Starting up your newly installed Expeller, Expander, Extruder, or complete oilseed processing system for the first time can be daunting. These industrial machines and technical processes can seem overwhelming, especially to a new operator—but the good news is that you don’t have to tackle it alone. With Anderson’s startup services and oilseed processing equipment commissioning, you can tap into more than 135 years of expertise firing up these formidable machines—extracting our knowledge to master your plant operations.
If you’re wondering, “What is commissioning, anyway?” or “Why can’t I just start up my machines myself?” you’ve come to the right place. Here’s a closer look at the equipment commissioning process that Anderson’s expert engineers and specialized technicians will guide you through to start up your plant—giving you a strong foundation for operational success.
What is commissioning?
Equipment commissioning is a rigorous process of ensuring that all systems are properly installed and thoroughly tested for optimal performance before a plant goes online. The equipment commissioning process is performed after machines are installed and fired up for the first time, which can happen with brand-new equipment or following updates and upgrades.
In oilseed processing plants and other industrial factories, equipment commissioning is not as simple as just checking a few connections and flipping a switch. The equipment commissioning process involves days—if not weeks—of complex engineering procedures and technical inspections to test every component of a system.
Additionally, thorough equipment commissioning helps identify and correct any problems before an oilseed processing plant is put into service—preventing potential issues and improving performance going forward.
The advantages of Anderson’s startup service
Anderson Expellers, Expanders, Extruders, and other mechanical oilseed processing machines are highly technical, specialized equipment. To master the art of the do-it-yourself startup, you need an experienced team of qualified service technicians and engineers with the expertise to navigate a complicated equipment commissioning checklist.
Many oilseed processing plants don’t have this technical expertise in-house—but that doesn’t stop them from trying to tackle the commissioning process themselves. As a result, they might spend an excessive amount of time tinkering with their machines and overlooking potential issues that could derail their operations down the line. They may not be able to recognize the normal hum of an Expeller compared to strange sounds or irregular vibrations that would alarm a trained technician. These mistakes can be detrimental to a plant’s productivity and profitability.
With more than 135 years of experience designing, manufacturing, commissioning, and servicing oilseed processing equipment, Anderson’s certified technicians and engineers know exactly what to look (and listen) for to ensure that machines run smoothly. By leveraging our deep expertise and ingrained knowledge, plants can sail through startup and commissioning up to five times faster than if they attempted to fire up machines unassisted. The faster we can get your equipment running—and verify that it’s running properly—the sooner your plant can start turning a profit.
Although Anderson’s equipment commissioning services are not included in the price of your machine, investing in a smooth startup instantly pays off—and reaps long-term benefits in the future. When every minute of downtime eats away at the bottom line, turning to the experts for equipment commissioning ensures that your system can start running sooner, more smoothly, and more efficiently over the long term. Our startup experts won’t leave until we’re confident that your machines are set up to run at peak performance and your team is equipped with the training they need to operate your equipment like pros.
The equipment commissioning process
A lot of planning and intricate details must come together to successfully start up complex oil mill operations, whether you’re installing a single piece of equipment or a full processing system. Anderson’s startup services are designed to make this launch as smooth and simple as possible.
Here’s what to expect during a typical equipment commissioning process at your oilseed processing plant.
- Plan ahead. We require at least two weeks’ notice to schedule a technician to be on-site for your equipment startup. Before our techs arrive, we’ll conduct a virtual pre-commissioning kickoff meeting to make sure your equipment is fully installed and ready to fire up. Before scheduling your startup service, you should engage local mechanical and electrical contractors to properly install the equipment according to the detailed engineering drawings and instructions we provide.
- Close inspection. On the first day that our technicians arrive on-site, they’ll meet with your team to lay out a detailed plan of attack covering every step of your plant’s startup and equipment commissioning process. Day one begins with inspections to verify that your equipment has been properly installed, the supply lines and electrical hookups correctly connected, the safety guards securely fastened, and all other details in place before firing up your machines.
- Dry commissioning. Once the equipment passes inspection, we’ll power it up without any oilseed product. This startup step ensures that the shaft is spinning smoothly, the control panels are working properly, and everything is running as it should. During the initial startup phase, our certified technicians keep their eyes and ears peeled for any abnormal noises or vibrations.
- Wet commissioning. If machines pass the initial dry run, it’s time to start feeding raw seed material. This is the climax of equipment commissioning, as we gradually ramp up to full capacity, subjecting the press to full-load testing. We’ll keep machines running for at least 24 hours, spanning morning and night shifts, before we consider a plant fully commissioned.
- Operational training. As the machine is running, we thoroughly train your in-house team on operating the equipment, what to look and listen for, how often to perform service and maintenance, and other nuances involved in keeping presses crushing.
- Quality control. Throughout the equipment commissioning process, we’ll make note of any issues we encounter and end each day with a list of outstanding action items that need to be addressed to get the machine running at peak performance. We’ll even test the quality of the oil and meal byproducts produced during the test run to ensure that your system is optimized for maximum results.
- Hand-off. After your machines sail through every step of the equipment commissioning process, we’ll sign off on your plant and hand operations over to your team. We’ll conclude with a closing meeting to highlight any open action items—but by this point, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge you need to keep your machines running.
The entire equipment commissioning process might take between 3 to 5 days to start up a single machine. If we’re starting up a complete oilseed processing line, we’ll typically schedule an initial pre-commissioning visit, which could span up to two weeks, then return a month later for the actual plant startup and full system commissioning process. An entire plant running dozens of machines might take weeks to bring online.
Support beyond equipment commissioning
Anderson’s engineers and service technicians are certified in oilseed processing operations, bringing more than 700 years of combined industry experience and drawing from the company’s rich history dating back to the late 1800s. Having commissioned over 12,000 pieces of equipment for over 1,000 plant installations in more than 100 countries, processing more than 80 different oilseed varieties, our experts have seen it all and know how to troubleshoot any issue to get your plant running.
But Anderson’s support doesn’t end when equipment commissioning is complete. We proudly stand by our products by providing end-to-end training and service for the lifetime of our machines—which will likely outlast you and your team, considering that we have installations from the 1920s still in operation today.
From the first time you fire up your press until the thousandth time and beyond, we’re committed to keeping our customers’ plants running to achieve the best quality products, optimal yields, and maximum ROI.
Ready to start up your oilseed processing plant with expert support? Contact Anderson to schedule your equipment commissioning service today.