophisticated, hygienic and cost-effective alternatives on the market. Seepex BTM pump range is one such option. The patented chopping Hard-to-handle fruit, veg & poultry waste proves easy pickings for Seepex BTM pumps 22 HYDRAULICS & PNEUMATICS September 2021 www.hpmag.co.uk Seepex PC pumps are used in poultry processing and for the efficient and cost-effective removal of by-products and waste.