According to a report published by Markets and Markets, the global industrial valves market size is estimated to be worth $ 80.4 Billion by 2023 and projected to reach a net value of $ 99.8 Billion by the end of 2028. We have seen rapid growth in the speciality valves market as well such as temperature control valves for specific industrial purposes.
Temperature control using steam is standard in multiple applications across the pharmaceutical, food and beverage industry.However, this task must be completed using a control valve, which needs to be sized correctly in advance to ensure efficient manufacturing costs.
In addition, the type of control valve is also a critical factor to achieve efficient steam temperature control. There are many temperature control methodsbut steam is used by many manufacturers because it is an effective way oftransferring heat energy.
Burkert India, a part of Burkert Fluid Control Systems based in Germany, hasexecuted all the technological specifications in its valves that are being widely used in various industries.“In the pharmaceutical industry, steam is being used for utilities to transfer heat to fermentation both as an example and also as clean utilities, referred to Steam-In-Place, which is used to sterilize the vessels and piping network. In either case, it would be combined with a temperature sensor and controller resulting in the control valve
being fundamental to a steam system to regulate the flow”, mentions Sadiq Khan, General Manager, Burkert India.
Sizing Control Valves Correctly for Cost Savings
Often large control valves are selected which match up to the pipe size and sizing the valves correctly is the first place cost savings can be expected. As the size of the valve increases so does the cost but oversizing also has an impact on operating expenses which will increase due to more air consumption. For steam control, normally a smaller diameter line size is required when compared to the piping network size, to deliver the required flow rate.
Accuracy and Performance Improvement
Not sizing the valve correctly for steam control can also impact the accuracy and performance. For applications such as UHT (Ultra High Temperature) pasteurization during milk production, accurate control is essential to ensure the product is not burnt and actually exposed to the required 135°C for a few seconds. 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.
With burkert’s range of valves and positioners, reduced operational costs, as well as increased accuracy combined with improved sterility can be achieved
Having the control valve oversized can result in challenges to maintain the set temperature. “During the start of the process, the valve will be fully open but to stop increasing the temperature and maintain the setpoint, it would need to be nearly fully closed. This way, an oversized valve is too large to achieve the required precision, and temperature fluctuations result with an oscillating effect. Eventually, if the valve is too small, it may not be possible to provide the desired flow rate and achieve the required temperature change,” states Sadiq.
Valve Type for Steam Control
Burkert’s control valve offers the greatest accuracy for steam control and a temperature control accuracy of +/- 0.5 – 1.0°C can be expected for sized DN6 to DN100. Its piston actuators provide positional accuracy to within 0.1 percent ensuring optimum control for steam and other media.
The Burkert positioners are available with an option of allowing the possibility of connecting the raw output or conventional 4-20mA directly to the device as a closed loop controller thus eliminating the need for a PLC. “With Burkert’s range of valves and positioners, reduced operational costs, as well as increased accuracy combined with improved sterility can be achieved”, concludes Sadiq.
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