New Global Hygienic Airlock Designed for High Process Rates

Press Release Summary:

  • Features rail system consisting of external mounted precision shafts
  • Equipped with VID system to protect airlock from damage and prevent product contamination
  • Ideal for dry raw or finished products and where inspection or system clean-out are required

Original Press Release:

New USDA Dairy Accepted Airlock for Hygienic Applications

The Global Hygienic Airlock (GHA) is a USDA Dairy accepted dismountable airlock that is ideal for applications where dry raw or finished products are being handled in the process and where inspection or system clean-out are required. Because the GHA is designed for high process rates it possesses a number of features suited to processes that have a higher sanitary requirement.

The round inlets and outlets of the GHA incorporate seals and product contact surfaces that meet food safety requirements. FDA and EC 1935/2004 approved materials are used in the product contact areas. Endplates and the rotor can be disassembled and removed from the valve housing for cleaning. All endplates have specifically been designed for access to the seal area for cleaning or seal replacement. Upon reassembly, the rotor end clearances can be adjusted and set through by use of the integral adjustment screws included in each endplate.

A unique feature of the GHA is the rail system consisting of externally mounted precision shafts, which are fixed to the tail side endplate on one end and are supported by special composite linear bearings pressed into the valve housing on the other. The endplate/rotor assembly can be unbolted from the housing and the assembly can be pulled from the housing and drive coupling while still remaining rigid to the housing via the rail system. These features simplify removal and provide access to the internal valve cavity, rotor pockets and all other product contact areas for quick and easy cleaning. Once the cleaning process is complete, the endplate/rotor assembly simply slides back into place through use of the rail system and is secured with the supplied fasteners.

The GHA comes equipped with a Valve Interference Detection (VID) system that is designed to protect the airlock from damage and prevent product contamination due to interference between the valve rotor and housing. The VID system employs ceramic bearings and other innovative techniques to electrically isolate the moving rotor from the valve housing and drive system. A simple electronic evaluation unit monitors the resistance between the rotor and housing allowing it to determine if the circuit is functioning properly and if the rotor is contacting the housing.

With a number of features designed to meet hygienic process requirements along with acceptance by the USDA Dairy Grading Branch the new GHA serves as an integral component to systems designed for sanitary applications.

About Schenck Process

Schenck Process is a leading global provider of sustainable products, integrated solutions and services in mission critical applications for bulk materials. Headquartered in Darmstadt, Germany the Group has 2,800 employees with a presence in over 20 countries across five continents focused on the food, mining, chemicals and performance materials, and infrastructure and energy market segments.

The product offering includes solution for industrial weighing, feeding, conveying, pulverizing and classification, screening, mixing and blending and associated digital applications.

The Group was acquired by Blackstone International in 2017 and generated revenues of nearly €600m for the year ended 31 December 2020.

For further company news and information, please visit www.schenckprocess.com/us

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