Rittal launches hygienic design campaign for the food & beverage industry
By Canadian Packaging staff
Design & Innovation Food Safety Friedhelm Loh Group hygienic design air/water heat exchangers Rittal GmbH & Co. KG Rittal Systems Ltd.New modified silicone seal easily withstands cleaning water pressure and jet steam cleaners.
Hygiene is an absolute must in the food and beverage industry: Machinery, plant and components must readily withstand daily cleaning with pressure washers and jet steam cleaners and possess surfaces that are easy to clean, and/or designed to prevent contaminants from adhering to them.
Rittal has a new system to address that concern.
Rittal Systems Ltd., headquartered in Mississauga, Ont., is the Canadian subsidiary of Rittal GmbH & Co. KG, Germany, the world’s leading system supplier for enclosures, power distribution, climate control, IT infrastructure and software & services.
Modified design
For hygienic design, Rittal has modified the design of its enclosures in a number of respects.
For example, the attachment to the enclosure wall using threaded bolts and nuts has been designed so that the screw fastening is not visible from the outside.
The enclosure is made from stainless steel with a brushed grain size of 400, producing a surface roughness average – Ra of less than 0.8 mm. The smooth surface finish is easy to clean and disinfect. There are no hard-to-clean gaps where contamination could collect.
The silicone seal between the enclosure and the case prevents the transfer of colorants, flavorings and unwanted odors. The seal eliminates gaps between the air/water heat exchanger and the enclosure which would be difficult to clean.
The seals are available as spare parts, and are easily replaced in the event of mechanical damage. The seals are dyed blue in accordance with FDA Guideline 21 CFR 177.2600, making them clearly distinguishable from contaminants such as food residues.
The flat seals on the water connection fittings are also dyed blue, and geometrically designed to sit flush against the shape of the fitting. A metal end stop prevents compression of the seal, so that edges cannot protrude and allow contaminants or micro-organisms to accumulate.
Tested hygiene
The top of the enclosure tilts forwards by 30 degrees. This typical hygienic design feature prevents objects from being deposited on top of the enclosure, while at the same time ensuring that liquids, such as detergents and disinfectants, run off quickly. With protection categories up to IP 66/69K and NEMA 4X, Rittal’s hygienic design enclosures, climate control and accessories meet the demanding requirements of pressure washing and steam cleaning.
Use cooling water to dissipate heat
The hygienic design air/water heat exchangers from Rittal are ideally suited to the food industry, where hygiene requirements are exceptionally stringent, and where there is already a central cold water supply available in the production plant.
About Rittal Systems:
Founded in 1961, Rittal is now active worldwide with 10 production sites, 63 subsidiaries and 40 agencies. With over 11,000 employees worldwide, Rittal is the largest company of the proprietor-run Friedhelm Loh Group of Haiger, Germany. Company information available at www.rittal.ca and www.friedhelm-loh-group.com.
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