Since 2006, we've been working with our client in North Yorkshire to support their production of high-quality micronised cereals and pulses for the animal feed and brewing industries. Recently, we have been completing key projects at their mill to enhance their facility’s efficiency and safety, including upgrading a grinder discharge elevator with new explosion protection features, and replacing a damaged cyclone to prevent water ingress and improve air expulsion.
Part 1: Grinder Discharge Elevator Upgrade
What was the problem?
The elevator from the grinder in the feed mill was showing significant signs of corrosion due to age and was reaching the end of its usable life. An integral component of the daily production process, this elevator is used to transport product vertically from the grinder to the next process in the mill. The elevators belt and buckets were also worn and required replacing, presenting the opportunity to upgrade the elevator.
What was our solution?
We designed a like for like replacement with additional explosion protection. This was then manufactured at our facility in York, and we delivered to our customers site before being installed by our highly skilled Installation Engineers. The additional explosion protection features include flameless vents, belt alignment sensors, belt underspeed monitors, and bearing temperature sensors. The benefit of this is the customer now has the capability of monitoring potential ignition sources in line with the ATEX directive for safe practices in potentially explosive atmospheres.
How did we do it?
We worked with the customer to plan the installation around their production demands to ensure minimal disruption. As our Project Managers oversee all projects throughout, they organised a hired in crane from one of our approved suppliers, Emsley Crane Hire, which was used to lift the existing elevator from the mill. Our engineers installed the elevator boot manually, and the crane then lifted the legs and head into position. We also completed the crane lift plans and risk assessments, signed off by our internal Appointed Person for Crane Operations: having the capability of doing this in house rather than arranging a contract lift means that we maintain control of the project from the initial inquiry, all the way through to final sign off.
Look out for part 2 of this case study in November to read about the cyclone upgrade.