VALVE MAGAZINE Summer 2023

(pressure reducing valve or PRV) and a tank de-padding regulator (back pressure regulating valve or BPRV) can work together to keep an N 2 blanket in the cultivator tank. Here, a sanitary tank blanketing regulator (a low-pressure PRV) is used to add nitrogen gas to the cultivator growth tank at the start of the growth process or as pressure decreases during growth. As pressure conditions change during growth, the BPRV opens to relieve excess pressure and the PRV opens to add N 2 to increase the pressure. These valves work in tandem to keep the N 2 padding (blanketing) at the desired setpoint. The PRV and BPRV of choice for this process should be able to maintain very low pressure. LOOKING AHEAD The cultivated meat industry is an exciting new development and needs more optimization before becoming a viable alter native to traditional farmed meat. The examples here illus trate just a few ways that proper valve selection can contrib ute toward the industry’s success. Working together, leaders in the industry can tackle the challenges ahead. VM

Schematic of bioreactor/cultivator tank with precision low pressure tank padding regulator and de-padding regulator working together to maintain an inert nitrogen blanket. Photo Credit: Steriflow Food & Beverage

D iane J acober , MSME, is a technical marketing manager for Equilibar, and content creator for Richards Indus trials, Equilibar’s parent company. She has worked as a process engineer, project engineer and technical marketing specialist for several companies in a variety of fields.

setup can be used in cultivated meat growth tanks so the growth environment is carefully controlled to ensure the meat will grow healthy muscle and fat cells. Precise and responsive tank blanket valves can reduce cost by ensuring an optimum N 2 pressure. The example above shows how a tank padding regulator

MSS 2023 SCHOLARSHIP AWARDEES MSS congratulates the 2023 recipients of the MSS McClinton/Hannifin Scholarship Awards!

Manufacturers Standardization Society OF THE VALVE AND FITTINGS INDUSTRY

Blake LeBlanc Prairieville, LA

Abby Scott Pace, FL

Southeastern Louisiana University Mechanical Engineering Technology Southern Valve Service Inc.

Florida State University Biomedical Engineering American Flow Control

SUMMER 2023 VALVE MAGAZINE

Joseph Sawitsky Hopkinton, NH University of Maine Mechanical Engineering Technology A.W. Chesterton

Austin Nelsen Ames, IA Iowa State University Mechanical Engineering Rexa, Inc.

For more information on MSS scholarships, membership, or standards, please contact: membership@msshq.org or 703-281-6613 .

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