Depending on the available space and the environment, installation, operation and maintenance can become a real challenge. This is where technical know-how and individual solutions are required, as provided by Mohn GmbH in Meinerzhagen throughout Europe. The washing systems not only clean transport crates, but also various types of containers and even pallets. Special systems are offered for container trolleys and rack trolleys.
The company believes that individual customer support from the first consultation to installation and commissioning is the key to success. Numerous parameters play a role here. The first step is to determine how many containers per hour or per day need to be cleaned. Capacities of the washing lines can vary from 250 crates up to 3,000 crates per hour. Solutions are also worked out for different types of crates or pallets, tailored to the specific requirements.
Another decisive factor, for example, is the degree of pollution, in deciding whether to install a single or multi-tank system. And last but not least, the washing system must be easy and quick to clean. To ensure this, Mohn builds the machine housings completely in one piece and fully welded. The washing tunnels are equipped with a long active washing zone, the length of which varies depending on the design and washing performance. In addition, the washing tunnels are double-walled with 30 mm thick insulation. This not only contributes to an extended service life and the prevention of heat loss, but also to a reduction in noise levels during the washing process. The machine housing and stainless steel control cabinet are both designed hygenically.
Other factors that have an effect in practice are generously dimensioned tanks and powerful washing pumps that use maximum mechanical forces with high circulation and pressure to deal with the dirt. The strength of the washing pump depends on the number of containers or type of trays to be cleaned and their degree of soiling. The “standard” 250-BACK washing machine (up to 250 containers or 150 trays per hour), for example, operates with a stainless steel centrifugal pump with 4 kW output at a circulation of 1,000 l/min and 2 bar washing pressure, distributed over 50 stainless steel flat-jet nozzles.
The stainless steel washing nozzles with wide passages ensure thorough cleaning and do not collect dirt due to self-cleaning. An external box filter ensures that large quantities of dirt are absorbed and can also be cleaned during operation. A further addition to improve performance is the simple height adjustment of the hold-down device for different wash items. According to the company, the design engineers have created a technical trick in the construction and arrangement of the jet nozzles. The nozzle assemblies can be removed and completely cleaned in a few simple steps. They can then only be reinstalled in the optimum position. This has the advantage that the washing pattern cannot be changed. A well-thought-out measure against unnecessary water carry-over from the washing tunnel is the sloping passage of the Euronorm containers. Ergonomics were also taken into account in the design. For example, the maintenance doors were designed so that all parts of the system are easily accessible and simple to clean. The installation of a cold-water pre-spray is optional to prevent coarse dirt or protein ingress going into the washing tunnel. For fast drying, insulated blow-off tunnels or centrifugal drying modules can be added as a supplement.