Souper safe vacuums
August 1st 2006 A new production line and overall safety review at Campbell Soup's Worksop factory led to a novel application of Nilfisk ALTO's ATEX-approved ATTIX 792-2M/B1 vacuums
The Worksop factory, makes and packages OXO cubes, gravy granules, powdered soups and a wide range of sauces and noodles products. Flour and other dry ingredients are used constantly, calling for special cleaning to ensure hygiene and maintain health and safety standards, especially in and around feed-hoppers, mixer stations and granule discharge stations many of which are on mezzanine gantries.
The company was commissioning a new production line involving potentially combustible dusts, therefore needing an ATEX-compliant solution. It was also conducting a risk assessment across the entire factory. "After we saw a demonstration of the the Nilfisk-ALTO machines, we decide to use the same models throughout, even though some will be operating in less hazardous areas," says Project Manager Jon Wilson. "The machines have provided an effective answer to our needs."
Because of the factory layout, a centralised system was considered impractical and costly. Instead Campbell's opted for seven 110v ATTIX 791 -2M/B1 mobile vacuums for flexibility to meet all cleaning requirements. To reach the mezzanine gantries where regular cleaning is needed, Nilfisk-ALTO proposed the use of 50mm galvanised steel vacuum ducting. The safety vacuum is left at floor level, plugged into a vertical steel duct, while cleaning is undertaken on the upper levels using a flexible hose plugged into the top end of the ducting. The pipework, which came in kit form, was able to be installed by the factory pipe fitter.
At 605x580x970mm, Nilfisk-ALTO claims its 791-2M/B1 is the smallest ATEX-approved machine on the market. It has special conductive accessories and is designed to operate safely in all environments to Type 22. Its long-life 1,200W motor produces and airflow of 3,400 litres a minute and a vacuum of 250mbar. Available in 110v and 230v versions, both of which feature an easy-empty tilting 70l container. More articles from Nilfisk-ALTO: | 
