GEA Receives Order from Finnamyl in Finland for Drying Potato Protein - And Adds Value to a Co-Product Protein Stream
GEA Barr-Rosin has recently secured an order to supply Finnamyl Oy in Finland with a pneumatic drying and cooling system for potato protein. The new system will allow Finnamyl to process what would otherwise be an effluent stream from its potato starch plant, producing a valuable co-product.
Finnamyl produces potato starch and potato starch products for food and technical (mainly paper industry) applications. The starch plant also produces fruit water, a protein-containing stream which, being soluble, has traditionally been spread on fields as a fertilizer.Â
One of Finnamyl's main process concerns was the preparation of the wet feed, which is sticky and requires specialist expertise to handle and condition it before feeding to the dryer. A key feature of the GEA Barr-Rosin technology is its well proven feed preparation and dispersion system that promotes efficiency and product quality.
Potato protein is heat sensitive and the more effective the feed dispersion, the more surface area is available to promote near-instant heat and mass transfer; this prevents overheating and the risk of consequent protein heat degradation. In combination with the selective recycle features of the Ring Dryer, GEA Barr-Rosin was able to demonstrate the suitability of this technology and reference many other worldwide installations with similar, or even more challenging, applications.Â
According to Will Pullen, Market Manager for the Agrifood market for GEA Barr-Rosin, it was not just the technology and the company's practical experience that secured the contract. "It was very important for the customer that we have local support," he explained. "GEA Process Engineering in Helsinki is able to provide that support both during design, build and commissioning and for on-going maintenance during the whole life of the plant."
The new system will also be fitted with the company's robust CERTEX™ ATEX Certified Explosion Vent Doors. Being robust, these re-sealable, flush-fitting, self-insulated doors are not liable to the process thermal cycling and pressure fluctuations which regularly cause standard venting panels to fail, resulting in reliable dryer protection without the burdensome maintenance needs often found with standard venting panels. Â
The new plant will be commissioned in August 2015.
All business enquiries to:
Dominique Kuehner
Sales and Marketing Manager
+44 1628 641700
Email: dominique.kuehner@gea.com
Web: www.gea.com
About GEA Barr-Rosin
GEA Barr-Rosin, a member of the Process Engineering Segment of GEA Group, is a leading supplier of industrial drying systems, offering numerous technologies to dry wet materials, ranging from granules, cakes, sludges, powders and slurries. With thousands of references worldwide, GEA Barr-Rosin drives for excellence and maintains their leading position by continually focusing on product quality, system reliability, energy savings and emission control. For further information visit www.barr-rosin.com.
About GEA Process Engineering
GEA Process Engineering develops, designs and markets production plant equipment and processes for the dairy, brewery, food, pharmaceutical and chemical industries. With sales close to EUR 1.8 billion in 2013 and more than 5,900 employees working in more than 40 countries, GEA Process Engineering is recognised as a world leader within liquid processing, concentration, industrial drying, powder processing handling, emission control, solid dosage forms sterile products and aseptic packaging. GEA Process Engineering is a business segment of GEA Group, headquartered in Germany. For further information visit www.geap.com.
About GEA Group
GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft is one of the largest suppliers for the food processing industry and a wide range of other process industries. As an international technology group, the Company focuses on process technology and components for sophisticated production processes. In 2013, GEA generated consolidated revenues in excess of EUR 4.3 billion, more than 70 percent of which came from the food sector, which is a long-term growth industry. The group employed about 18,000 people worldwide as of December 31, 2013. GEA Group is a market and technology leader in its business areas. It is listed in Germany's MDAX stock index (G1A, WKN 660 200) and the STOXX® Europe 600 Index. Further information is available on the Internet at: www.gea.com.
