Foam arch in stainless steel for Microflor
Foam arch in stainless steel for Microflor
The plant and flower cultivation sector also places much higher focus on hygiene and cleaning within the production process, like our customer Microflor in Lochristi. BOONS FIS developed an efficient foam arch in stainless steel for Milcoflor to disinfect the cultivation tables.
Acclimatization process
Microflor is a biotech company which is specialized in the breeding, in vitro propagation and acclimatization of Phalaenopsis, Helleborus and Gloxinia. In the acclimatization branch, large numbers of in vitro plantlets are planted in plugs every week to enter the acclimatization process in the best conditions.
These in vitro plants arrive from a sterile lab and are therefore very sensitive to plant diseases (virus, bacteria and fungi). That is why the company hygiene is very important.
Prevent contamination through personal hygiene
The hygiene process at Microflor initially starts with the personal hygiene of all employees. After all, the young, fragile plants pass through the hands of the employees one by one and are collected in trays.
To prevent contamination, Microflor installed two HDK hand chemistry devices with a turnstile. Both hands are inserted into the openings at the same time and sprayed with disinfectant.
Only after correct use the turnstile will be unlocked to provide continuity to the operators.
Disinfecting cultivation tables
Once the plants have been collected in the trays, they end up on large metal cultivation tables. These cultivation tables are also thoroughly disinfected after each cycle of use. Checks revealed that the disinfection system could be improved.
Microflor was looking for a system in which the tables are 100% clean after disinfection to minimize contamination, resulting in less work and costs.
Efficient, complete desinfection
While looking for a new system: efficiency, better (complete) coverage and longer effect of the product were the three points that Microflor wanted to check off. BOONS FIS developed a six meter long - custom made - foam bow in stainless steel for this project.
The operators, controlled by a chemical dosing unit CBU which is set up near the foam bow doses correctly (preset and adjusted correctly).
- Water is mixed with the appropriate amount of disinfectant each time it is used and sent to the six spray nozzles (check mark 1).
- This creates a foam curtain that provides the entire surface (check mark 2) of the cultivation table.
- Nice, adherent foam layer appears (check mark 3).
Longer action time: disinfectant
Crucial for the composition of perfect (disinfectant) foam is the ratio of water with the right amount of chemical product at the right pressure. For an ideal spread, the foam bow is equipped with six spray heads on which foam nozzles are mounted.
This configuration results in beautiful, adhesive foam that lasts longer on the cultivation tables and in this way may also act longer for a better (read: 100% clean) result.
The foam arch was integrated into the automated transport system that transports and supplies the cultivation tables.
Microflor is extremely satisfied with BOONS FIS' approach. Our project leaders have visited the site several times to get a good picture of the situation and the wishes of Microflor.
After approval of the proposal, the delivery time, installation and follow-up were correctly observed. In this way, Microflor can continue to focus on its biotechnical specializations in complete comfort.
Robby Smet
R&D Manager at BOONS FIS
Would you like to know more about foam bows?
Every BOONS FIS cleaning system is based on a thorough understanding of the customer's specific wishes, processes and sector-specific requirements. Whether it concerns strict hygiene standards in the food industry or automated cleaning solutions in complex production environments, each project requires a unique approach.
We combine technical expertise with practical experience to arrive at high-performance, future-oriented solutions.
Discover how the foam bow works below.