Challenge

Process Instruments Solutions was set the challenge to accurately weigh the relatively small batches of parsnips which were being delivered to a vegetable packing plant. The vegetables have to be cleaned to remove mud and stones.

The company wanted to log the difference between the weighbridge load and the delivered load after washing so they pay only for the vegetables and not the accompanying mud and stones. This has long been an issue and something the plant was keen to address with technological advancements in industry instrumentation.

Solution

Payback of the installation of these instruments in the plant has been rapid due to the accuracy and repeatability of the Siemens Milltronics WD600 flat bed belt weigh scale, the Siemens BW500L belt weigher electronics, Siemens Milltronics TASS speed sensor and the Metronics DL2 datalogger.

The newly installed belt weigher operates with a belt scale and a speed sensor belt load and speed signals are processed for accurate flow rate and totalised weight of bulk solids. The BW500L can take on lower level control functions which are usually operated by other mechanisms or instruments.

All of these instruments were installed by Process Instruments, adapting the frame of the conveyor and commissioned using calibration chains.

These well-established instruments are relatively uncomplicated to install and are calibrated by the Process Instruments Services team.

Result

Plant Manager says: “Since the new belt weigh scales and sensors have been utilised the plant has seen a dramatic increase in the accuracy of data logging which has made a big difference to the overall efficiency of the Plant.”

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