Goldkist managers in-stalled vertical scraped-surface heat exchangers in Russellville when they entered the value-added MSC market in 1996. Encouraged by product demand, they installed a second MSC line last year at the Florida plant, boosting capacity above 1 million lbs. per week.
But Byproducts Manager Ross Formica was determined to eliminate some of Russellville's production and maintenance problems, and a heavier-duty heat exchanger was a top priority. The answer was the Votator II vertical heat exchanger from Waukesha Cherry-Burrell. Featuring larger mechanical seals and shafts, "it's just a beefed up version of the units we have in the Russellville system," explains Formica. "It'll take more abuse without damaging the equipment."