A method for moving wetted seeds from a tank includes positioning a first batch of seeds within a tank, directing water from a water source to the tank, wetting the first batch of seeds within the tank with the water from the water source to initiate germination of the first batch of seeds, releasing the first batch of seeds from the tank to a pod line in fluid communication with an assembly line grow pod after a predetermined time, and subsequent to releasing the first batch of seeds from the tank, detecting a level of seeds remaining in the tank.

A method for conveying a working medium within a supply line (2), wherein a pig package (48) is moved into the supply line (2) by means of a pushing medium conveyed by a first pump (40) to a proximal end of the supply line (2), is intended to enable TPS operation in a manner that is as technically simple as possible. To this end, a first conveying quantity of the pushing medium is determined by means of a first flow-measuring cell (44) associated with the proximal end, wherein a position of the pig package (48) in the supply line (2) is determined from the first conveying quantity and information about the cross-section of the supply line (2).

A method for conveying a working medium within a supply line (2), wherein a pig package (48) is moved into the supply line (2) by means of a pushing medium conveyed by a first pump (40) to a proximal end of the supply line (2), is intended to enable TPS operation in a manner that is as technically simple as possible. To this end, a first conveying quantity of the pushing medium is determined by means of a first flow-measuring cell (44) associated with the proximal end, wherein a position of the pig package (48) in the supply line (2) is determined from the first conveying quantity and information about the cross-section of the supply line (2).

A transfer mechanism for transferring food product from a compartment of a food processing system includes a conduit having a first end portion configured to be in communication with the compartment and a second end portion, a fluid discharge positioned substantially within the conduit between the first end portion and the second end portion, and a pressurized fluid source in communication with the fluid discharge. The pressurized fluid source is operable to propel a fluid through the fluid discharge to move the food product from the first end portion of the conduit toward the second end portion.

A transfer mechanism for transferring food product from a compartment of a food processing system includes a conduit having a first end portion configured to be in communication with the compartment and a second end portion, a fluid discharge positioned substantially within the conduit between the first end portion and the second end portion, and a pressurized fluid source in communication with the fluid discharge. The pressurized fluid source is operable to propel a fluid through the fluid discharge to move the food product from the first end portion of the conduit toward the second end portion.

A method of minimizing material mixing in a piping system during a transition between a first material and a second material includes providing a plurality of pipe pigs in a first pipe section with the plurality of pipe pigs being sufficient to substantially fill a cross-section of the first pipe section and to define a plug having a leading edge and a trailing edge such that the leading edge is in contact with a first material and the trailing edge is in contact with a second material. Each pipe pig has a nominal size that is smaller than an effective diameter of the first pipe section. The plug is moved through the piping system by moving the second material. Advantageously, mixing of the first material and the second material is inhibited by the plug.

A method for moving wetted seeds from a tank includes positioning a first batch of seeds within a tank, directing water from a water source to the tank, wetting the first batch of seeds within the tank with the water from the water source to initiate germination of the first batch of seeds, releasing the first batch of seeds from the tank to a pod line in fluid communication with an assembly line grow pod after a predetermined time, and subsequent to releasing the first batch of seeds from the tank, detecting a level of seeds remaining in the tank.

A transfer mechanism for transferring food product from a compartment of a food processing system includes a conduit having a first end portion configured to be in communication with the compartment and a second end portion, a fluid discharge positioned substantially within the conduit between the first end portion and the second end portion, and a pressurized fluid source in communication with the fluid discharge. The pressurized fluid source is operable to propel a fluid through the fluid discharge to move the food product from the first end portion of the conduit toward the second end portion.

A transfer mechanism for transferring food product from a compartment of a food processing system includes a conduit having a first end portion configured to be in communication with the compartment and a second end portion, a fluid discharge positioned substantially within the conduit between the first end portion and the second end portion, and a pressurized fluid source in communication with the fluid discharge. The pressurized fluid source is operable to propel a fluid through the fluid discharge to move the food product from the first end portion of the conduit toward the second end portion.

A suction nozzle which has a suction chamber with an underlying sump. The suction chamber is defined by a chamber top, a chamber bottom and a peripheral sidewall. Suction draws liquids through the inflow openings in the peripheral sidewall into the suction chamber. The sump underlies the suction chamber. Particles and denser liquids drawn toward the suction chamber tend to migrate along the sump top, passing down sloped surfaces and through a central inlet into the sump.