boilers, pumps & valves


from their initial request. For new applications, or the higher the number of existing valves to be replaced at a production facility, the greater the cost saving that can be achieved by correctly specifying valve size.


The control valve is key, and precise specification is vital to optimise product quality and avoid production inefficiency For some applications, this level of accuracy isn’t


IncreasIng the accuracy and performance of steam control Failure to correctly specify the size of valve for steam control can also impact accuracy and performance. For applications such as pasteurised milk production, accurate control is essential to ensure the right temperatures are met. Accurately achieving the required temperature gives optimum product quality, while inaccuracy and deviations can mean lower quality or ruined product with a higher cost of production. If the configuration is too small, the valve has an


inadequate flow reserve, recommended to be a minimum of ten percent, and therefore cannot offer the required control reliability or flexibility. Ultimately, if the valve is too small, it might not be possible to provide the desired flow rate and achieve the required temperature change. Alternatively, if the valve size is too large,


the system can face challenges maintaining the set temperature. With an over-sized valve, during heating it is nearly fully open, but to stop increasing the temperature and maintain the level, it has to be nearly fully closed. This way, an over- sized valve is too large to achieve the required precision, and temperature fluctuations result with an oscillating effect as the valve repeatedly attempts to compensate.


choosIng valve type for steam control Where precision control of steam is required, a globe valve provides the greatest accuracy. While allowing a moderate flow of 13 m3


/h, a globe valve ensures


control accuracy to +/- 0.5 - 1.0 °C. In combination, Bürkert’s piston actuators provide positional accuracy to within 0.1 per cent, ensuring optimum control for steam and wider application types.


UKManufacturing Autumn 2021


required. For example, at a particular dairy, steam is used in cheese production. The condensate from the boiling process is used to heat a secondary water supply for a staff washroom. The required temperature is approximately 60°C, but a difference of several degrees either way is not significant. In a case like this, to save costs, a ball or butterfly


valve can be used. Offering accuracy of +/- 5°C, which may be sufficient for more general temperature control purposes, a ball or butterfly valve provides full flow of 48 m3


/h, which could be


advantageous, depending on needs. For hygienic applications however, where it is a


requirement for the media to be separated, a diaphragm valve should always be used. Bürkert provides stainless steel valves and actuators, robust and suitable for clean-in-place (CIP) applications. In addition to the valve, the positioner, which is in-


built on Bürkert valves, can also help reduce costs for steam control applications by taking load off the PLC. With a decentralised control concept, the Bürkert valve’s positioner receives the signal from the temperature transmitter and directly controls valve actuation. This way, the role of the PLC is reduced to monitoring purposes, meaning that for new applications a lower specification PLC can be used. For existing systems, the PLC’s spare processing capability can be used for additional tasks.


specIfIcatIon support Regardless of the valve, actuator or positioner used, to optimise efficiency and performance in steam temperature control, the application has to be specified correctly at the outset. For a food and beverage production facility, it is vital that your valve supplier provides this service. Combined with Bürkert’s range of valves and positioners, reducing application costs, as well as increasing accuracy and optimising hygiene to improve product quality, can be achieved.


Bürkert fluid control systems www.burkert.co.uk


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