Case Study

McVities new inline cooling systems

Overview

Client: McVities

Industry: Food

Project Overview: Improved line efficiencies deliver 24/7 production capacity for global snack and biscuits manufacturer

Outcomes

  • Existing conveyors re-used
  • Minimum downtime to convert
  • 24/7 operation now possible
  • Client able to realise their return on investment
  • Expertly designed to enable easy access for service and maintenance

Challenges

McVitie’s (Pladis) wanted to increase the rate of production to improve line efficiencies and overall output. The brand’s main problem was that existing cooling systems were unable to cope with the demands of a production environment.

It was agreed that new inline cooling systems should be installed on to the existing process. The only space available to implement the new kit was on a high floor, presenting problems of access that we endeavored to fix.

Solutions

The client commissioned Penmann to undertake extensive cooling trials to establish both the cooling properties of the product and the performance of the existing systems. We designed a two-zone system, with each zone served by a dedicated air handling unit.

Conditioned air was distributed onto the product using impingement cooling plenums. These were located beneath insulated conveyor covers, which are light and easily removable. The system was successfully and safely installed, to the satisfaction of the client.

Conclusion

By implementing a two-zone cooling system with dedicated air handling units and impingement cooling plenums, we enabled 24/7 production capacity for McVitie’s (Pladis). The innovative design allowed for the reuse of existing conveyors and ensured minimal downtime during the conversion process. The conditioned air distribution and easily removable insulated conveyor covers facilitated easy access for service and maintenance. This solution not only met the client’s production demands but also allowed them to realise a significant return on investment through improved line efficiencies and increased overall output.