Gemco Valve Project Manager, Jim Lenihan, recently returned from Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil where he supervised the commissioning of a double dump airlock on a vacuum dryer at the start-up of a Soy Protein Concentrate plant there. The new facility was built for Archer Daniels Midland by Gemco Valve client, Crown Iron Works – Roseville, MN and Crown Iron Technologias Ltda. of Sao Paulo. In a pre-build press release, Matt Jansen, ADM senior vice president and president, Oilseeds, indicated the complex was planned to manufacture a range of functional protein concentrates and isolates and complement North American production. The Campo Grande plant will allow the agribusiness giant to produce those ingredients locally, and more efficiently serve the growing protein needs of their food and beverage customers in South America.
While in Brazil, Lenihan also visited Intecnial S.A., an engineering company located in Erechim, which fabricates and installs industrial plants in South America. “Intecnial worked with Crown Iron Works,” said Jim Lenihan. “They handle service and maintenance of Gemco Valves and airlocks in South America. This was a great opportunity for in-person, on-site training of their engineers and maintenance staff. We appreciate the chance to provide service and support for our international customers, and strengthen our cooperative, global relationships.”
Pictured is the newly commissioned 16″ double dump airlock for continuous feeding of product to a vacuum dryer. The airlock consists of two Gemco Valves with sanitary features; internal surfaces #7 mirror polished and CIP spray nozzles; operated by two actuators for balanced torque operation of the valves. All electrical controls meet Brazil’s INMETRO standards.
