It is common for food, beverage, dairy, milk, and alternative food plants to find themselves needing to upgrade equipment. While this is often paired with an expansion or change in parameters of the production facility, it can also be to modernize systems through replacing old designs with newer alternatives that provide additional benefits.
Once such case is transfer panels vs. mix-proof valve clusters which both serve to provide prevent the mixing of chemicals and products. One of the biggest differences is that transfer panels must be manually adjusted where the mix-proof valve clusters are automated and provide additional information about the process and status of the system through computers and controls. By replacing a transfer panel with mix-proof valve clusters a plant manager can reduce the chance of error, injuries, while simultaneously increasing performance and efficiency of the production line.
Both systems have pros and cons, and we always recommend an audit to make an informed decision for your specific facility. Below you will find a quick overview of the pros and cons of each.
Transfer Panel Pros
- Relatively low cost
- Operator can see flow path
- Jumper position can be monitored with proximity switches
- Low maintenance
Transfer Panel Cons
- Manual change over
- Possible material loss
- Operator exposure to pressure, heat, and chemicals
Mix-Proof Valve Cluster Pros
- Rapid change-over
- Fully automated
- No operator exposure
- Pre-programmed configurations
- Valves can be located away from operator areas
Mix-Proof Valve Cluster Cons
- Relatively high implementation cost
- Complex system makes maintenance more challenging
Whatever system you choose to have in your plant we recommend an audit an consultation to decide what’s best for your unique situation. If you’d like more information about these two systems contact us today or read the full case study here.
