The Entecon Solution
Entecon Industries designed, manufactured, installed and commissioned a fully integrated bulk hops conveying system incorporating:
- Three Aero Mechanical Conveyors (AMCs)
- Multiple pneumatic diverter valves
- One Sack Tip Station (STS)
- Centralised electrical controls and automation
- Operator-friendly HMI interface
- Integrated safety and interlocking systems
The automated material handling system was engineered to provide controlled, efficient and gentle movement of hops throughout the brewery whilst allowing flexible routing to suit production requirements.
System Overview
Aero Mechanical Conveyors (AMCs)
Three Entecon Aero Mechanical Conveyors were installed to transfer hop products from the Sack Tip Station to whichever mixer was selected by the operator through the HMI during batch production.
The conveying system was selected for its ability to:
- Maintain product quality during transfer
- Minimise dust generation
- Reduce manual handling requirements
- Increase production flexibility
- Provide reliable continuous operation
Prior to manufacture, product trials were conducted at Entecon's facilities to confirm the suitability of the conveying technology and ensure gentle handling of the hops.
Diverter Valve Network
A series of pneumatically operated diverter valves enables product routing to the required Aero Mechanical Conveyor and subsequently to the selected mixer.
This configuration provides:
- Multiple transfer paths from a single intake point
- The ability to transfer product through one route whilst another line is being prepared
- Automated product routing
- Reduced operator intervention
- Enhanced production flexibility
The diverter valves are fully integrated into the control system, ensuring correct sequencing and preventing incorrect routing selections.
Sack Tip Station (STS)
An Entecon Sack Tip Station was incorporated to provide controlled feeding of hops into the process.
Key benefits include:
- Consistent material flow
- Accurate product transfer
- Gentle handling of hop products
- Reliable operation within a demanding brewery environment
- Easy access for cleaning and maintenance
Controls and Automation
Entecon supplied a complete controls package featuring:
- PLC-based control system
- Touchscreen HMI
- Automatic operating sequences
- Recipe-based routing selection
- Fault diagnostics and alarm handling
- System interlocking and safety monitoring
The controls were designed to simplify operation whilst providing comprehensive process visibility for brewery operators and maintenance personnel.
The new installation was designed to seamlessly integrate with the brewery's existing control architecture, providing a familiar user interface whilst maintaining centralised process control across the wider production facility.
