/ins. Processes in hygienic industries - such as beverage, food, dairy, pharma and personal care - are becoming increasingly complex. Some of the challenges include higher volumes, increased efficiency, reduction in water and energy use. That is why it is essential to optimize flow management without compromising flexibility, plant safety, product quality or hygiene.

A valve matrix - also known as valve cluster - is a great option for maximizing process efficiency through optimized flow management. Each stage of the design and installation process is an important component to fully realizing potential in your process by saving time and avoiding lost revenue associated with production downtime.

Compared to traditional flow plates, a valve matrix is designed to allow simultaneous circulation of liquids - including CIP - on several levels with the exact number of lines and rows to match the specific requirements of your process. The matrix ensures the flexibility for you to run multiple products to multiple destinations, while other lines are being cleaned.

Installing a valve matrix with Alfa Laval Unique Mixproof Valves brings you outstanding product safety with good cleaning conditions and no risk of cross-contamination. It rules out the opportunity of human errors, which can occur using manual connection of lines and handling of swing bends.

Pre-built matrices customized to meet your specific requirements

In Alfa Laval, we are specialists in providing pre-built valve matrices customized to meet specific, individual requirements. Our expertise helps ensure you the most efficient flow management, using as few components as possible and dealing effectively with key issues that include thermal cycling, cleanability, drainability and flow control.

Alfa Laval valve matrices can be supplied pre-assembled and pre-tested as well as fully wired and with all the necessary pneumatic tubing, junction boxes and control panels pre-connected. This means you can bring even complex installations online as quickly as possible, saving time and avoiding lost revenue associated with on-site assembly, troubleshooting and downtime.

Advice on optimal solution address product type, process flexibility, utility consumption, plant constraints, thermal expansion and many more considerations.

About Alfa Laval

Alfa Laval is a leading global provider of specialized products and engineering solutions based on its key technologies of heat transfer, separation and fluid handling.

The company’s equipment, systems and services are dedicated to assisting customers in optimizing the performance of their processes. The solutions help them to heat, cool, separate and transport products in industries that produce food and beverages, chemicals and petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, starch, sugar and ethanol.

Alfa Laval’s products are also used in power plants, aboard ships, oil and gas exploration, in the mechanical engineering industry, in the mining industry and for wastewater treatment, as well as for comfort climate and refrigeration applications.

Alfa Laval’s worldwide organization works closely with customers in nearly 100 countries to help them stay ahead in the global arena.

Alfa Laval is listed on Nasdaq OMX, and, in 2016, posted annual sales of about SEK 35.6 billion approx. 3.72 billion Euros. The company has about 17 300 employees.

www.alfalaval.com