Avid Engineering

Case Studies

We are a mechanical engineering consulting firm that serves clients worldwide.

Condensation

CLIENT

Field Gate Organics | Ingersoll, Ontario
Piller’s Fine Foods | Brampton, Ontario

Overview
The client is a producer of fine-quality meats, charcuterie, and deli products. Their processing and packaging facility had multiple issues with problematic condensation formation on unwanted surfaces such as ceiling panels and walls.
Project
We were sanctioned to complete a ventilation study to find the cause of condensation formation. Upon a full review, we found that the facility was under a substantial negative pressure causing airflow issues, which caused warm humidity to be introduced to chilled areas, causing condensation.
Solution
We designed and developed a complete turnkey project that involved the strategically placed supply and exhaust air equipment to remedy airflow directions and plant pressurization. Once in operation, the ventilation system solved the primary objective and fixed secondary ventilation issues throughout the facility.
Results
The facilities now meet ventilation standards for food processing ventilation to ensure a food-safe product per CFIA requirements.

Energy Recovery

CLIENT

McCain Foods | Harbin, China
McCain Foods | Othello, Washington

Overview
The client is a leading producer of potato products. A portion of their process involves large frying systems, which require adherence to environmental guidelines for exhausting fryer vapors to the atmosphere. Given the vapor stream's high temperature and conditions, an energy recovery system was a viable option for payback and environmental purposes.
Project
We were sanctioned to develop an energy recovery system for the Fryer exhaust stream and provide a study on the potential energy capacity for use on multiple heat sinks across the process.
Solution
We designed and developed an entire energy recovery system complete with a vapor condenser vessel, exhaust fan, glycol system, and clean in place system. As a result, approximately 12 GJ of energy was recovered and utilized for various systems around the facility, such as building heating, process water heating, and process air heating.
Results
Steam savings of between 12,000 and 20,000 lbs/hr along with a significant reduction in coal consumption for specific locations with potential savings of $200,000 to $500,000 per year.

Clean Room

CLIENT

Luminultra | Fredericton, New Brunswick

Overview
The client is a producer of Covid testing kits and retrofitted an existing building to house their production line.
Project
Provide cleanroom quality ventilation to the production facility labs and processing areas and regular ventilation for ancillary spaces such as shipping and storage.
Solution
We provided a ventilation system design to adhere to all required codes and standards. As this was a fast-moving project with multiple additions and expansions, we had to adapt the ventilation designs on the fly to meet requirements while staying mindful of the budget.
Results
A functional, clean room ventilation system that efficiently improves the overall production process.

New Build

CLIENT

McCain Foods | Othello, Washington

Overview
The client is a leading producer of potato products and built a new 25 TPH potato line facility.
Project
The entire facility required ventilation design, from processing areas to ammonia rooms through to office ventilation.
Solution
We provided a complete ventilation design package for the entire facility, with comprehensive specifications, installation details, layouts, elevations, and control narratives. The designs incorporated food processing ventilation standards and provide proper heating, cooling, airflow directions, and pressurizations throughout the process.

Marijuana Production

CLIENT

Zenabis | Stellarton, Nova Scotia

Overview
The client is a leading producer of marijuana products and retrofitted an existing facility to house their new production space.
Project
The entire facility required ventilation design, from Vegetation and Drying areas to Trimming and office ventilation.
Solution
We provided a ventilation system design to adhere to all required codes and standards. As this was a fast-moving project with multiple additions and expansions, we had to adapt the ventilation designs on the fly to meet requirements while staying mindful of the budget.
Results
We provided a full ventilation design package for the entire facility, complete with specifications, installation details, layouts, elevations, and control narratives to meet the specific processing needs of the client. The designs incorporated specific equipment for proper heating, cooling, humidification, airflow, and pressurizations throughout the ventilation process.

Energy Feasibility Study

CLIENT

McCain Foods | Grand Falls, New Brunswick

Overview
The client built a new potato processing facility adjacent to an existing facility and had an opportunity to utilize the current steam system for both facilities. However, for this to work, steam consumption on the existing facility had to be reduced.
Project
We completed a feasibility review for switching the existing supply air ventilation systems from steam/glycol to direct-fired natural gas.
Solution
We presented all of the necessary calculations and backup information for energy consumption with multiple heating options. In addition, steam capacity was made available for increased savings.

Ventilation Assessment

CLIENT

McCain Foods | Plover, Wisconsin

Overview
The client is a leading producer of potato products and was experiencing ventilation, heating, and condensation difficulties throughout a large multi-line facility.
Project
We were sanctioned to provide a full ventilation assessment of all equipment on site. The ventilation assessment included inventories, performance measurements, and inspections.
Solution
We provided a full technical report outlining all equipment, its current condition, and its performance. Also offered were full air balancing figures on the entire facility accompanied by figure drawings showing equipment and capacities. Recommendations for improvement/replacement to meeting ventilation guidelines were provided, and a 5-year capital plan for ventilation upgrades.

"After verifying the scope of our air/fume issues, they proceeded with system evaluations and system measurements, which they performed safely and professionally. "
~Howard Skidmore | JR Simplot Company, Idaho Plant, Engineering Manager

AVID is your solutions driven partner.

Avid Engineering have successfully completed more than 600 projects over six continents.

Schedule a Call