ELEMENTS USED IN THE PROCESS

    The equipment used in the continuous re-tubing process consists of four fundamental devices, two of which, the de-clumping machine and the re-tubing machine, are also used in other culture systems such as non-continuous long-line and mussel rafts.

• THE DE-CLUMPING MACHINE, this machine de-clumps and grades mussel in a single operation with a yield of up to 4,000 kg/hour. Both the speed of de-clumping and the size of mussel to be graded can be regulated. It is driven by a hydraulic motor OMP 200. It weighs approximately 50 kg and is manufactured in stainless steel.

• THE RE-TUBING MACHINE, has an output of 1m/second of re-tubed rope- the diameter of which can be adjusted as required. It has a speed control knob, a stop-start device and its height can be adjusted. It is powered by two hydraulic motors, OMP 50 and OMP 32, and is manufactured in stainless steel.

• THE ACCESS RAMP, is a conduit made of 1.5 mm thick stainless steel plate whose outer edges are bent outwards. The inlet for the rope is rounded to facilitate its entry without detaching the mussels.

• THE HAULER, is a star-shaped device which allows for the passage of the pegged rope. It is made of stainless steel and is driven by a hydraulic pump OMP 400.It is set up in conjunction with the device for detaching the mussels (the stripper).

  This apparatus can be easily adapted to any type of vessel.

• THE STRIPPER, is a device for detaching mussels from the rope and consists of a framework of tubes with hooks attached. There is sufficient space between the tubes to allow the mussels to drop through, once the groups of mussels have been detached by the hooks.

The top part of the stripper consists of a similar framework of tubes which presses down onto the rope and detaches the mussels from the top.

Any mussel which is still stuck to the rope, is then detached by juxtaposed rubber flaps as it emerges from the stripper, leaving the rope completely free of mussels.