ECO-ICEPUSHTM – new ice pigging service for the food and beverage industry

Saving what is precious

GEA Process Engineering has introduced a new value-added service for its customers allowing them to improve performance by saving valuable product and money using a revolutionary method of purging process piping systems: ECO-ICEPUSHTM. The technology is new for the processing industry and will be presented for the first time at drinktec in Munich from 16-20 September.

Icepigging is a technique that is widely used in the water industry. GEA is now proposing ECO-ICEPUSHTM as a service to the processing industry and to customers keen to explore the benefits of this innovative method of recovery product losses. Customers will benefit from the attractive value proposition it offers in terms of performance and OEE (Overall Equipment Efficiency) improvements.

Many traditional systems use a standard pig that is forced through piping systems to scour any residual product from the inner walls of the pipes to recover product and prior to cleaning. However, traditional pigs cannot be used on tight-radius bends, through valve systems, in piping systems where the diameter of the pipe changes, or where the product flows through heat exchangers or other ancillary equipment. ECO-ICEPUSHTM however, takes all these obstacles in its stride.

Ice pigging technique forces an engineered two-phase ice slurry through process pipework to recover valuable product. Because the ice is kept in a fluid state it has the ability to reach every part of the system, even small, complex geometries. The sharpness of the ice as it passes the pipe inner surface recovers and separates product and significantly reduces effluent.

Typical applications for ECO-ICEPUSHTM include: the reduction of white water in dairies, better product recovery and better cleaning in brewery, juice and beverage plants, and many similar applications in the food, health and personal care industries. GEA is currently running trials with customers to perfect the process for each application and welcomes enquiries from plants interested in taking part.

The ECO-ICEPUSHTM service will not require capital expenditure from customers and will be guaranteed to show all customers a positive value proposition which will be covered by a service agreement in which performance improvement will be an essential part.

Key benefits of ECO-ICEPUSHTM include:

• Increased product yield through clear product separation and better product recovery;
• Complex geometries and difficult pipeline configurations present no problem;
• Minimal risk – if the ice pig were to get stuck, it will simply melt;
• Positive impact on cleaning times as it also acts as a highly efficient pipeline cleaning system compared to water flushing;
• Positive impact on the environment as effluent is reduced;
• Improved OEE.

Any company interested in benefiting from ECO-ICEPUSHTM should contact GEA directly or visit the GEA stand at drinktec Hall A4, stand number 314.