Nothing Fishy About This Discharger!

At Skretting, the UK’s leading aquaculture feeds producer, the introduction of the Spiroflow Bulk Bag Discharger has transformed their production process – and there’s nothing fishy about this discharger! Previously hampered by a time-consuming ingredient discharge process, Skretting has now dramatically reduced discharge times. This efficiency boosts not only enhances productivity but also allows for better use of resources, highlighting Spiroflow’s impact in optimizing industrial operations.

Skretting Got a New Spiroflow Bulk Bag Unloader – And There’s Nothing Fishy About This Discharger!

Skretting is the UK’s and Ireland’s largest aquaculture feed producer and leads the market with innovative feeds and feeding expertise. It is part of the Nutreco group of companies that collectively operate in 22 countries, employs 12,000 people, and has a global turnover of 3.8 million euros. At their Longridge site, Skretting mainly produces varieties of feed for industrial trout farming but also some for salmon. Between them, the 30 employees produce an annual output of 24,000 thousand tonnes. That’s around 100 tonnes per working day – no wonder they needed a more efficient bulk bag discharger!

The operatives at fish food manufacturer Skretting of Longridge, Lancashire, UK, think that their new Spiroflow Bulk Bag Discharger is “wicked” – which, roughly translated, means that they are delighted with the way it performs! It used to take them 25 to 30 minutes to discharge each of the 11 ingredients used in the production of fish feed for industrial fish farming. Now one-tonne bulk bags (FIBCs) are discharged in around 5 minutes.

Over eight years ago, a specialized contractor installed the materials handling system at Skretting, incorporating a basic bulk bag unloading setup that channeled ingredients into a Spiroflow Aero-Mechanical Conveyor. This conveyor system elevates the materials to a horizontal flexible screw conveyor above, equipped with 11 outlets that distribute the ingredients into designated storage bunkers. Subsequently, the precise amounts of these ingredients are blended in a mixer, then formed into pellets and prepared for shipment.

What Was Skretting’s Problem, and How Did Spiroflow Solve It?

Before Spiroflow’s industrial conveyor systems, the fundamental issue in the production line was a basic bulk bag unloading mechanism, which was a significant bottleneck and a source of ongoing frustration for the staff. Consisting merely of a hopper with a lid and a spigot for attaching the bulk bag’s neck, this setup necessitated a forklift to remain onsite throughout the unloading process to support the bag. Moreover, a worker needed to be available to assist with the movement of products that were difficult to discharge or had become compacted.

As Production Manager Bill Edmondson comments, “There is just no comparison with the previous system. Our new ‘Spiroflow’ Discharger has enabled us to increase productivity, and we can use the forklift truck for other duties whilst the bulk bags are being emptied – not that that takes long.”

Spiroflow Bulk Bag Discharger in the Skretting Facility – How Does It Work?

The ‘Spiroflow’ Bulk Bag Discharger supplied to Skretting is specifically designed for applications with restricted headroom. At Skretting, there is a mezzanine floor area directly above the location of the bulk bag discharger, which makes it almost impossible to lift full bags into the discharger safely. 

Spiroflow’s model T5 discharger has two sections. The upper section, which holds the bags, is lifted off at its base and lowered to ground level. Here, by way of a lifting frame, full bags can be loaded by a forklift truck whose forks only have to be raised a little higher than the height of the bag and its extended lifting loops. Once the bag is safely in place, the top section is lifted via the fork channels at its base back onto the business section of the discharger – and locked into place. 

There Are No Dust Emissions With This Bulk Bag Discharger in Place

There is a dust-tight docking seal between the upper and lower sections. An access door in the discharger hopper allows the bag to be untied without emissions or spillage. Once the bag is untied, flow begins, and this door is closed. Pneumatically operated bag base massagers have been fitted to the lower half of the discharger at Skretting. 

They are there to deal with any products that are poorly flowing or which have become compacted during transit. It is these base massagers that make it essential that the two sections of the discharger are locked together. The model T5 discharger boasts the same spring-loaded side tension arms as all other models in the range. These raise the bulk bag as it empties, helping to ensure complete discharge on the one hand and preventing the neck of the bag from sagging into the conveyor below on the other.

Reach Out to Spiroflow for All Your Conveying Needs – We Offer Top-Notch Industrial Conveyor Systems

At Spiroflow, we understand the critical importance of efficient, reliable conveyor solutions in industrial operations. Our extensive range of top-notch conveyor technologies, from conveyor belts to flexible screw conveyor systems, is designed to meet the diverse needs of various sectors, including food, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and more. 

With innovation at our core, we offer customizable solutions that ensure seamless material handling, enhance productivity and maintain the highest safety standards. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your existing setup or implement a new conveying system, Spiroflow is your ideal partner. Contact us for expert advice, superior quality conveyors, and exceptional service tailored to fulfill all your conveying needs.

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