For a customer in the food industry, EMHA replaced an existing loading and unloading station serving ten silos with a completely new system. Each silo was provided with its own stainless steel filling line, allowing products to be pumped directly from the truck into the correct silo. This reduces the risk of cross-contamination and simplifies maintenance.
Situation
The existing installation distributed products to ten silos through four pipelines and several three-way valves. This configuration required regular maintenance and created a risk of residual product remaining in valves and pipelines, potentially entering the wrong silo during a subsequent unloading operation.
The objective was to create a safer and simpler system with a direct connection between the unloading point and each individual silo.
- Reduced risk of cross-contamination
- Less maintenance on valves and pipework
- Safer and more practical unloading in different weather conditions
Approach
EMHA realised a new configuration in which each silo has its own stainless steel filling line. This allows the product to flow directly from the truck to the selected silo without passing through three-way valves. The stainless steel hygienic pipework was largely prefabricated and assembled in our workshop before installation on site.
EMHA also fabricated and installed a fully enclosed stainless steel unloading station, allowing operators to connect pump hoses and replace point filters while protected from rain and other weather conditions.
For maintenance of the new pinch valves and removal of the upper pipe bends, EMHA designed and fabricated two stainless steel platforms. The structures were engineered and built in accordance with NEN 1090, including strength and buckling stability calculations.
- Ten individual stainless steel filling lines
- Prefabrication of pipework and unloading station
- Covered unloading area for improved working conditions
- Two stainless steel maintenance platforms in accordance with NEN 1090
Result
The customer now has a more straightforward loading and unloading station, with each silo supplied through its own dedicated filling line. This significantly reduces the risk of residual product and cross-contamination while eliminating maintenance-intensive three-way valves from the process.
The covered unloading station and maintenance platforms also improve accessibility and working conditions. The new system combines product quality, easier maintenance and safety in one practical solution.
- Reduced risk of cross-contamination
- Fewer maintenance-intensive components
- Improved accessibility for operation and maintenance
- Durable stainless steel construction
