Bürkert modulating control valves help UK brewery secure productivity
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Bürkert modulating control valves help UK brewery secure productivity
Whether bitter , ale , lager or craft – the incredible choice of beers makes competition between brewers fierce . To gain share in a saturated market and meet consumer demand , breweries need production equipment such as control valves to operate with the utmost reliability . Consequently , when a UK brewery noticed its mechanical interface modulating control valves were becoming very maintenance intensive , it approached Bürkert for a better solution .
Brewing is a complex process encompassing hop and grain selection , mashing , boiling , heating , cooling , fermentation and bottling – and valves play a crucial role in delivering the perfect bottle , can or pint .
Brewing control problems
At a brewery in the UK , an array of modulating control valves was responsible for regulating various processes such as glycol supply to the chillers , steam control to the heat exchangers , as well as CO2 and O2 supply for fermentation and storage . As required in the food and beverage industry , equipment was subjected to regular chemical washdowns . Furthermore , the need to meet supply agreements placed high operational demands on the whole process , including the valves .
Traditional modulating control valves rely on a mechanical interface , with the valve ’ s position controlled via a series of levers or pivots . This has limitations . First , mechanical wear on components can compromise valve accuracy over time ,
affecting processes and overall product quality . Chemicals from repeated washdowns can also clog the mechanisms , reducing valve performance .
Bürkert ’ s ELEMENT range is specifically designed for hygienic applications such as breweries .
30 PECM Issue 70