By Dhel Nazario
The I-Salt Project, which will examine an iodized salt processing model and design was recently launched in ceremonies held at a salt refinery farm in Barangay Cato, Infanta, Pangasinan.
(DOST/ MANILA BULLETIN)
The I-Salt Project utilizes three different technologies in its preparation. The first is the Saturated Brine Feed Reservoir, an evaporating setup which has a 300 liters per batch capacity and allows the production of finer salt with higher purity.
Next is the Spin Dryer, a technology designed to reduce the moisture of salt in accordance to R.A. 8172 or “An Act for Salt Iodization Nationwide (ASIN).”
This can process up to 75 kilos/ batch of salt even in humid and rainy conditions. From the Spin Dryer, salt will be transferred to an Iodizing Machine, a portable screw-type machine which is operated continuously with 750 kg per hour capacity.
This machine uniformly infuses iodine to the salt at the level of 30 to 70 ppm.
The project was done by the Department of Science and Technology- Industrial Technology Development Institute (DOST-ITDI) and DOST- Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD), coinciding with the Regional Science and Technology Week celebration in Alaminos City, Pangasinan.
Its launching was graced by the DOST officials led by Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña, Undersecretary for Regional Operations, Brenda L. Nazareth-Manzano, DOST-ITDI Director, Anabelle Briones, DOST Region 1 Director, Dr. Armando Q. Ganal, and Ms. Felicidad M. Gan, the Provincial Science and Technology Director (PSTD) of Pangasinan.
Sec. de la Peña recalled that one of the identified targets during the industry forum conducted in Pangasinan last 2015 was the production of iodized salt, thus the I-Salt Project for Infanta was approved to boost the product quality and productivity of local salt producers in Pangasinan.