New valves can increase pneumatic system safety ratings to SIL1 and SIL2

09 December, 2016

The second addition to the Bürkert range is the redundancy block Type MKRS, which can be installed in more demanding applications that require a higher level of safety. The introduction of a redundancy valve block will enable PLc or SIL2 to be achieved, which can apply to many applications in the hygienic sector where clean-in-place (CIP) procedures are used.

For example, in processes where an inspection hatch can be opened for maintenance, it is essential that the process must be stopped if a cover is removed at an inappropriate time. Under normal circumstances the safety valve on the pneumatic valve island will stop the process, but in situations where there is an increased risk the redundancy block is positioned so that if the safety valve does not operate, then the process will be stopped by the Type MKRS valve.

Equally of use to process engineers designing new systems, this is a very compact solution that can also easily be integrated into an existing control system without affecting the process control programming. For designers and OEMs these new innovations from Bürkert offer excellent reliability and minimal impact on current designs while delivering increased safety levels without increasing the footprint of the control structure.

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