For a client in the light chemical industry, RvS Group, in collaboration with Kuijpers Industrie, designed and built a complete air handling installation. Goal: to make an existing, well-functioning industrial process suitable for production intended for human consumption.
The project covered the full engineering cycle, from baseline measurement and technical analysis to mechanical design, manufacturing and commissioning, in close cooperation with Kuijpers as realization partner.
Project overview
The client had a stable process with a solid technical foundation. The installation ran well, output was reliable and operational knowledge was in place. Yet there was a fundamental obstacle: the process had never been designed to meet the requirements for human consumption.
In the food industry, air quality, hygiene and reproducibility are not preferences but prerequisites. Without the right air handling, the process remained limited to industrial applications, no matter how well it otherwise performed.
Challenge
The client had a stable and well-functioning production process, but without air handling that met the requirements for food production. The system had originally been set up for industrial applications where hygiene, air quality and reproducibility were not critical prerequisites.
The challenge therefore lay not in improving the process itself, but in upgrading the environmental conditions. The installation had to meet food-grade standards while the existing process infrastructure remained intact.
Our Approach
To make the right translation into a food-grade solution, we started with an extensive baseline measurement. In this phase, we analyzed both the process-related and mechanical aspects of the existing installation.
Based on this analysis, we determined the required capacity, established critical air quality parameters and carried out technical calculations. We then selected suitable air handling components that met the food-grade requirements.
For the mechanical design, we used 3D laser scanning, allowing the new installation to be seamlessly integrated into the existing brownfield situation. The engineering documentation was fully developed in AutoCAD Inventor and Plant3D.
Realization
Engineering documents and systems delivered:
- P&IDs for process integration and instrumentation
- Item lists with component specifications
- Full 3D model of the installation
- ISO drawings for fabrication and assembly
- Air resistance and flow calculations to validate the system design
After the engineering phase, RvS Group and Kuijpers jointly realized and successfully commissioned the installation.
Delivery
The installation was delivered as a fully integrated and documented system, fitting seamlessly within the existing production environment. All engineering documents are transferable and usable for future management, maintenance and future expansions.
Commissioning proceeded according to schedule, with minimal impact on the client’s ongoing production.
Result
The completed air handling installation meets the requirements for hygienic, food-grade production. The following performance characteristics were central to the design:
- Low pressure drop: Efficient filter design with minimal air resistance and optimal energy use
- High efficiency: Maximum system performance through a well-considered and optimized design
- De-icing functionality: Reliable operation, even under cold conditions
- Maintenance-friendly: Easy access for inspection and periodic maintenance
- Brownfield integration: Seamless implementation within the existing plant environment
The result is a production environment that is technically robust, hygienically sound and future-proof, fully aligned with the requirements of the food industry.
Curious what RvS Group can do for your production environment? Get in touch to explore the possibilities.