petfoodpro 3/2023

PROCESSING
purpose, the seals on the mixing unit
and choppers are switched from their
usual gas flush to a water flush to prevent
ingress of cleaning water into the seals.
The horizontal mixer itself is cleaned
successively from top to bottom. For this
purpose, all inlets on top of the machine
are equipped with cleaning nozzles, which
are either fixed in place on the inside of
the inlet or can be positioned on the inlet
by means of a washing adapter. It is also
possible to install automated retractable
cleaning nozzles. Filters are generally
completely moistened while installed and
then removed for further cleaning (e.g. in
a dishwasher or an ultrasonic bath).
The washing water used for cleaning the
inlets is collected in the mixing drum and
later used for cleaning the mixing vessel,
which requires a filling level of 20 - 30%
with cleaning fluid. Cleaning of the mixing
drum itself is carried out by means of the
mixing elements, which effectively ensure
intensive and turbulent contact between
the mixing drum and the cleaning liquid
in forward and reverse operation. If
necessary, any product residue remaining
in the mixer can be soaked during this
process. Mixing systems with higher
volumes use rotating targeted jet cleaners
to clean the drum in order to maintain
sustainable levels of water volume used
per cleaning cycle. For this process it
is possible to use both fresh water and
closed loop circulation mode.
Automatic cleaning of the mixer discharge
is a demanding task. The reason for this
is the more complex geometry of the
discharge door, drive shaft and sealing
surfaces. A combination of static cleaning
nozzles and a centrally located rotating
spray ball as well as opening and closing
the door in interval mode have proven
successful for intense cleaning of all
surfaces. Any waste water created by the
cleaning process is discharged through
a drainage cone installed at the mixer
discharge.
Complete solution from a single
source
However, Lödige does not only supply
the mixer(s). As a solution provider, the
company also implements entire machine
lines. In the case of a production machine
line for veterinary chewable tablets,
such a complete solution also includes,
in particular, the complete dosing,
temperature control, regulation and
control technology for the raw materials
according to CFR 21 part11 as well as
the piping (also temperature controlled),
the melting container, the installations
for weighing and adding the individual
ingredients. Lödige accompanies the
customer during the implementation of
the entire machine line from planning to
commissioning, in particular also during
the qualification process and subsequent
documentation.
Technology & Marketing
Source for the above market figures:
• https://www.zzf.de/marktdaten/derinternationale-heimtiermarkt
• https://www.verbaende.
com/news/pressemitteilung/
interzoo-2022-versammelt-dieinternationale-heimtierbranche-innuernberg-148260/
For more information
www.loedige.de
Issue 3 2023
25