The crucial but frequently invisible role of fluid control is at the core of innumerable industrial operations. The capacity to accurately and reliably control the flow of liquids and gases is crucial for everything from the accurate measurement of medicinal components to the strict regulation of cooling systems in power plants.
As the protectors of various fluid channels, valves are essential for preserving system integrity, guaranteeing operational effectiveness, and protecting against risks. One of the top producers in this field is Bürkert Fluid Control Systems, a brand associated with quality and innovation for over 70 years. Since its founding in 1946, Bürkert has built a reputation for engineering prowess by creating advanced fluid measurement, control, and regulation solutions for various sectors.
Their commitment to scientific advancement and customer-centric design has made them a dependable partner for businesses seeking dependable, high-performing fluid control components. Given how important valves are to these systems, choosing the right kind of valve is more than just a component specification; it’s a crucial choice that affects the operation’s overall performance, energy efficiency, and long-term safety.
A poorly selected valve may result in inefficiencies, early wear, system malfunctions, and even safety hazards. Therefore, engineers and system designers must have a solid awareness of the different types of valves that are available as well as their unique characteristics.
Bürkert’s extensive catalog encompasses key categories such as solenoid valves, known for their rapid response and versatile control; process valves, often utilizing pneumatic or electric actuators for robust operation in demanding environments; sanitary valves, engineered with hygienic designs for sensitive applications; and microfluidic valves, offering precise control at minute scales. By exploring these main types, this article will serve as a foundational guide to navigating the diverse world of Bürkert valves and understanding their critical role in modern industrial automation.
Solenoid Valves
A key component of fluid control technology, solenoid valves provide a dependable and frequently quick way to regulate the flow of gases and liquids. Their fundamental operating principle relies on electromagnetic actuation.
An electric current passed through a coil creates a magnetic field, exerting a force on a movable ferromagnetic core, known as the plunger or armature. This movement directly or indirectly manipulates the valve’s opening and closing mechanism, thereby controlling fluid passage. Bürkert offers a comprehensive range of solenoid valves, each engineered for specific performance characteristics and application requirements.
Direct-Acting Solenoid Valves
These valves use the solenoid’s direct force to open or close the valve orifice. They offer fast response and simple design, but are limited in pressure and flow capacity. They are used in applications like analytical instruments and medical devices.
Pilot-Operated (Servo-Assisted) Solenoid Valves
These valves use process fluid pressure, assisted by a small solenoid-controlled pilot valve, to open or close the main orifice. They handle higher pressures and flows but require a minimum pressure difference. They are common in industrial automation and water treatment.
Force-Piloted Solenoid Valves
These combine direct action for initial opening with pilot assistance, allowing operation even at zero pressure difference. While more complex, they are useful in applications like tank drainage and vacuum systems where consistent operation regardless of pressure is needed.
Process Valves (Actuated Valves)
Process valves utilize an external pneumatic, electric, or manual actuator to regulate fluid flow. This distinguishes them from solenoid valves, where the actuation is electromagnetic. The choice of actuator depends on factors like required force, speed, precision, and the availability of power sources. Bürkert offers diverse process valves with various actuation mechanisms and valve body designs to suit a wide spectrum of industrial applications.
Pneumatically Actuated Valves
Compressed air moves these actuators (single or double-acting), which are linked to valve bodies like globe, angle seat, ball, and butterfly types.
They offer high force and speed but need an air supply. Pneumatically actuated valves are commonly found in applications such as general automation, chemical processing, and food and beverage industries.
Electrically Actuated Valves
Electric motors (rotary or linear) position these valves (globe, ball, butterfly). They provide precise control and can be energy-efficient, but are slower than pneumatic options. Used in water treatment and HVAC.
Manually Actuated Valves
Hand levers or wheels operate these valves (ball, globe, diaphragm). They are simple and cost-effective for infrequent adjustments or where power is unavailable. Manually actuated valves are often used for isolation, basic flow regulation, and when power sources for other actuator types are unavailable or impractical.
Sanitary Valves
Sanitary valves are designed to meet the stringent hygiene demands of the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries. In these applications, preventing contamination and ensuring easy cleaning are paramount to product quality and consumer safety. Bürkert offers a range of sanitary valves engineered with these critical requirements in mind.
Sanitary Valve Design
These valves feature smooth interiors, minimal dead spaces, and materials like stainless steel to enable effective CIP/SIP cleaning and prevent bacterial growth.
Bürkert Sanitary Valve Types
- Diaphragm Valves: Aseptic sealing separates media from the actuator, minimizing dead legs and ensuring cleanability.
- Angle Seat Valves: Optimized for high flow and drainage, reducing contamination risks.
- Hygienic Ball Valves: Smooth bores and minimal entrapment for reliable on/off control in sanitary processes.
- Sanitary Butterfly Valves: Compact for larger hygienic pipelines, designed for cleanability and low product retention.
- Tank Bottom Valves: Ensure complete drainage from tanks, preventing product buildup.
Materials and Certifications
Typically made of stainless steel (e.g., 316L), Bürkert sanitary valves often hold certifications like EHEDG and 3-A, confirming hygienic design and cleanability.
Applications
Bürkert sanitary valves are essential components in a wide range of hygienic processes, including food and beverage production (e.g., dairy, brewing, soft drinks), pharmaceutical manufacturing (e.g., sterile media transfer, bioreactors), and biotechnology (e.g., fermentation, purification). Their design and material properties ensure the integrity and safety of the final product in these demanding applications.
Microfluidic Valves
Microfluidic valves are specialized components designed to precisely control extremely small volumes of fluids within microchannels, typically ranging from micrometers to millimeters in size. These valves are crucial for applications requiring high accuracy and miniaturization in fluid handling. Bürkert offers advanced microfluidic valve solutions tailored to these demanding needs.
Types of Bürkert Microfluidic Valves
Bürkert offers a specific series of microfluidic valves designed with these principles. These valves are characterized by compact design, low internal volume, and suitability for handling sensitive fluids. Bürkert also provides customized microfluidic solutions based on specific application needs, leveraging different actuation technologies.
Advantages
The use of microfluidic valves offers several key advantages:
- High Precision: They enable extremely accurate control over fluid flow rates and volumes, essential for sensitive analytical and diagnostic processes.
- Miniaturization: Their small size allows compact and integrated microfluidic systems to be developed.
- Low Sample and Reagent Consumption: The small channel volumes minimize the fluids required for analysis or reactions, reducing costs and waste.
- Fast Response Times: Many microfluidic valves, particularly those with piezoelectric actuation, offer rapid switching capabilities.
Typical Applications
Bürkert microfluidic valves are integral to a variety of advanced technologies, including:
- Lab-on-a-Chip (LOC) Devices: Integrating multiple laboratory functions onto a single microchip for rapid and automated analysis.
- Medical Diagnostics: Enabling precise sample handling and reagent delivery in point-of-care testing and diagnostic instruments.
- Drug Discovery and Screening: Facilitating high-throughput screening of drug candidates using minute quantities of substances.
- Analytical Chemistry: Providing precise control of sample and reagent flow in microscale analytical systems.
- Inkjet Printing: Controlling the ejection of tiny ink droplets with high precision.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Bürkert Valve
Selecting the optimal Bürkert valve requires careful consideration of several key factors to ensure reliable performance and longevity.
- Media Compatibility: The chemical properties of the fluid being controlled are paramount. Factors like corrosiveness, reactivity, temperature, and viscosity will dictate the appropriate valve body and sealing materials to prevent degradation and ensure safe operation.
- Pressure and Temperature Requirements: Understanding the operating pressure range and fluid temperature is crucial for selecting a valve with adequate pressure ratings and temperature resilience. Exceeding these limits can lead to valve failure and system damage.
- Flow Rate Requirements: The desired flow rate of the system will influence the necessary valve size and its flow coefficient (Cv value). An undersized valve can restrict flow, while an oversized valve may lead to control issues.
- Actuation Type: The choice between solenoid, pneumatic, electric, or manual actuation depends on factors like response speed, available power source, control requirements (on/off vs. proportional), and the overall system design.
In conclusion, Bürkert provides a wide range of valve technologies, including precise microfluidic valves for minute flow control, robust process valves with pneumatic, electric, or manual actuation, fast-acting solenoid valves, and carefully crafted sanitary valves for hygienic applications. Understanding the medium, pressure, temperature, and flow requirements in detail, along with the demands of the particular application and financial constraints, is essential to choosing the right valve type. Engineers and system designers may discover the best solutions for even the most demanding applications thanks to Bürkert’s wide variety and dedication to quality, which make it a recognized leader in fluid control systems.
