At AG retail partner Leo de Kock in Purmerend, automation and professionalization are top priorities. To make significant strides in optimizing and improving product handling, Leo de Kock invested in a fully automated crate unloading line at the infeed end (the starting point for potato processing), as well as a big bag unloading system and a crate filler. This increased potato processing capacity.
Unfortunately, the dust also became even more visible and noticeable as more potatoes were processed. All of Leo de Kock's investments are focused on the future. The health of their staff is, of course, a key factor.
Following the dust problem, Leo de Kock, the agricultural dust specialist, approached us, and we began working together to develop the ideal solution. By combining a fixed number of machines that are extracted at all times, with different sections of the line extracted only during certain operations, we created a flexible solution that operates efficiently at all times.
Because the specially developed PGF system (Compressed Air Cleaned Filter System, in which the filter cartridges are cleaned using compressed air) automatically ramps up and down based on the demand of the number of open extraction points, the machine is also more economical. This means the system automatically determines the required speed based on the number of active extraction points. This minimizes the load on the filters.
The fully filtered air is returned to the room, making potato processing comfortable for employees during the winter months. The PGF system extracts the contaminated air, which is at operating temperature, and returns it filtered and warm.
The photos below were taken before and after completion, clearly showing the shielding of the dust sources. By addressing the dust problem at its source, it is resolved as efficiently as possible.
We are proud to add Leo de Kock to our long list of references and to have supplied our installation on this efficient, future-oriented line.
