Automated Hops Handling System for Major UK Brewery

One of the UK's largest brewing companies required an automated and hygienic system to transfer hops from a central intake point to several mixers. The project needed to improve operator efficiency, reduce manual handling, maintain product integrity and allow flexible routing between different production areas.

Entecon designed, manufactured, installed and commissioned a fully integrated hops handling system incorporating three Aero Mechanical Conveyors, multiple pneumatic diverter valves, a Sack Tip Station, central electrical controls, an HMI interface and integrated safety interlocks.

The three Aero Mechanical Conveyors transfer hops from the Sack Tip Station to the mixer selected by the operator. Product trials were carried out at Entecon before manufacture to confirm that the conveying system would handle the hops gently and reliably.

Pneumatic diverter valves provide several transfer paths from the single intake point and allow product to be routed automatically.

The PLC-based controls and touchscreen HMI provide recipe-based routing, automatic operating sequences, fault diagnostics, alarms and safety monitoring while integrating with the brewery's existing control architecture.

Entecon completed the mechanical and electrical installation, control integration, commissioning and operator training. Factory Acceptance Testing and Site Acceptance Testing were also completed before handover.

The finished system has improved production efficiency and flexibility while reducing manual handling. It provides automated hops transfer, dependable process control and the ability to route material to multiple destinations as part of the brewery's wider automation strategy.