Mixing Microbe Ingredients for Keeton Industries Wellington, CO

General Description

Keeton Industries is an industry leader dedicated to creating products for the responsible management of water. As part of Keeton’s product offering they manufacture and sell several varieties of beneficial microbes to treat ponds, lakes, fisheries, and waste water facilities. The manufacturing process for the microbes requires the mixing of various dry ingredients prior to storage and packaging.

Keeton was seeking a way to improve and expand their mixing capabilities which lead them to contact KWS Manufacturing. Based on the mixing requirements KWS provided a dual-ribbon batch mixer along with a support structure. The KWS ribbon mixer received major ingredients from bulk bags conveyed through a vacuum pneumatic line which then discharged into a receiver mounted to the cover of the mixer. The minor ingredients were pre-mixed by hand and then manually added to the mixer. Upon completion of the mixing process, the microbes are discharged into portable storage hoppers where the product remains until it is ready for packaging.

Design Parameters

1. Product Type: – Ground Corn Cob and Various Probiotic Granules
2. Material Density – 40 Lbs. per Cubic Foot
3. Batch Mixer Working Capacity – 60 Cubic Feet

KWS Advantages

Keeton had contacted several other mixer manufacturers prior to contacting KWS. A key advantage KWS was able to provide was a significantly shorter lead time than the other mixer manufacturers. KWS was able to complete the engineering/design process, manufacturing, and delivery of the mixer in time to meet Keeton’s installation schedule. KWS’s robust design and high quality, heavy-duty construction were major factors in Keeton’s decision to work with KWS.

Along with the mixer, KWS designed and supplied a support structure to elevate the mixer’s discharge 7 feet above ground level. KWS engineers designed the structure using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to ensure structural rigidity. The structure was designed to straddle the large portable storage bins used to accept the microbe mixtures as they are discharged from the mixer.

Special Features

The KWS batch mixer included a dual ribbon assembly with a right hand, outer ribbon flight and a left hand, inner ribbon flight to promote thorough mixing. The main cover of the mixer is hinged on one side and clamped on the opposite. Heavy-duty gas springs are used to facilitate easy opening and closing of the cover when maintenance and cleaning are required.

A secondary inlet with hinged and clamped cover is also incorporated in the design for the addition of minor ingredients without the need to lift the main cover and shutdown the mixer. Each cover is fitted with a push button limit switch for operator safety. The mixer agitator will stop rotating if a cover is opened during normal operation. As part of our commitment for building safe equipment, KWS provided safety screens for the inlet cover and the pneumatic gate mounted on the mixer’s discharge to avoid any potential injury to the operator or other plant personnel while the mixer is in operation.