Raw Receiving Expansion

Year: 2023/25

Scope: Our team supported the design and integration of a new raw potato receiving area as part of a major potato processing plant expansion project. The scope included truck unloading systems, raw potato storage infrastructure, fluming systems, soil extraction equipment, and integration with downstream washing operations. 

Challenges: Coordinating fluming systems and soil extraction equipment with existing process and utility infrastructure.  Managing product handling requirements while minimizing potato damage and product loss. 

Results: The receiving system was designed to accommodate high-volume truck unloading operations while minimizing product damage, improving operational flexibility, and supporting effective soil removal prior to washing operations. Peak coordinated multiple process, civil, structural, and mechanical systems within the expansion footprint. Potato fluming system was designed to minimize fresh water usage by integrating soil extraction cyclones sending the heavy slurry to settling ponds. Flexibility in unloading options was included to allow multiple grower unloading strategies simultaneously. 

Engineering scope included:

• Conceptual Process Development
• Equipment Layout Planning
• Potato Concrete Bunker Design
• Process Water Piping sizing and design
• Fluming pit sizing and design
• Vendor Management
• Equipment Specifications for RFP
• Soil Extraction System integration 
• Mechanical Installation Scope of Work
• Process Narrative and Functional Description 
• On site project engineering support
• Commissioning support