A large-scale agricultural and food production enterprise in China, with over 70 plants nationwide processing grains and seeds, was experiencing major challenges with a soybean powder production line in one of its factories.
Clamped sleeves on equipment in their primary screening room were unable to effectively contain the product inside the process.
Health And Safety Concern With Excessive Product Leakage
The old-style hose-clamped silicone flexibles posed a significant health hazard for staff.
Used to feed soy powder from a large silo into rotary sifters and then onto a screw conveyor, these connectors suffered from severe leakage, causing a constant build-up of product throughout the sifter room. The resultant dust in the environment was so extreme that staff couldn’t enter the room without a mask.
The presence of dust in the plant atmosphere was not only a serious concern for the health of the staff but also presented a potential explosion risk.
The frequent failures of the connectors also lowered production efficiency as staff spent hours each day cleaning up the wasted powder from the product leakage.
Concerned about the potential health and safety risks for their staff, the company contacted local authorized BFM® fitting Distributor Emborio (Shanghai) Ltd to help solve the problem.
BFM® fitting System Provided Dramatic Improvements
Emborio recommended installing BFM® fitting’s Seeflex 040E connectors on the transitions to and from the sifters. Due to the BFM® fitting snap-in connectors sitting inside the pipe, their internal fit seals the transition 100% making it a perfect solution for this company's product leakage problem.
The results have been dramatic.
Since installing the BFM® fittings in the primary screening room, the whole area has become a cleaner and healthier overall working environment. Staff can enter the room without wearing masks and no longer need to spend hours cleaning up spilled product.
The drastic reduction in dust in the environment has also helped reduce the risk of a combustible dust explosion.
Production efficiency and overall staff morale have risen significantly following these changes.
“We are really impressed with how much cleaner and more efficient the sieving room is since installing BFM®," the production manager commented.
"Staff are much happier and safer working in the environment and there’s no time or money lost cleaning up waste product.”
Connectors are also lasting significantly longer than the previous silicone versions, so there is less downtime needed for replacements.
Find out more about the benefits of BFM® fittings on sifters and sieves.
