Valves for Brewery Producing Fine Ales

A brewery producing fine ales are using AKO Pinch Valves in their hygienic system. The brewery have been using AKO Pinch Valves for 10 years so far, after switching from an alternative pinch valve manufacturer because the previous brand was not so reliable.

The brewery started off using the PVC bodied Pinch Valve product code VM032-02X-50-80. These valves were then replaced with the newer improved VMC type Pinch Valve in complete stainless steel, product code VMC32-02X-50G-50. This stainless steel version have currently been installed for 5 years without needing to be replaced.

Product: Casked beer ready to drink out of the cask/keg.

Temperature: Ambient

Pressure: 0.5 – 0.7 BAR

Position of where valves are installed: Vertical

The Pinch Valves are normally closed during working hours. The plant is cleaned at the end of every shift, and the pinch valves are left open overnight.

Amount of Cycles per day: Up to 2000 a day maximum. Working hours are 7am – 3am.

There is no degree of vacuum being used.

Amount of air being used to close the Pinch Valve: Between 0.5 and 1.5 BAR is supplied to the pinch valve, which is used to control the flow of the beer. There is a full flow, then slow fill, finishing with a dribble flow to top up the casks.

Pinch Valves used within this application: VMC32.02X.50G.50 / VM032.02X.50.80

VMC model: air operated, stainless steel body, stainless steel BSP threaded ends, white food quality rubber sleeve.

VM model: air operated, PVC body, stainless steel BSP threaded ends, white food quality rubber sleeve.

This brewery decided to use Pinch Valves within their ale brewing/bottling application because of the ease to control the flow of product. The Pinch Valves for brewery are perfect for full and slow filling.

The current AKO Pinch Valves for brewery in situ have never had their rubber sleeves replaced in the last 10 years. This shows that the valves are working extremely well within the application. We would say that the low working pressure and low control pressures used are a contributing factor to the long lifetime of the sleeves.

Pinch Valve accessories such as solenoids, switches and regulators are used on this plant.