Challenge:
Tiptree approached Martec to help overcome specific concerns they had with an existing pigging system. The system, installed almost 10 years ago, had been designed around a sphere shape pig which was susceptible to damage and had an ineffective cleaning capability; there were concerns with pigs getting stuck. Since the supplier had gone out of business, it was also proving difficult to obtain replacement pigs. Tiptree had a clear understanding of the inherent business benefits that recovering product during batch changes provided but needed a more reliable and effective solution.
Solution:
Martec’s initial concept was merely to supply the MarplugTM as a replacement pig. However, an additional drawback of the original system was that, due to the inline design of the launch station, the pig was permanently in contact with product, even throughout normal production. It was decided that replacing the launch and receive stations would ensure the provision of a state of the art system, meeting current best practice and designed specifically for the hygienic food production context.
Martec worked with the incumbent control system specialists to re-programme software and ensure control of the speed of the MarplugTM to address damage that was evidenced with the original system. An installation partner company was introduced to Tiptree to professionally install pipework and the components of the Product Recovery System.
Benefits:
Bringing a dependable pigging system into operation allowed Tiptree to continue to enjoy cost savings and flexibility of production. A maintenance contract would result in transfer of responsibility for on-going system performance to the technical specialist know-how provided by Martec.