Construction Materials, Building Supplies, Construction Industry,
How Do Magnets Ensure Safety and Quality in Food Processing?
- tags：

In everyday food processing, we often overlook the unsung "safety guard" of magnets. They exist in various forms throughout the production line, silently safeguarding food safety and quality from the moment raw materials enter the factory to the moment finished product leaves the factory. How do these seemingly simple magnetic devices become such an essential and crucial part of the food processing process? Let's explore the important role of magnetic technology in the modern food industry.

 

Where does metal contamination in food come from?

- Impurities in raw materials: Metal fragments may be mixed into crops during the planting and harvesting process.

- Equipment wear: Metal wear particles generated by processing machinery during operation.

- Human factors: Metal objects (such as buttons and jewelry) accidentally dropped by employees.

- Maintenance: Small parts such as screws and nuts that may be left behind during repairs and maintenance.

These contaminants range from bolts as large as 50 mm to wear debris as small as 30 µm, which can puncture packaging, cause cuts in consumers' mouths, or damage expensive subsequent equipment.

 

Magnetic separator

 

Magnetic Separation Technology: The Unsung Hero of the Food Industry

Magnetic separation technology utilizes high-intensity magnetic forces to effectively remove iron and other magnetic metal contaminants from food raw materials and production processes. Common magnetic separation equipment includes:

- Magnetic bars: Installed in feed ports and conveyor pipes to capture iron filings

- Magnetic screens: Used to filter metallic impurities from liquids and slurries

- Drawer magnetic separators: Remove fine metal contaminants from free-flowing dry products

- Magnetic separators: Used to screen and remove iron from recycled powders

 

Applications of Magnetic Technology in Various Food Industries

1. Grain Processing

In the processing of grains such as rice, flour, and cornmeal, strong magnetic bars are installed at the inlets of raw material cleaning equipment, mills, and packaging machines to effectively remove iron impurities from the raw materials.

This not only preserves the color and taste of the product but also extends the life of the equipment. For example, after installing strong magnetic bars in their production line, a large rice processing company reduced the amount of foreign matter in their product by 98%.

2. Edible Oil Production

In edible oil production, strong magnetic bars play a role throughout the entire process, from oil pressing to refining:

- During the pressing process, they prevent iron impurities from entering the oil pressing equipment.

- During the refining process, they further absorb iron impurities from the crude oil.

3. Baking and Confectionery

In the baking and confectionery industry, magnetic separators are used to inspect all incoming dry ingredients (such as flour and sugar) and liquid feeds (such as flavors, spices, and oils).

For example, Colonial Cookies of Canada has installed Pneumag magnetic separators and multiple fluid filters in its production line to protect its cookie manufacturing process from metal contamination.

4. Food Additive Production

The purity of food additives directly impacts food quality and safety. Strong magnetic rods ensure the purity of additive raw materials and prevent iron impurities from affecting the performance of food additives.

 

Magnetic separatorMagnetic separator

Magnetic separatorMagnetic separator

 

Magnetic Separation Technology and Food Safety Management Systems

Magnetic separation technology is a key component of the HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) system. HACCP is an internationally recognized analytical system for identifying potential risks and implementing preventive measures to eliminate or reduce hazards.

A robust HACCP system with high-quality metal separation and detection offers many advantages:

- Monitoring raw materials from suppliers

- Preventing metal contaminants from entering the production process

- Promptly detecting machine wear or failure

- Control points that reduce unplanned maintenance and downtime

Many retailers today audit their suppliers' safety management systems for compliance with international standards, such as EU Regulation 852/2005 and ISO 22000. An effective magnetic separation system can help companies meet these regulatory requirements.

 

Key Considerations for Selecting and Maintaining Magnetic Separation Equipment

1. Raw Material Characteristics: Particle size, moisture content, and fluidity of the raw material will influence equipment selection.

2. Production Process: Continuous vs. batch production, and the degree of automation required.

3. Contamination Risk: The type and magnitude of potential metal contamination.

4. Cleaning Requirements: The ease of cleaning and sanitation of the equipment.

Regular inspection and maintenance of magnetic equipment is also crucial. This includes regular cleaning to remove adsorbed metal impurities, checking for weakening of the magnetic force, and ensuring proper installation.

 

 

GRID MAGNET SEPARATOR an industrial guardian for efficient separation of ferromagnetic impurities
- tags：

In modern industrial production, the purity of raw materials often directly determines the quality of the final product. Whether in grain processing, plastics production, or resource recycling, efficiently removing ferromagnetic impurities from raw materials has always been a critical issue. As a highly efficient magnetic separation device, the GRID MAGNET SEPARATOR is becoming an "industrial guardian" on production lines across various industries.

 

GRID MAGNET SEPARATORGRID MAGNET SEPARATOR

First, what is a barrier magnetic separator?

A barrier magnetic separator is a grid-like magnetic separation device constructed using high-strength permanent magnets or an electromagnetic system. Its primary function is to automatically and continuously remove ferromagnetic impurities from free-flowing powders, granules, or slurries, thereby protecting downstream equipment, ensuring product purity, and improving production safety.

Compared to traditional magnetic separation equipment, the barrier magnetic separator utilizes a unique grid design, providing a larger adsorption area and more efficient processing capacity, making it particularly suitable for handling materials with large flow rates.

 

Secondly, the core operating principle of a magnetic separator is the precise application of magnetic force. The working principle of a fence magnetic separator is based on the different physical properties of ferromagnetic and non-magnetic materials in a magnetic field:

1. Material Passage: The material to be processed passes through a grid-like array of magnetic bars.

2. Adsorption Separation: Ferromagnetic impurities are captured by the high-intensity magnetic field and adsorbed on the surface of the magnetic bars.

3. Pure Material Passage: After impurities are removed, the pure material continues to the next process.

4. Periodic Cleaning: Adsorbed impurities are periodically cleaned manually or automatically.

This design ensures continuous and efficient production, allowing for uninterrupted operation without downtime.

GRID MAGNET SEPARATOR

Features:

High-power, low-cost magnetic plates for separating feed materials in hoppers.

Made with strontium ferrite or rare earth neodymium iron boron magnets.

Round or rectangular, with a stainless steel body.

Single or dual element options for optimal separation.

High-temperature resistant grid made of alnico magnets.

Magnets are easily removable for cleaning.

 

A variety of magnetic screen types are available, including:

Product Purity: Ensures removal of ferrous contaminants, improving product quality

Equipment Protection: Protects processing equipment from damage caused by metal contamination, reducing downtime and repair costs

Compliance: Helps meet audit requirements and industry standards for product safety

Easy Installation and Maintenance: Simple installation, typically requiring no power or maintenance

Versatility: Customizable to various sizes and application requirements

Standard Magnetic Screens: Designed for general applications, available in a variety of sizes and magnetic field strengths

Easy Clean Magnetic Screens: Designed to simplify removal of captured contaminants

Encapsulated Easy Clean Grid Magnetic Separators: Designed as a drop-in replacement for standard vibrating screens

Automatic Magnetic Screens: Self-cleaning grids designed for continuous operation

 

GRID MAGNET SEPARATORGRID MAGNET SEPARATOR

Industry application scenarios

Food Processing Industry

In the processing of grain, flour, starch, and other foods, fence magnetic separators effectively remove metal impurities from raw materials, ensuring food safety and compliance with HACCP and FDA standards.

Plastics and Chemical Industry

Protecting expensive equipment such as injection molding machines and extruders from damage by metal impurities while improving product quality.

Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

Ensuring the purity of raw materials during the processing of pharmaceutical raw materials and complying with GMP standards.

Recycling Industry

Effectively separating metal impurities during the recycling of waste plastics and waste paper improves the quality of recycled materials.

Mining and Building Materials Industry

Protecting crushing and grinding equipment during ore crushing and cement production, reducing wear and tear.

 

Please refer to the Installation and Maintenance Guide.

Key Points for Correct Installation

1. Ensure installation in an area with smooth material flow.

2. Maintain a proper installation angle.

3. Allow ample space for cleaning and maintenance.

4. Ensure proper grounding (electromagnetic type).

Daily Maintenance Recommendations

1. Regularly check magnetic strength (every 6 months).

2. Promptly remove adsorbed metal impurities.

3. Inspect seals and for wear.

4. Keep the equipment clean and dry.

Magnetic Materials in Food Processing Invisible "Guardians", How to Ensure Safety and Efficiency?
- tags：

 

Magnetic Materials in Food Processing

In a food processing plant that pursues deliciousness and health, you may not think of "magnets" at the first time. However, these invisible magnetic field forces are indispensable key players in ensuring the safety of our dining tables and improving production efficiency. They are unknown, but they have a great responsibility - they are specifically designed to deal with those "uninvited guests" that may be mixed into food: metal impurities.

 

* Wide range of sources: Metal impurities may come from raw materials (such as harvester parts fragments and ore residues in grain), production equipment (such as screen wear, loose and falling mechanical parts), employee negligence (such as screws, washers), and even packaging materials.

* Huge harm:

Physical damage: Sharp metal fragments are a major threat to consumer safety and may cause damage to the mouth, esophagus, and even internal organs.

Equipment damage: Hard metal particles can seriously wear or even jam expensive crushers, grinders, pumps and valves and other key equipment, causing unexpected downtime and high repair costs.

Reputation and legal risks: Once products containing metal foreign matter enter the market, they will inevitably lead to consumer complaints, large-scale recalls, serious damage to brand reputation, and even face severe regulatory penalties and lawsuits.

 

The above factors are the stage where magnetic separators come into play. They use the magnetic field generated by powerful permanent magnets (such as neodymium iron boron) or electromagnets to accurately "capture" ferromagnetic metals (iron, steel) and some weakly magnetic metals (such as some stainless steel) at key points in the food processing process. The working principle is that when food materials flow through or approach a strong magnetic field area, the ferromagnetic metal impurities in them will be firmly adsorbed on the surface of the magnet by the magnetic force, while the pure food passes smoothly, achieving precise separation.

What types of magnetic separation equipment are used in the food industry?

There are several types of magnetic separation equipment commonly used in the food processing industry, including:

Plate magnets: These flat magnetic plates are most commonly found in conveyors or chutes. They are often used to remove metal contaminants from dry goods such as grains, seeds or pet food.

Grid magnets: Similar to plate magnets, grid magnets are also suitable for dry material applications. These magnetic separators are composed of multiple magnetic bars through which the material passes. The magnetic bars collect and remove iron impurities from the material. Grid magnets are available in a variety of designs to suit a variety of material types, such as flour, grain, sugar, and more.

Rotary magnets: These magnets are most effective for dry, sticky, difficult-to-flow products that have bridging issues, such as milk powder or sugar.

 In-line magnets: These types of magnetic separators include designs suitable for both dry and wet applications, as well as high-speed product lines, pump lines, and pneumatic conveying.

 

Magnetic Materials in Food ProcessingMagnetic Materials in Food Processing

 

Magnetic separation technology ensures safety: not only equipment, but also a system

* Comply with regulations and standards: HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) system, ISO 22000, FSSC 22000 and other global food safety standards all list metal foreign matter control as a critical control point (CCP) or prerequisite program (PRP). High-performance magnetic separators are the basic hardware to meet these requirements.

* Equipment selection and verification: The magnetic strength, form and installation location must be scientifically selected based on material characteristics (dry/wet, particle size, flow rate), expected metal size and type. Equipment performance needs to be verified regularly (such as using standard test pieces).

* Strict maintenance procedures: This is the lifeline to ensure the continued effectiveness of magnetic separation equipment! Must establish and implement:

* Regular cleaning: Clean the metal impurities adsorbed on the surface of the magnet according to the plan (such as every shift, every day) to prevent accumulation from causing magnetic field shielding or re-mixing of impurities.

* Regular inspection: Check whether the magnet is damaged, whether the coating is intact (to prevent food contamination), and whether the magnetic force is attenuated (regularly use a gauss meter to test).

* Records and traceability: Detailed records of cleaning, inspection, and metal impurities found to ensure the process is traceable.

 

In the field of food processing, magnetic materials and their separation technology are by no means dispensable supporting roles. They are the cornerstone of building a food safety defense line and the guardian of efficient operation of the production line. Intercepting every potentially harmful metal impurity from the source is a manifestation of the modern food industry's responsibility for consumer health and a wise investment for companies to achieve sustainable development and win market trust.

Therefore, please pay attention to these "invisible guardians":

* Scientifically select applicable magnetic separation equipment.

* Strictly implement maintenance and cleaning procedures.

* Deeply integrate it into your food safety management system.

keyboard_arrow_up