What is a conveyor belt?
The belt provides a way and means to transport bulk materials and the required power for moving them normally across horizontal planes. Belts are vital in the production of bulk materials and they are the most expensive parts. It is chosen for its required properties for handling the material, including belt width, strength, elasticity, corrosion and shock-resistant qualities. Most common conveyors are designed where the conveyor belts wrap over the pulley at both ends. The pulley on the conveyor is often connected to a motor which is able to move the belt.
Why is it important to clean conveyor belts?
Due to continuous contact between the transported materials and other system components, conveyor belts accumulate a lot of dirt on the return strand. Each belt needs to be cleaned after the discharge point in order to stop dirt from building up and bacteria from proliferating.
Small or large, food processing facilities ensure food safety and hygiene by using high-grade equipment, hygienic procedures, and quality raw ingredients. Because it is commonplace equipment in many food processing facilities, a conveyor belt has the potential to accumulate pathogens.
The conveyor belt must always be kept clean because the food is frequently in direct touch with it. It plays a significant role in routine conveyor belt maintenance. Learn some of the several ways to clean conveyor belts and how to sanitize food-grade conveyor systems by reading the rest of this article.
How much does a conveyor belt system cost?
In general speaking, experts suggest budgeting about $1000 for each square feet of conveyor. These numbers represent various variables including wires, ropes and supports.
Things to Consider Regarding Conveyor Belt Cleaning & Disinfection
Food processing conveyor belt is covered by several laws. The EHDG also provides guidelines about conveyor belts in food industries. The regulations are designed to guarantee the optimum sanitation. In order to maintain conveyors, it must have some good documentation. There are some important aspects that should be taken into consideration before using a cleansing procedure. The following can be a useful way to determine how frequently your carpet will be cleaned. The cleaning of conveyors is not just about hygiene. It also provides a variety of physical advantages.
Belt soiling. Growing microbes is facilitated by soiling. It will be necessary to clean more frequently if the belt soil accumulates quickly. Additionally, cleaning the belt becomes more challenging the longer the soil is on it. If not cleaned up, the contamination will also spread to other delivered products.
Material volume. The conveyor belt's material volume also impacts how much cleaning it will require. Of course, a food-grade conveyor belt with a lot of material will have more contamination. Cleaning should occur more frequently if the belt is used frequently.
Finished food. It's also crucial what kind of food is placed on the belt. Recall that foods that are sticky are more likely to carryback.
Conveyor belt alignment is one factor in their efficiency. However, an accumulation of debris on the track could result in misalignment. Due to the disruption in alignment, this may cause the belt to wear down more quickly and may also impact how specific things are processed.
On sloped and horizontal troughed belts, spills are frequent. But if spills aren't cleaned up right once, they could become a safety threat. Having too much buildup can damage the belt and cause more food spills.
Carrybacks. One of the most frequent problems with conveyor belts is this one. When some items are still adhered to the conveyor belt, it occurs.
Slippage. Your conveyor's pulley buildup may also lessen its effectiveness. It can cause the belt to snag on the pulley or drive head.
Spillage & Carryback
Conveyor belts are prone to a number of frequent issues. They are widely used by operators to identify any difficulties in the loading zone. The spillage takes place underneath the return side of the conveyor or in the vicinity of the belt. It frequently accounts for product defects or material degradation that reduces earnings. This could lead to equipment damage and workplace dangers such stumbles, slips, and falls. Carry-Back refers to the loose material that remains on to a conveyor belt after it has passed the discharge point, especially if the material gets wet.
Secondary Belt Cleaner
A good quality second belt cleaner is a conveyor belt cleaner containing a durable metal like tungsten. A flap will also be included to keep carryback from falling out and prevent damage. If secondary cleaners were properly manufactured, it could be useful as a standalone cleaning solution in a confined environment if bulk materials are dried. The blade holders are designed to keep the scraper blade in position on the belt and will help remove worn or broken belts. The blade end pushes up to provide uniform pressure to the blade, which arcs at the center as it wears to keep blade-to-belt connection.
Maintenance of your conveyor belts
Due to time restraints, limited resources, and a lack of prior conveyor belt cleaning experience, cleaning and maintenance of conveyor belts is routinely neglected. Maintaining your conveyor belts, preventing contamination, and maintaining a secure environment for food production all depend on regular cleaning and maintenance.
Best food grade conveyor belt cleaner
Fortador has the option to mount our dry steam above the conveyor belt to clean your conveyor system with ease. Contact our Fortador team for a customized belt cleaner for you.
Benefits of using steam for conveyor cleaning:
High temp
The temperature of dry steam exceeds 212°F, which is what causes it to be a gas and the boiling point of water. The output of hot water from your pressure washer or plant steam from your home boiler is often less than 180°F and merely produces scattered water particles or mist (wet steam).
No waste
Since steam is a gas with very few water molecules, it almost never creates effluent. Runoff and drainage are caused by hot water and steam from the home's boiler, which is harmful for cleaning and sanitization. For dry facilities, plants without drains, and facilities wishing to upgrade their sanitation practices to CIP and SIP, steam is perfect.
Increased profitability
Eliminating carryback lowers the amount of fugitive material and lowers the price of unneeded maintenance and cleaning.
Long lasting conveyor system
Back-under-the-belt material frequently finds its way into the conveyor system, where it can harm rollers and idlers and cause belts to wander and fray.