The INT-9 system controls the injection of citric acid and chlorine into the process to maintain pH and disinfection levels in the produce wash water. The INT-9 controller also monitors wash water temperature and provides the customer with automatic data reports detailing all process variable information (min, max, mean) as well as local and remote alarm annunciation. Accurate data collection is an extremely important part of the fruit and vegetable sanitizing process as it helps ensure that the produce is free of any biological contamination prior to reaching the packaging process. The INT-9 control system allows the plant operators to monitor the process at all times over the customer’s LAN. The Modbus TCP/IP communication feature is also enabled at this facility to permit data flow directly from the INT-9 controller to the plant DCS. Enabling the Modbus feature permits the customer to independently collect and archive valuable process data.

There are other companies that manufacture controllers for this type of application but very few of them address data acquisition and online monitoring without involving a third party or a separate data collection device or communication module. In this case, the customer recognized immediately that the INT-9 system addresses all of the elements required to help maintain Sanitation Operating Procedures and Good Agricultural Practices by providing accurate chemical feed, data collection, auto-reporting, alarm annunciation and online monitoring of the process. Simply put, the INT-9 does it all! Ease of use is another reason why our equipment was selected for this application. The customer acknowledges that the INT-9 controller is a perfect fit for this application and for this market in general.

This application exists within every Produce Processing Company around the world. Most of these companies have multiple flume wash systems as well as other related processes within their facilities where the INT-9 would be a perfect fit. Process equipment manufacturing companies would also be an excellent target for the INT-9 controller. Process equipment companies would welcome the opportunity to introduce this type of equipment to the end-user as it allows them to offer the complete package.