Platform for the food and beverage industry
When food products, whether liquids or solids, are transported through a pipeline system, it is very important that their supply can be regulated at some point. Preferably, and this seems obvious, without damaging the product in question. According to Fluxer, the solution is up for grabs: food-safe, pneumatic hose valves from AKO.
"Hose valves are mounted in the pipe and consist of a housing on the one hand and a plastic hose on the other," said Frédéric Billiouw of Fluxer. "The German company AKO is a reference in this product group and has a vast range, both in terms of diameters and connections. For the food industry in particular, there is also a wide choice of materials. For example, the housing is available in four versions - plastic, aluminum with stainless steel contact flanges, 100% stainless steel, and 100% stainless steel with EHEDG certification - and there are also various food-safe hoses in the range."
It is not only the high-quality materials that ensure that hose valves can be used in a very hygienic and even aseptic manner. The basic principle of the valve also contributes to this. "The hose forms a smooth and smooth passage for the medium," Billiouw explains. "There are no nooks, edges or obstructions behind which material can get stuck - even with bulk, viscous media or media with pieces in it."
No corners, edges or obstructions, which, by the way, also means that the full passage of the pipe is maintained. "Most other valves, even when open, cause some constriction or blockage in the pipe. That is not the case here." Additionally, Fluxer can even provide proportional control of the valve. "In this way, we ensure that the operator can control the flow of product very easily and precisely. One moment 20%, the next moment 100%, for example. This can also be fully automated."
Essentially, there is a choice between mechanically and pneumatically controlled valves, but in the food industry, Billiouw sees a clear preference for the pneumatic variant. "Not only because a lot of food factories already have compressed air, but also because the system is gentler on the medium. Indeed, with a pneumatic system, the hose will form nicely around the medium and the integrity of the product is preserved. A mechanical hose valve, on the other hand, will more easily flatten and possibly damage the product. "
Like other components, the selection of the hose valve must be tailored very precisely to the circumstances. "Among other things, the application, the anticipated operating pressure, the frequency of opening and closing and any need for rapid venting must be taken into account for this. For this, if necessary, we are happy to provide support."
