TPi September 2017

products & developments

Easy valve matrix solution Processes in hygienic industries, such as beverage, food, dairy, pharma and personal care, are becoming increasingly complex. Some of the challenges include higher volumes, increased efficiency, and reduction in water and energy use. It is necessary to optimise flow management without compromising flexibility, plant safety, product quality or hygiene.

manual connection of lines and handling of swing bends. Alfa Laval specialises in pre-built valve matrices customised to meet individual requirements. The company can help ensure efficient flow management using as few components as possible, and dealing effectively with key issues that include thermal cycling, cleanability, drainability and flow control. Alfa Laval valve matrices can be supplied pre-assembled and pre- tested, as well as fully wired and with all the necessary pneumatic tubing, junction boxes and control panels pre- connected. This allows even complex installations to be brought online as quickly as possible, saving time and avoiding lost revenue associated with on-site assembly, troubleshooting and downtime. Alfa Laval – Sweden alfa.laval@alfalaval.com www.alfalaval.com

A valve matrix – also known as a valve cluster – is an option for maximising process efficiency through optimised flow management. Each stage of the design and installation process is an important component to fully realising potential in the process by saving time and avoiding lost revenue associated with production downtime. Compared to traditional flow plates, a valve matrix is designed to allow simultaneous circulation of liquids – including CIP – on several levels with the exact number of lines and rows to match the specific requirements of the process. The matrix ensures the The Precision Fluidics division of motion and control technology firm Parker Hannifin has released its newest model of the miniature proportional valve VSO ® LowPro for OEMs looking for innovation in size, power and manufacturability when controlling the flow rate of inert gases. The new model utilises a smaller 0.76mm (0.03") orifice within the same small VSO LowPro footprint – 16mm wide and 14mm tall (0.63" x 0.55") – to create a combination of size and flow control between 0 and 30 SLPM. Typical applications for the new model of the VSO LowPro valve include pressure control, volumetric flow control and pulse dose control. With the release of this new model, Parker has expanded its pressure specifications for its new Model 3 and existing Model 4 and Model 5 valves up

An Alfa Laval valve matrix

flexibility to run multiple products to multiple destinations while other lines are being cleaned. Alfa Laval states that installing a valve matrix with its Mixproof valves provides product safety with good cleaning conditions and no risk of cross- contamination. It eliminates the chance for human error, which can occur using

New model for miniature proportional pneumatic valve series

Parker’s new VSO LowPro miniature proportional valve

The continued expansion of the VSO LowPro series provides engineers with configurations that include four orifice sizes ranging from 0.76 to 2.03mm (0.03" to 0.08"), three voltage levels (5, 12 and 24V), and manifold mount accessories to handle air, oxygen or any non-reactive, non-condensing gases, while complying with Reach, RoHS, CE, IP65 and ISO 15001 regulations. Parker Hannifin Ltd – UK ppfinfo@parker.com www.parker.com

to 100 psi (6.9 bar) with flows up to 57 SLPM, further increasing the range of capabilities within the platform. The VSO LowPro series focuses on reliability of operation and is qualified for up to 100 million cycles with a reliability factor of 0.96 and a confidence interval of 99 per cent. The VSO LowPro family also allows designers to reduce power or battery size due to an efficient typical power requirement of one watt.

43

www.read-tpi.com

September 2017 TUBE PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL