Tradition benefitting from technology
CONTROL & AUTOMATION CONTROLLING THE PROCESS
BURKERT
Tradition benefitting from technology
Modern breweries employ advanced process control systems to manage every stage of beer production
The food and beverage industry is continually evolving , driven by the need for enhanced efficiency , quality , and safety . Central to these advancements is fluid process control , a crucial component in manufacturing processes such as mixing , fermentation , and pasteurisation . Recent innovations in this area have focused on precision , automation , and sustainability , significantly improving production practices .
Kieran Bennett , Industry Account Manager , Food & Beverage , for Bürkert , looks at the recent innovations in process control and the benefits they bring to the industry .
The brewery industry exemplifies the positive impact of recent developments in fluid process control . Modern breweries employ advanced process control systems to manage every stage of beer production , from mash preparation to fermentation and packaging . Automated systems monitor and adjust the flow of ingredients , ensuring consistency in flavour and quality . Precision sensors control the fermentation temperature and pressure , crucial for producing different types of beer .
Process accuracy
As one of the simplest and most common examples , it only takes a deviation of a couple of degrees during mashing or fermentation to have a noticeable impact on the flavour of the beer , which affects product quality . Process automation has numerous benefits , especially in terms of repeatability and accuracy . Modern process control valves can deliver this as well as achieving a long service life in a hygienic environment that is exposed to regular washdowns and humidity .
Aside from a clean and polished aesthetic , process valves can offer highly visible cues using multicoloured LEDs to indicate proper operation or process faults , enabling any issues to be resolved quickly with minimal interruptions to production . This status indication is supported by more advanced ,
36 PECM Issue 71