Lesson 12 - Control of Fluid Flow 3
This lesson will consider valve technology, which is used to control fluid flow. It will cover the control functions of on-off, and modulating flow control, together with a description of the various valve types which can achieve these functions. The lesson will conclude with thoughts on the issue of managing valve leakage to avoid cross-stream contamination.
Sampling Valve
The days of taking a sample from a tank by manually scooping out some of the contents are largely behind us (except for maybe taking a grab sample from a mash tun via the access hole). The use of general purpose valves, such as ball valves, connected to short sections of sample pipe through which a sample is taken has largely been superseded by custom sample valves.
Such valves can be operated manually or via an automated sampling system and can hygienically take a sample as the valve can be cleaned-in-place before and after sampling takes place. The figures below show such a valve in sampling and cleaning mode.
Figure: Sampling valve – sampling activated
Figure: Sampling valve – valve sanitising taking place