APOLLO AUTOMATIONJAMES WARREN · ENGINEERING & PROJECT LEADERSHIPCASE-042 · Engineering case
Used centrifuge operating and test evidence to restore filtration performance for wine and cider-vinegar production.
Restore filtration throughput targets by reducing daily filtration from post-change durations of ten hours toward pre-change performance of roughly four hours per day.
Engineering scope: Centrifuge filtration for wine and cider vinegar, DE and fiber filter aid cost control, production scheduling for equipment relocation.
Reduced filtration time from about ten to seven hours per day's production in the wine-centrifugation trial; evaluated downstream vinegar centrifugation to restore the former four-hour rate.
Workstream Portfolio Rollup
18,317,000 USD
Wine Clarification and Vinegar Polishing Modernization
Recorded workstream portfolio reference. This is the workstream-level value and is not a project expenditure or a new total of reassigned projects.
| Measure | Value | Type & meaning | Attribution & operating context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oil-Change Procedure Duration | 10 min | Observation Vendor training record | Applies to: Centrifuge filtration recovery and equipment-relocation evaluation Centrifuge supplier startup, 2024-10-22 — Centrifuge supplier reported demonstrating the ten-minute oil-change process during operator training at the startup. |
| Flow | 30 GPM | Observation Vendor trial observation | Applies to: Centrifuge filtration recovery and equipment-relocation evaluation Centrifuge supplier trial, 22–23 October 2024 — Initial Apple Wine startup — Vendor-reported initial apple wine startup: flow. |
| Outlet Backpressure | 150 psi | Observation Vendor trial observation | Applies to: Centrifuge filtration recovery and equipment-relocation evaluation Centrifuge supplier trial, 22–23 October 2024 — Initial Apple Wine startup — Vendor-reported initial apple wine startup: outlet backpressure. |
| Flow | 30 GPM | Observation Vendor trial observation | Applies to: Centrifuge filtration recovery and equipment-relocation evaluation Centrifuge supplier trial, 22–23 October 2024 — After inline-to-lab scaling — Vendor-reported after inline-to-lab scaling: flow. |
| Outlet Backpressure | 100 psi | Observation Vendor trial observation | Applies to: Centrifuge filtration recovery and equipment-relocation evaluation Centrifuge supplier trial, 22–23 October 2024 — After inline-to-lab scaling — Vendor-reported after inline-to-lab scaling: outlet backpressure. |
| Outlet Turbidity | 17 NTU | Observation Vendor trial observation | Applies to: Centrifuge filtration recovery and equipment-relocation evaluation Centrifuge supplier trial, 22–23 October 2024 — After inline-to-lab scaling — Vendor-reported after inline-to-lab scaling: outlet turbidity. |
| Flow | 40 GPM | Observation Vendor trial observation | Applies to: Centrifuge filtration recovery and equipment-relocation evaluation Centrifuge supplier trial, 22–23 October 2024 — Raised flow — Vendor-reported raised flow: flow. |
| Outlet Backpressure | 100 psi | Observation Vendor trial observation | Applies to: Centrifuge filtration recovery and equipment-relocation evaluation Centrifuge supplier trial, 22–23 October 2024 — Raised flow — Vendor-reported raised flow: outlet backpressure. |
| Outlet Turbidity | 20 NTU | Observation Vendor trial observation | Applies to: Centrifuge filtration recovery and equipment-relocation evaluation Centrifuge supplier trial, 22–23 October 2024 — Raised flow — Vendor-reported raised flow: outlet turbidity. |
| Flow | 40 GPM | Observation Vendor trial observation | Applies to: Centrifuge filtration recovery and equipment-relocation evaluation Centrifuge supplier trial, 22–23 October 2024 — Reduced outlet backpressure — Vendor-reported reduced outlet backpressure: flow. |
| Outlet Backpressure | 75 psi | Observation Vendor trial observation | Applies to: Centrifuge filtration recovery and equipment-relocation evaluation Centrifuge supplier trial, 22–23 October 2024 — Reduced outlet backpressure — Vendor-reported reduced outlet backpressure: outlet backpressure. |
| Outlet Turbidity | 20 NTU | Observation Vendor trial observation | Applies to: Centrifuge filtration recovery and equipment-relocation evaluation Centrifuge supplier trial, 22–23 October 2024 — Reduced outlet backpressure — Vendor-reported reduced outlet backpressure: outlet turbidity. |
| Flow | 50 GPM | Observation Vendor trial observation | Applies to: Centrifuge filtration recovery and equipment-relocation evaluation Centrifuge supplier trial, 22–23 October 2024 — Following-day repeated run — Vendor-reported following-day repeated run: flow. |
| Outlet Backpressure | 100 psi | Observation Vendor trial observation | Applies to: Centrifuge filtration recovery and equipment-relocation evaluation Centrifuge supplier trial, 22–23 October 2024 — Following-day repeated run — Vendor-reported following-day repeated run: outlet backpressure. |
| Outlet Turbidity | 23 NTU | Observation Vendor trial observation | Applies to: Centrifuge filtration recovery and equipment-relocation evaluation Centrifuge supplier trial, 22–23 October 2024 — Following-day repeated run — Vendor-reported following-day repeated run: outlet turbidity. |
| Stable Production Duration | approximately 5 h | Observation Vendor trial observation | Applies to: Centrifuge filtration recovery and equipment-relocation evaluation Centrifuge supplier trial, 22–23 October 2024 — Vendor reported approximately five hours without production issues at the stated settings after the air adjustment. |
| Additional Air-Pressure Adjustment | 5 psi | Observation Vendor trial observation | Applies to: Centrifuge filtration recovery and equipment-relocation evaluation Centrifuge supplier trial, 22–23 October 2024 — Vendor increased supply air another 5 psi after a low-pressure alarm. |
| Solids Discharge Interval | 4 to 5 min | Observation Vendor trial observation | Applies to: Centrifuge filtration recovery and equipment-relocation evaluation Centrifuge supplier trial, 22–23 October 2024 — Vendor-reported discharge interval at 50 GPM; solids packing and post-rinse needs varied with flow. |
| Solids Discharge Interval | 12 to 13 min | Observation Vendor trial observation | Applies to: Centrifuge filtration recovery and equipment-relocation evaluation Centrifuge supplier trial, 22–23 October 2024 — Vendor-reported discharge interval at 40 GPM; solids packing and post-rinse needs varied with flow. |
| Automatic Recipe Flow | 50 GPM | Operating Control Configured trial recipe | Applies to: Centrifuge filtration recovery and equipment-relocation evaluation Centrifuge supplier trial, 22–23 October 2024 — Vendor-developed automatic recipe; 10 GPM was a slow overnight option with occasional checks recommended. |
| Automatic Recipe Flow | 40 GPM | Operating Control Configured trial recipe | Applies to: Centrifuge filtration recovery and equipment-relocation evaluation Centrifuge supplier trial, 22–23 October 2024 — Vendor-developed automatic recipe; 10 GPM was a slow overnight option with occasional checks recommended. |
| Automatic Recipe Flow | 10 GPM | Operating Control Configured trial recipe | Applies to: Centrifuge filtration recovery and equipment-relocation evaluation Centrifuge supplier trial, 22–23 October 2024 — Vendor-developed automatic recipe; 10 GPM was a slow overnight option with occasional checks recommended. |
| Operator-Reported Flow | 40 GPM | Observation Operator trial observation | Applies to: Centrifuge filtration recovery and equipment-relocation evaluation Centrifuge supplier operator report, 25 October 2024 — Operator report of the stated run; no reported issues during this 5,500 gallon observation. |
| Operator-Reported Outlet Turbidity | 21 NTU | Observation Operator trial observation | Applies to: Centrifuge filtration recovery and equipment-relocation evaluation Centrifuge supplier operator report, 25 October 2024 — Operator report of the stated run; no reported issues during this 5,500 gallon observation. |
| Operator-Reported Processed Volume | 5,500 gal | Observation Operator trial observation | Applies to: Centrifuge filtration recovery and equipment-relocation evaluation Centrifuge supplier operator report, 25 October 2024 — Operator report of the stated run; no reported issues during this 5,500 gallon observation. |
| Rental-Trial Planning Period | 1 month | Target Schedule basis | Applies to: Centrifuge filtration recovery and equipment-relocation evaluation rental trial — Duration used for the trial installation planning. |
| Apple-Wine Inlet Turbidity | > 2,000 NTU | Observation Plant-reported operating context | Applies to: Centrifuge filtration recovery and equipment-relocation evaluation comparison-facility apple wine from fermenters — Incoming apple wine was described as above 2000 NTU. |
| Apple-Wine Outlet Criterion | <= 60 NTU | Target Plant preference | Applies to: Centrifuge filtration recovery and equipment-relocation evaluation comparison-facility apple wine to acetators — Desired outlet of 60 NTU or less. |
| Cider Inlet Turbidity | 750 NTU | Observation Plant-reported operating context | Applies to: Centrifuge filtration recovery and equipment-relocation evaluation comparison-facility acetator cider to membrane-filter feed tank — Typical incoming cider reference. |
| Cider Outlet Criterion | <= 50 NTU | Target Plant preference | Applies to: Centrifuge filtration recovery and equipment-relocation evaluation comparison-facility acetator cider to membrane-filter feed tank — Typical desired outlet at or below 50 NTU depending on speed. |
| WDV Circulation Inlet Turbidity | > 1,800 NTU | Observation Plant-reported operating context | Applies to: Centrifuge filtration recovery and equipment-relocation evaluation comparison-facility white-distilled-vinegar membrane-filter circulation — Incoming recirculation stream was described as above 1800 NTU. |
| WDV Circulation Outlet Turbidity | 350 NTU | Observation Plant-reported operating context | Applies to: Centrifuge filtration recovery and equipment-relocation evaluation comparison-facility white-distilled-vinegar membrane-filter circulation — Outlet reported while recirculating to remove solids. |
| WDV Circulation Flow | 25 GPM | Observation Plant-reported operating context | Applies to: Centrifuge filtration recovery and equipment-relocation evaluation comparison-facility white-distilled-vinegar membrane-filter circulation — Flow reported for the recirculation example. |
| WDV Circulation Duration | approximately 8 h | Observation Plant-reported operating context | Applies to: Centrifuge filtration recovery and equipment-relocation evaluation comparison-facility white-distilled-vinegar membrane-filter circulation — Approximate duration of the recirculation run. |
| Optional Trial Ethernet Run | 150 ft | Design Parameter Installation planning | Applies to: Centrifuge filtration recovery and equipment-relocation evaluation trial connectivity — Cable option conditional on IT and supplier remote-support need. |
| Bentonite-Treated Production Share | 75 % | Baseline Historical process context | Applies to: Separated filtration processing time from unattended bentonite-treatment elapsed time when evaluating post-formulation-change capacity and filter-aid demand Post-formulation-change treatment — Bentonite-treated production share — Post-formulation-change treatment |
| Untreated Production Share | 25 % | Baseline Historical process context | Applies to: Separated filtration processing time from unattended bentonite-treatment elapsed time when evaluating post-formulation-change capacity and filter-aid demand Post-formulation-change treatment — Untreated production share — Post-formulation-change treatment |
| Treatment and Processing Elapsed Time | 49 hours | Baseline Historical process context | Applies to: Separated filtration processing time from unattended bentonite-treatment elapsed time when evaluating post-formulation-change capacity and filter-aid demand Includes unattended treatment; not labor hours — Treatment and processing elapsed time — Includes unattended treatment; not labor hours |
| Post-Order Completion Window | 12 weeks | Target Schedule target | Applies to: Defined filtration quality, capacity and filter-aid cost criteria for the centrifuge option and its post-purchase-order completion plan AFE acceptance plan — Post-order completion window — AFE acceptance plan |
| Relocation Outage Allowance | 1 weeks | Estimate Schedule allowance | Applies to: Planned critical spares and supplier follow-up for an unbacked filtration system and inventory coverage during relocation of a leased unit Leased filter permanent-position relocation — Relocation outage allowance — Leased filter permanent-position relocation |
Project scope and individual work packages are presented separately; project totals are not additive to their component values.
1 detail rows; 347 K project-family value.
Food and Beverage Manufacturer
Owned the full project lifecycle, from capital planning through commissioning and post-startup support. Longer filtration cycles after process changes constrained the production day.
TSK-001021 · Trial review
Centrifuge Trial Performance, Documentation, and Supplier Tradeoff Analysis
ACTIVITIES IN CONTEXT
TSK-000085 · Technical context
Centrifuge Filtration Recovery and Equipment-Relocation Evaluation
TSK-001029 · Process comparison
Centrifuge Filtration Recovery and Equipment-Relocation Evaluation
TSK-001030 · Acceptance criteria
Centrifuge Filtration Recovery and Equipment-Relocation Evaluation
TSK-001034 · Execution planning
Centrifuge Filtration Recovery and Equipment-Relocation Evaluation
Vendor Startup, Training and Trial Configuration
Vendor Contribution
Performed rental-trial startup, operator training, meter rescaling, operating adjustments and automatic-recipe configuration.
Full lifecycle project ownership
Owned the full project lifecycle: capital planning and prioritization, need definition, feasibility and scope development, engineering and AFE justification, procurement and vendor coordination, construction sequencing and field oversight, commissioning, turnover, and post-startup support. Connected operating requirements with technical scope, funding decisions, execution readiness, and the needs of operations and maintenance.
Project Team Contribution
Team Contribution
personnel connected site utilities, participated in training and reported the 5,500-gallon production run and solids-handling observations.
The centrifuge supplier vendor reported onsite startup at the facility on 22–23 October 2024 after site utilities were connected. Vendor personnel trained Project stakeholder and Rene on assembly, bowl-control-valve service and a ten-minute oil-change procedure. They ran water and CIP, adjusted low supply-air pressure, compared the inline turbidity meter with site laboratory measurements, and changed its scaling to align more closely with the lab. Apple Wine trials progressed from 30 GPM at 150 psi initial backpressure to 30 GPM/100 psi/~17 NTU, then 40 GPM/100 psi/~20 NTU and 40 GPM/75 psi/~20 NTU. The following day the vendor reported 50 GPM/100 psi/23 NTU, 4–5 minute solids-discharge cycles and approximately five hours without production issues after an additional 5 psi air adjustment. They developed automatic White Foam/Cider and 50/40/10 GPM recipes; 40 GPM discharge intervals were 12–13 minutes. Post-rinse requirements depended on discharge pumpability, and occasional operator or remote checks were still recommended. Coordinated and reviewed the vendor/site evidence.
A operator reported a 5,500-gallon run at 40 GPM and 21 NTU without observed issues. At 50 GPM the discharged solids were wetter. The operator found the centrifuge supplier discharge arrangement more forgiving than the centrifuge supplier solids tank and described using a plastic hopper liner to aid emptying; this is a specific observed comparison, not a universal maintenance result.
Included 7500 USD at the facility plant installation incidentals in the AFE planning for a one-month rental trial, separate from the supplier equipment-purchase decision.
A comparison facility described apple wine from fermenters at more than 2000 NTU with a desired outlet of 60 NTU or less; cider from acetators entered near 750 NTU and was usually targeted at 50 NTU or less before the membrane supplier feed tank. Separate cider-tank circulation removed solids rather than meeting a fixed outlet-clarity target. White-distilled-vinegar circulation was reported at more than 1800 NTU feed, about 350 NTU outlet and 25 GPM for roughly 8 hours. These are distinct product duties.
Reviewed a 5173.50 USD spare-parts package including mechanical seals and a recommendation to hold a minor-service kit locally. The package supported downtime planning rather than documenting an executed purchase.
Owned the full project lifecycle: capital planning and prioritization, need definition, feasibility and scope development, engineering and AFE justification, procurement and vendor coordination, construction sequencing and field oversight, commissioning, turnover, and post-startup support. Connected operating requirements with technical scope, funding decisions, execution readiness, and the needs of operations and maintenance.
Investigated the change in daily filtration duration, evaluated centrifuge use and equipment relocation, and aligned the scope with operating constraints. Comparing approximately ten-hour filtration days with the four-hour performance objective made the capacity problem concrete and supported an informed equipment decision.
