Key Technology Introduces Air Cleaner

Removing extraneous vegetable matter (EVM), dirt, and other lightweight materials, the #16 air cleaner cleans product of debris to improve product quality and line efficiency.

The redesigned air cleaner features a new fan, motor, screen, and chamber configuration to enhance sanitation and reduce maintenance while increasing air flow capacity and spreading air velocity more evenly across the product screen.

“At Key, we partner closely with customers to develop new solutions to their production problems. Our new air cleaner was driven by one customer’s desire to remove even more debris for a cleaner product. While we designed this system primarily to improve performance, we looked for opportunities to maximize sanitation and maintenance, too,” said Jack Lee, president of Key Technology Americas. “Predictive modeling software was crucial in the development of this air cleaner. Computational fluid dynamics enabled us to model the air flow to put together a revolutionary design backed by real data.”

Ideal for both wet and dry products such as peas, green beans, corn, berries, and nuts, Key’s air cleaner removes leaves, steams, husks, dirt, and more. Typically installed at receiving, this system separates EVM and debris early on the production line to improve line efficiency and reduce energy waste.

The air cleaner uses positive air flow, which moves through the product as it falls above a diagonal screen, to push light debris up and into a collection hood.

Compared to the previous model that provided an air flow capacity of up to 16,000 cu ft/min, the air cleaner offers up to 19,000 CFM, depending on the application. It achieves more even distribution of air velocity across the product screen to reliably remove more debris. This stronger, more even air velocity produced by a smaller fan that operates with the same 20 hp as the previous model to more efficiently meet processors’ product quality standards.

Key designed the new air cleaner with minimal wear parts. The new system has only one moving part, the motor, to reduce maintenance and operating costs.

Key Technology Inc., Walla Walla, WA 509-540-7415 www.key.net