FastIonRinse- Sustainable container cleaning technology surpassing manufacturers’ standards

Sismatico are one of only a few companies globally who provide reliable, high-throughput (160,000 cans-per-hour [CPH]) can filling lines to large drinks factories. Such high througphut machinery is a small, high value market. Ensuring cleanliness of cans is critical, so lines incorporate a rinsing stage. Beverage manufacturers use several methods to measure how effective cleaning is. Existing can rinsers use water, which allows high speed and cleaning performance, but uses large amounts of water, ruling out water rinsers in water-stressed regions and adding to running costs elsewhere. Ionised air rinsers are an alternative technology that eliminates water use. We incorporate these using components from several manufacturers, such as Meech and Estat. However, neither ourselves nor our competitors have achieved 90,000cph singe line throughput in combination with cleanliness test performance, against Pepsico’s target of 160,000cph. We have demonstrated that a hybrid water/air rinser exceeds cleanliness and throughput specifications, but does not meet a major customer’s (Pepsico) criteria for reducing water use. This project will trial several approaches to use novel, rotating ionised air nozzles in a can rinser that:Exceeds specifications in contaminant removal; Reduces rinsing water use to zero; Fits into footprint (1×1.6m) of exisiting can filling lines; Delivers 160,000 cph throughput, alongside 100% reliability (no unplanned stoppages) and 24/7 operation. We have identified potential sales 0f £20m; £3m from Pepsico alone post-project.