Case Study: Leaks From Gas Purging Solved For Dairy Processor

BFM® connectors installed on a dairy bin activator

Dairy Better Hygiene Achieved Under Pressure

A leading New Zealand dairy plant had a major challenge with hygiene in their blending filler room.

A vibratory discharging cone was connected to the hopper via a traditional connecting sock and steel clamps. Regular gas purging of the system caused excessive dust leakage and product build-up in the joins – a major hygiene issue.

Since installing the BFM® fitting system, the room is clean and there has been a significant reduction in both downtime and replacement costs.

The Challenge

The regular gas purging of the system forced powder through small gaps in the old-style sock and steel clamp connector.

This caused an unhygienic environment and hours of downtime for regular cleaning. There was also a major contamination point created by significant product build-up between the externally fitted sock and hopper.

It was highly time-consuming to remove and re-fit the steel strapping clamps during sock cleaning & replacement.

The BFM® Solution

The installation of a BFM® fitting for both the upper and lower connections has created a sealed system, and the filling room is now a dust-free environment.

The pressure from the gas purging no longer causes product leakage, and because the fitting sits inside the spigot, there is no product build-up at the connector joins.

When the fittings do need replacing, it’s now a quick and easy snap-fit process.

Benefits Achieved

Improved Hygiene

There is no more dust leakage, eliminating cross-contamination of products and reducing general housekeeping costs.

Quick Changeovers

The quick and easy snap-fit of our BFM® blue band connector means they are fast and simple for all staff to replace.

Better Health & Safety

A dramatic reduction in dust in the environment has helped reduce the risk of a combustible dust explosion occurring.

Reduced Downtime

More durable materials and fast, easy changeovers mean downtime is significantly reduced.

What the client said about BFM®

The filling room operators are ecstatic about how their work environment is now dust-free and a “pleasure to work in”.

They no longer spend hours cleaning powder off the surfaces in the filling room or have to regularly remove the messy wire-clamps and socks from the machinery to remove the product build-up between the connectors.

- Production Manager