TURKEY MEAT
Gentle Conveying of Turkey Meat in Industry
How to pump turkey meat pieces continuously in automated processes
Industrial poultry processing requires reliable and hygienic conveying technology. Different cuts of meat, varying consistencies and strict hygienic standards place high demands on the pumping systems used.
As a global specialist in handling complex media, NETZSCH Pumps & Systems offers innovative solutions for demanding applications in the food industry. We will show you how progressing cavity pumps can transport turkey meat safely and reliably through various processing steps.
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Technical requirements for conveying turkey meat
Industrial poultry processing is characterised by high hygiene requirements and complex mechanical processes. Even within a single product, such as turkey meat, the physical properties can vary greatly. For processing plant operators, this means conveying technology must be both flexible and reliable. After slaughter and cleaning, the animals are cut into several pieces. These differ in size, density, texture, and friction properties. In addition, the bone content may vary. The different product properties influence the conveying behaviour and place high demands on the pump technology used. Larger pieces of meat, in particular, can block pumps or place mechanical stress on them. At the same time, smaller pieces of meat or minced meat require uniform, continuous conveying to ensure stable downstream processes. Furthermore, gentle handling of the product is crucial. Excessive shear forces can alter the meat's structure or cause undesirable heating. At the same time, hygiene requirements must be met. Product residues must not accumulate in dead spaces, as this increases the risk of microbial contamination. Accordingly, pump systems must be designed to be both process-reliable and hygienic.
Reliable conveying of minced meat pieces
In a poultry processing plant owned by an international food producer, slaughtered turkeys are first cleaned and then cut into four pieces. Some of these pieces contain bones, while others consist exclusively of muscle meat. Even at this early stage of processing, pieces of different sizes, structures and mechanical properties are produced. The larger pieces of meat, measuring approximately 23 × 13 centimetres, are fed into a mechanical meat separator. In this process, the pieces are further chopped and reduced to approximately four by eight centimetres. Afterwards, these smaller pieces of meat must be reliably transported to the next processing step. In the following process, the material is mechanically chopped again and processed into minced meat. This minced meat is then conveyed in a continuous stream to the packaging line. Stable, consistent conveying is crucial to maintaining an uninterrupted production process. However, conventional conveying technology often reaches its limits in this task. Different piece sizes lead to irregular conveying, while high mechanical loads impair the meat structure. Larger pieces of meat also cause problems when feeding the conveying units, leading to blockages. At the same time, the complex designs of many pump systems complicate quick and hygienic cleaning. For operators of poultry processing plants, this leads to increased downtime, additional maintenance costs and reduced process stability. Robust and product-friendly conveying technology is therefore a decisive factor for economical and hygienically safe operation.
How to pump turkey meat gently and continuously
This is where NETZSCH comes in with its NEMO® BO/BS pump with hopper in block construction in food-grade design. The operating principle is based on a metal Rotorrotor,Rotors,rotorsrotor oscillating within an elastomeric stator. This geometry creates enclosed pumping chambers continuously transporting the medium from the suction to the pressure side. The pump used is additionally equipped with an open filling hopper and an integrated screw conveyer. This design enables reliable drawing of even larger pieces of meat into the pump chamber and into the conveying system. In this way, the product can be transported evenly into the downstream process.
Several design features help ensure stable and gentle operation. The special Rotorrotor,Rotors,rotorsrotor-stator geometry forms continuous conveying chambers enabling a uniform volume flow without pulsation. This allows pieces of meat of different sizes to be transported reliably. At the same time, the pump's displacement principle ensures low shear stress. The medium moves gently through the delivery chambers, preserving the meat’s structure and quality. The open filling hopper with integrated screw conveyor also ensures active feeding of the suction chamber. Even larger or irregularly shaped pieces of meat can be conveyed safely. Suitable for use in the food industry, the pump features stainless steel components and FDA-compliant elastomers. Hygienic surfaces and suitable material properties contribute to compliance with regulatory requirements in meat processing. As described in the application, the pumps continuously convey both turkey meat pieces and minced meat through several processing steps to the packaging line. Since 2014, more than fifty NEMO® progressing cavity pumps have been installed in several of the operator’s plants.
Stable conveying and reduced maintenance requirements have enabled the operator to maintain reliable process control. At the same time, the meat's structure is preserved during conveying, contributing significantly to consistent product quality. Contact the experts at NETZSCH to analyse your application together and design the right pump solution. We are happy to support you with the technical design of your conveying task.
NEMO® BO/BS pump with hopper in block construction
