Citribel, based in our hometown of Tienen, Belgium, is a leading producer of citric acid, citrates, and mycelium-based products, which are crucial ingredients in several industries. With decades of experience, the time was right to upgrade and improve specific installations. These new elements would have to be seamlessly integrated into the older plant—a challenge right up our alley. Yet, as is often the case, the most intriguing challenges lurk in the details. For Citribel, it all came down to a nozzle head.
Integrating new installations into an existing plant with a long history and well-established processes is a complex task, to say the least. But it’s one we’re more than happy to tackle. From structural and process engineering to project management and BIM coordination, we meticulously addressed every detail in the Citribel revamp—floors, conveyors, and valves—ensuring precision at every step.
But a special challenge arose when the lower part of the sieve chain turned out to require a redesign. The dish head’s 4-nozzle layout had to evolve to a 3-nozzle layout, while the rest of the vessel had to remain untouched. Bringing old and new together in one plant is one thing, but in one installation? Now that’s a challenge. But our goal was clear: we had to find a perfect fit, and ensure minimal downtime for the installation.
And so, we had our work cut out for us. By 3D-scanning the existing vessel, we were able to create a hyper precise digital 3D-model that became the cornerstone for our measurements and simulations. This allowed us to delve into the intricacies of the new design, strategically placing the 3-nozzle layout digitally, without having to compromise the performance of the real sieve chain installation.
Because 3D-scans leave no room for error, it was possible to prefabricate the new dish head in the workshop. This way, we bypassed on-site construction and saved valuable time and costs. After manufacturing, all that was left to do was putting the new dish head in place and securely welding it to the existing vessel. This seemingly simple action was the result of an extremely complex, but meticulously executed, engineering process.
The outcome? A cutting-edge 3-nozzle dish head, tailor-made and seamlessly fitted onto the existing vessel, ensuring minimal disruption to Citribel’s operations. That’s a success story in our book. And it’s a prime example of the very real significance of meticulous planning, design, and execution. It's no coincidence that our motto is “getting things right from the start.”
We work closely with clients from the very beginning. That way, we know exactly what you need, you feel heard and supported, and we can use our collective skills to solve the puzzle. This is a team effort, and a strong start is half the battle.
By focusing on digital processes, we minimise waste, optimise resources, and reduce the ecological footprint of industrial projects. Also, we design for longevity. By making sure everything is well-made and well-maintained, we reduce the need for renovations or replacements.
Industrial projects are complex and rely on many variables. Challenges and questions are bound to arise. Our project managers are here to guide you through it all, with expert advice, troubleshooting, and, if necessary, just a bit of tough love.
Not your machinery or hardware (although we help with that, too), but the different elements and stakeholders involved in your construction project. We always take a bird’s-eye view, so all moving parts are in sync.
