Koudijs Animal Nutrition invests in contaminaztion-Free Z-Conveyor by Puth for premium piglet feed factory in Andel
Koudijs Animal Nutrition produces animal feed, concentrates and premixesexclusively for (inter)national compound feed producers. For its exclusive premium piglet feed factory in Andel Koudijs has invested in the new contamination-free Z-Conveyor by Poeth that enables the complete unloading of light, fine premix powders. An important investment for the premium piglet feed factory of Koudijs where everything revolves around predictability, reproducibility and quality. Every grain, every kilogramme and every tonne of feed in this factory must be homogeneous and of exactly the required composition and in addition to this produced time and again in precisely the same hygienic way.
Empty tanks, silos and transport systems completely to prevent carry-over
Piglets eat differently to older pigs and also have a sensitive digestive tract that is still fully in the development phase. The Koudijs factory in Andel is based on a number of crucial production factors that fulfil very specifically the feed requirements of young piglets. These factors focus on creating a constant taste and homogenous composition of every grain and every batch of feed and on achieving a high level of hygiene to prevent infections and allergies in young animals. In its premium piglet feed factory in Andel Koudijs therefore has a very strict policy for the storage, handling and dosing of raw materials. This means that tanks and silos are always first completely emptied and thoroughly cleaned before being filled with new stocks to prevent carry-over.
Light powders are more difficult to empty when using traditional bucket elevators
The traditional bucket elevator system that transported the light, fine premix powders was a point in need of attention at the Koudijs premium piglet feed factory. This transport system where buckets are moved forward on a belt or chain works best with products with a minimal weight. Using centrifugal force products are then thrown out of the buckets with good results. But in practice it was found that Koudijs’s light, fine premix powders did not weigh enough. Consequently product residues were always left behind in Koudijs’s traditional bucket elevator. These residues fell back into the elevator base via the elevator shaft, thus limiting production capacity. In addition, the problem resulted in time-consuming cleaning work after every product change.
Dust-free, hygienic transport thanks to completely sealed housing
The new Z-Conveyor by Poeth was specially developed for the hygienic transport of light, fine powders in the vertical, diagonal or horizontal direction. The innovative transport system consists of plastic flights that move forward on a chain within an enclosed trough. The new Z-Conveyor by Poeth was specially developed for the hygienic transport of light, fine powders in the vertical, diagonal or horizontal direction. The innovative transport system consists of plastic flights that move forward on a chain within an enclosed trough and at the unloading point “fall” gently out of the transport system. Poeth’s Z-Conveyor is therefore ideal for use with light, fine products. With the Z-Conveyor the flights are hermetically sealed with the transport shaft and base and this minimises the amount of product remaining behind or falling back into the transport system. This means that the Z-Conveyor is suitable for the complete emptying of transport systems without capacity loss or contamination.
High capacity and explosion safety as additional advantages
As Poeth’s Z-Conveyor has an excellent performance at speeds < 1 m/s, the risk of explosion is eliminated; this means that costly investment in ATEX-compliant safety systems is not needed with this type of conveyor. With its clever design the Poeth’s Z-Conveyor has a high loading capacity (45 m3 to 220 m3 per hour). Koudijs has increased its capacity with the innovative Z-Conveyor.
A customer-oriented approach that is bearing fruit
Koudijs’s new piglet feed factory in Andel has been in operation since 2014. After two years’ practical experience the balance sheet is very positive and confirms the results of the previous study. Compound feed producers throughout the whole of Europe are now supplied by Andel and are producing healthier, better performing modern piglets at a competitive cost price.
Source Poeth Solids Processing
