The BEL project was a real dairy process integration scope built around a dedicated process skid, not a generic equipment package. At the center of the system, the Creaming Tank was used as the main vessel for mixing, heating and additive dosing, while the Buffer Tank was positioned after the homogenizer to stabilize temperature and smooth the product flow before final transfer to the filling line.
Around these core vessels, the project integrated sanitary pumps, hygienic piping, control valves, flow measurement, steam logic, CIP-related heating and PLC communication with both upstream and downstream equipment.
In the BEL project, the requirement was not simply to install tanks and pumps. The real objective was to build a hygienic, controllable and production-ready process system capable of operating reliably within the actual logic of a dairy line.
In many projects, the word "skid" is used loosely to describe a group of components mounted on a frame. In this case, the skid was a genuine process unit. It brought together tanks, pumps, hygienic piping, filters, instrumentation, steam-related control elements, utility interfaces and control logic into one engineered system.
Dairy production depends on stable temperature, predictable flow, hygienic design and correct synchronization between upstream and downstream equipment. The BEL system addressed those needs through a buffer vessel after the homogenizer, TT-based steam control, VSD-based pump modulation and proper signal exchange.
To understand the BEL project properly, it helps to break the system into functional blocks. Each block had a specific role in the production sequence.
The main process vessel for mixing, heating, product conditioning and additive dosing. This tank was not a passive holding vessel—it was the core preparation point for the product stream.
Located after the homogenizer, the buffer tank helped stabilize product behavior by reducing flow fluctuations and maintaining a more consistent supply to the final transfer stage.
The project included sanitary transfer equipment, including two twin screw pumps in key services, to ensure controlled product movement under hygienic conditions.
Seat valves, butterfly valves, pneumatic switching devices and a duplex sanitary angle filter with 300 micron mesh formed part of the line infrastructure.
The skid incorporated flow measurement, temperature sensing, level-related signals and other process instrumentation needed for real operational control.
The scope included PLC signal exchange with the Stephan Cooker, filler-related logic, VSD pump control, CIP temperature control and manual equipment testing capability.
The engineering value of the BEL project becomes clearer when the line is understood as a sequence of controlled process steps rather than a simple transfer path.
The process began at the upstream side with the Stephan Cooker. Proper operation required PLC signal exchange between the upstream machine and the skid so that status, readiness, sequence and interlock logic could be coordinated.
Once received, the product entered the Creaming Tank, which served as the main conditioning vessel. This was the location for mixing, heating and additive dosing, making it one of the most critical process points in the line.
After homogenization, the product entered the Buffer Tank. This vessel played a stabilizing role by absorbing short-term process fluctuations and providing a more consistent supply to the final transfer stage.
In the final stage, product was transferred to the filling hopper through a pump controlled by VSD. A duplex sanitary angle filter with 300 micron mesh was included to support hygienic performance.
The project included an Endress+Hauser mass flow meter with SS 316L wetted parts. For a dairy line, that material specification matters because it directly relates to hygienic compatibility and process reliability.
Two SAMSON control valves were used in the steam-related heating logic. These valves were especially important in the temperature control approach applied to line heating and CIP-related operation.
TT signals were fundamental to both process temperature awareness and CIP temperature control logic.
Tank and hopper level behavior influenced transfer logic and helped match flow to downstream demand.
Supporting line devices provided the switching, monitoring and routing functions required in a real hygienic process line.
One of the most distinctive technical features of the BEL project was the cleaning and heating approach. This particular line did not rely on a separate dedicated CIP unit.
Water circulated inside the line, and steam was applied to bring the system to the target cleaning temperature. The key point is that two SAMSON control valves modulated steam flow based on TT feedback.
Using the line itself as part of the cleaning temperature strategy can be economical and effective when the routing, utility access, control logic and steam handling are properly designed.
Used for cleaning support and process utility functions.
Required for sanitary operation and temperature-related utility demand.
Used for heating and for achieving CIP temperature setpoints.
Required for pneumatic actuation and related control functions.
Pressure regulation or reduction support for utility integration.
Integrated as a line function rather than as a separate independent skid.
Product lines were defined using hygienic stainless materials. Project references indicate DN 51 SS316 for product piping and DN 51 SS304 for CIP piping.
The line had to be designed to minimize stagnant zones and maintenance obstacles. Equally important was access for filter, pump and valve servicing.
Because the skid had to coordinate with both the Stephan Cooker and the filling side, status signals, receive permissions, stop conditions and interlocks were important.
During final transfer, the outlet pump operated with VSD control so that actual pump output could match hopper conditions and filling machine demand.
Manual testing of pumps, pneumatic valves and sensors was important for commissioning, troubleshooting and maintenance.
TT feedback formed the basis for steam control and for maintaining target temperature during line cleaning.
Equipment states, sensor feedback and control actions needed to remain clear and manageable for operators.
The BEL line had to remain stable across production, cleaning and transfer conditions. That stability depended on real integration between process vessels, temperature signals, steam control, level behavior, transfer pump output and filler demand.
Aligned with the design mindset of 2006/42/CE for food machinery applications.
Reflecting functional safety awareness within the machine control philosophy.
Supporting hygienic engineering principles and food-safe production conditions.
Fanpod contributed to the design and integration of major process elements, the execution of piping routes, component arrangement, utility connections, control coordination and preparation of the system for practical operation.
In a project like BEL, success is not measured by installation alone. The system must be ready for real use, hygienically suitable, operationally stable, cleanable and compatible with the actual line logic of the factory.
Yes. The project was built around a genuine process skid including a Creaming Tank, Buffer Tank, sanitary pumps, valves, filtration, instrumentation, control logic and utility integration.
Notable project components included an Endress+Hauser mass flow meter with SS 316L wetted parts and two SAMSON control valves used in the steam-related control logic.
This particular line did not use a dedicated CIP skid. Water circulated inside the process line, and steam was controlled through two SAMSON valves based on TT feedback to reach the target cleaning temperature.
Because after the homogenizer, the line needed a stabilizing point for temperature retention and flow smoothing. The Buffer Tank improved the consistency of product supply to the filling stage.
The BEL project demonstrates Fanpod's approach to presenting real skid architecture, actual process logic, traceable equipment choices, hygienic design principles and practical industrial control.