The Admix Fastfeed System – Revolutionizing Batching
The Admix Fastfeed powder induction and dispersion system consistently delivers smooth product for any batch size at controlled feed rates up to 450 pounds per minute in a single pass. With hundreds of global installations, food and beverage processors rely on this system to:
- Cut batch times in half
- Improve operator safety and ergonomics
- Reduce energy consumption up to 70%
- Eliminate dusting and reduce air entrainment.
The Fastfeed is an integrated, skid-mounted inline system featuring a specially designed powder suction pump and proven high shear mixing technology. It instantly inducts, wets, and disperses countless ingredients such as proteins, gums, starches, vitamins, fiber, sweeteners, stabilisers, emulsifiers, flavours, and colours.
Since powders are dispersed into the liquid stream while the tank is being filled, batch times are reduced and time-consuming pre-blends are eliminated. And because powders are introduced into the hopper at the same rate, batch-to-batch inconsistencies are eliminated, allowing for longer process times and less frequent CIP cycles. The Fastfeed can also feed multiple tanks to hold or suspend product prior to filling or packaging.
Constructed of 316L stainless steel components, the Fastfeed requires only 15 horsepower to drive its vacuum pump and built-in DynaShear disperser, consuming less energy than conventional mixers.
Importantly, batching is performed from the safety of floor level, not elevated platforms. Gone too are back injuries and dusting associated with bag-dumping into open top tanks.
Batch operators now induct, disperse, and hydrate all powdered ingredients in a single pass, at induction rates of 450+ pounds per minute.
A Case Study in Quality, Efficiency, and Safety
Recently a beverage manufacturer whose protocol required the carrying and dumping of powder from 50-pound bags approached Admix to improve its batching processes. The ingredients were being dumped into a conventional batch mixer on an elevated batch deck.
The client needed to produce product faster, use less energy, and improve operator ergonomics, while maintaining quality product. It also wanted to reduce product loss from producing diverse products in batch sizes from 100 to 30,000 gallons. Ingredients ran the gamut including gums, stabilisers, plant proteins, vitamins, minerals, sweeteners, energy drink components, nutraceuticals, preservatives, acids, whey and milk protein isolates, whey and milk protein concentrates, milk powders, and assorted flavourings.
The Solution
Admix representatives conducted a thorough audit and recommended batching improvements using the Fastfeed. This combination of high liquid flow and controlled vacuum induction completely wets and disperses powders inline at the particulate level. This results in no unmixed ingredients ever reaching the downstream blend tank and emulsions in the three to five micron range.
After the system was installed, operators could disperse and hydrate all powdered ingredients in a single pass, at induction rates over 450 pounds per minute. Highly-used powders are now inducted from bulk sacks, while the balance of powders are added from 50-pound bags; both from the safety of floor level. Liquid flavour concentrates and purees are also inducted from pails, drums, and totes, without an additional pump.
The Benefits
The results were far reaching: Fastfeed reduced batch times by 50 percent, utilised 70 percent less energy, eliminated dusting from dumping powders into open top mix tanks, and made every batch size the client needed. Since all mixing is now done inline without time-consuming recirculation loops, air entrainment was drastically reduced also.
Today, downstream strainers and filters are not required as smooth product is delivered with every batch run. Batch-to-batch inconsistencies from different operators dumping powders into mix tanks at varying rates are also eliminated. Lastly, the Fastfeed was able to achieve a quick return on investment – in less than one year.
To see the Fastfeed in action or learn how it improves operations and product quality, visit www.admix.com/fastfeed.
