A large soft drinks manufacturer has selected Tyco Valves & Controls equipment for an extension to its factory. Vrumona, based in The Netherlands, is the soft drinks arm of the Heineken Group. For their newly built “syrup hall”, it specified 600 Hovap brand Varioflow mixproof valves and Basicflow single seated valves in 37 manifolds. Hovap single-seated Basicflow valves and double-seated Varioflow mixproof diverter valves are designed for use in applications where hygiene is important, for example food and beverage processes. Insensitive to pipeline pressures, the patented Varioflow valves are 100% mixproof, and ensure total protection from exterior contamination and bacteria build-up, as all valve wetted parts are contained inside the valve body. A key feature of the valves is their balanced design; to reduce sensitivity to stress, bodies are clamped rather than welded, and the encapsulated wetted areas are all made from food approved materials. This double-seated valve also features flushable O-rings to reduce the risk of product entrapment and contamination. Vrumona chose the Hovap valves for their patented, double-balanced, waterhammer proof one-piece body design and ability to eliminate product loss during switching. Hovap valves combine optimal flow control and high kV values, with simple in-line servicing and cleaning. The syrup hall project processes over 120 different syrup products on six production lines eventually combining them with water and carbon dioxide to make the finished drinks. The process involves the regular introduction of cleaning fluids to the line. The Hovap valves regulate switching between the two media, while ensuring that they never mix, and are able to process the syrup hall’s water consumption of approximately 150,000 litres per hour.
