Optimizing Seed Treatment with a Custom-Designed Batch and Continuous Process Skid

EPIC Systems designed and fabricated a custom modular continuous process system for an agricultural company, streamlining their chemical seed treatment operations with enhanced efficiency, safety, and sustainability. The system’s innovative design combined advanced automation, precise chemical handling, and ergonomic features, achieving significant cost savings and scalable global deployment.

Hygienic Process System Design

Project

Overview

  • Industry: Agriculture
  • Company Size: Fortune 500
  • Location: International
  • Customer Use Case: Batch Washing/Drying, Modular Skid

Customer’s

Challenge

A multinational agricultural company faced challenges in labor costs, process inefficiency, and safety concerns in its seed treatment operations. The company sought a modular solution that could seamlessly integrate into their existing manufacturing space while meeting stringent safety and structural requirements.  

Key demands included: 

  • Combining continuous chemical mixing and batch processes for seed treatment. 
  • Handling both liquid and powder chemicals efficiently. 
  • Ensuring safety measures beyond federal standards due to seismic risks at the system’s installation site.
  • Minimizing waste while improving ergonomic operations for workers. 

The company needed a custom-built solution that could address these challenges while delivering high throughput within a tight three-week timeline. 

Epic

Solution

EPIC Systems delivered a modular stainless steel process skid tailored to the customer’s specific needs. Designed to fit seamlessly within the plant’s existing layout, the system was completed within an impressive three-week timeline. Its modular construction allowed for rapid deployment and ensured adaptability for use in other facilities. 

The system was engineered to handle seven different chemicals in both liquid and powder forms, enabling seamless transitions between two distinct chemical mixing processes. At its core, a custom stainless steel recipe tank equipped with an agitator ensured precise blending of chemicals. Automated dosing systems, integrated with precision scales and a computerized control system, guaranteed accuracy in every batch—a critical feature given the high cost of the chemicals involved. 

To enhance safety and ease of operation, EPIC incorporated a custom hydraulic lift that simplified the handling of heavy seed bags, reducing strain on workers. The system’s ergonomic design included well-placed platforms, handrails, and pinch-point-free components to prioritize operator safety. Additionally, the structure was reinforced to withstand seismic events, ensuring reliability in geographically unstable regions. 

Sustainability and waste management were key considerations in the design. A piping system efficiently directed waste material into a ground-level storage tank, minimizing loss and environmental impact. Furthermore, detachable legs made the system portable, allowing it to be redeployed globally as needed. 

Advanced automation and controls were integrated into the skid to streamline operations. The system featured complete instrumentation, electrical design, HMI configuration, and PLC programming. An onboard PLC/HMI control system with a single-point power source simplified operation, making the system user-friendly while maintaining high levels of precision and reliability. 

This comprehensive solution addressed the client’s operational, safety, and sustainability needs while setting a new standard for efficiency in chemical seed treatment systems. 

Project

Impact

  • Operational Efficiency: By streamlining chemical mixing and seed treatment processes, the system increased throughput and reduced downtime. This efficiency translated into higher production capacity, enabling the company to meet growing market demands without requiring additional labor resources. 
  • Cost Savings: The system’s precise automated dosing and advanced instrumentation minimized waste, optimizing the use of expensive chemicals. This level of accuracy reduced material costs and ensured consistent product quality, delivering long-term financial benefits. 
  • Workforce Productivity and Safety: Ergonomically designed features, including the custom hydraulic lift and accessible platforms, significantly reduced worker strain and improved safety. This allowed operators to focus on high-value tasks rather than manual labor, enhancing productivity while reducing workplace injuries. 
  • Global Scalability: The portable and adaptable design made the system a scalable solution, easily deployable across the company’s facilities worldwide. This flexibility supports the company’s global growth strategy by ensuring consistent operations across diverse locations. 
  • Sustainability and Compliance: The waste management system effectively minimized environmental impact by reducing chemical loss and ensuring safe disposal. Combined with seismic-resistant structural reinforcements, the system also met and exceeded stringent safety and regulatory requirements. 

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