Key Technology #16 Air Cleaner

Key Technology, a member of Duravant, has released its #16 Air Cleaner. Suitable for both wet and dry products, such as peas, green beans, corn, berries and nuts, the air cleaner is designed to remove extraneous vegetable matter (EVM), dirt and other lightweight materials and debris to improve product quality and line efficiency.

Features includes an upgraded fan, motor, screen and chamber configuration designed to enhance sanitation and reduce maintenance while increasing air flow capacity and spreading air velocity more evenly across the product screen.

Typically installed at receiving, the system separates EVM and debris, such as leaves, steams, husks, dirt and more, early on the production line. It 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.

While the previous model provided an air flow capacity of up to 453 m³/min, the upgraded one provides up to 538 m³/min depending on the application. It can achieve more even distribution of air velocity — produced by a smaller fan that operates with 20 hp — across the product screen to remove more debris. For minimal wear, the system has been designed with only one moving part, the motor.

To improve sanitation, large access doors and sloped surfaces have been removed from the product design. A hinge design with a single lamination replaces piano hinges, while a screen design with perforations integrated into the side panels replaces spot-welded screens. The fixed twist lock cam latches replace the previous model’s rubber draw latches and wing nuts.

Each air cleaner can be mounted with either a dewatering shaker for wet products or a transfer shaker for dry products.