Case Study: Scolari

Serial automation for drying: Scolari relies on CAMLogic sensors

28/04/2021

Since 1950 Scolari has designed and manufactured drying, dehydration, roasting and composting plants. It is one of the most influential companies in the sector, as evidenced by the 6,000 square meters of a technologically advanced workshop that makes up the company, equipped with 6 overhead cranes.

The peculiarities of the Scolari plants

Scolari production is specialized in three specific sectors: agri-food, agro-industrial and agro-energy. For the agri-food sector, drying plants are created for both cereal and legume crops, destined for human or animal consumption. There are many drying technologies: with movable conveyors, removal agitators, vertical, at static cycle, with drawers, with fluid vibrating beds, and roasters. Scolari plants for the agro-industrial, on the other hand, concern the drying of seeds and plants for the treatment of organic waste or sewage sludge. Finally, the technologies for agro-energy applications are designed and developed to use the thermal energy dissipated by a biogas plant with which to operate a dryer, reducing operating costs and making the process more environmentally friendly.

Among the peculiarities of Scolari plants, the low temperature process (35°-130°C) and the analysis of the specific needs of the client and the material to be treated with checks on pilot plants. The experience of over seventy years also makes it possible to adapt the project to existing structures. Thermal energy is recovered from hot water and hot exhaust fumes from cogenerators, and the waste steam from processing cycles, air or hot water from biomass-fired boilers is used.

Specific sensors for drying, roasting and composting

Drying, roasting and composting require different and specific process systems. In the case of Scolari, applications may vary according to the reference sectors and the density of the products to be detected.

It is clear how the specific gravity and the respective environmental conditions, sometimes the risk of explosion, corrosion or high temperatures, can influence the detection of the material in tanks and silos. Thus, for the design of the plants, Scolari relies on the wide range of CAMLogic sensors, preferring a range in particular, to always ensure an efficient detection, independent of circumstantial criticalities.

The solution identified for the Scolari plants

The range identified as suitable for the case of Scolari plants is the PFG57 series, composed by small-sized level indicators to facilitate installation in narrow spaces, such as in batteries of silos very close to each other. It’s a complete range that offers variants for high temperature or corrosive materials, all customizable with different paddles, extensions and connections to process, allowing the client to adapt an instrument whose operation is already known to multiple conditions.

What the company was looking for was a unique and versatile solution to detect material:

  • corrosive and food;
  • light and dried;
  • in high temperature plants.

CAMLogic therefore proposed the entire PFG57 range, FCM and ATEX certified, articulated in all its variants and with a specific customization of the paddle.

"We were looking for a sensor capable of detecting dry and extremely light material, so we were offered the AC9 propeller. The plastic paddle is also installed in hoppers with humid material at room temperature, while in contact with more aggressive materials we apply level sensors with a paddle or even with the whole body in stainless steel. In some cases the sensors are used as clogging indicators: if the sensor always reads the vacuum it means that there are no hitches in the plant, while if it detects the material it means that an unwanted clogging has been created." Paolo Cavalli, engineer for Scolari Srl.

The models proposed by CAMLogic are thus small-sized rotary level indicators, generally with flanged connection to process and 24/48V (AC):

  • PFG57F2448/AC9PVC2/PCP57700
  • PFG57F2448/AC9PVC2

We dedicated a special focus on the PFG57 range, illustrating all the mechanical and electrical versions available. Find out more with the dedicated article.

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