David Schmelig (1); (1) David Alan Products, LLC, West Palm Beach, FL, U.S.A.

Brewhouse Operations
Supplier Poster

With the high volume of new brewers entering the brewing industry, cost control is key to sustainability in the market. Size does not matter, everyone wants to cut their costs. It may be a double-edged sword, but one way of cutting costs is to increase production through automation. Automation is typically an expensive option, so increasing production through automation, “at the lowest cost of entry,” is very attractive to all. With equal percentage flow being preferred in over 80% of all control applications, this level of control can now be achieved using a butterfly valve. Not only your goal of increasing production through automation can be met, but your total cost of ownership is also reduced due to less downtime for maintenance, reduction in weight/space requirements, and no additional spare parts being required. This technology is relatively new to the industry and is gaining momentum for large and small brewers alike. In addition to offering full control, the valve disc is sanitary and self-cleaning due to turbulent eddies. The unique disc design allows for extended liner life due to the valve not being torque seated like a standard butterfly disc, which in turn also reduces the size of the actuator needed for control. In regard to Cv, this new technology offers what is called linear “inherent flow characteristic,” that in the past could only be offered using a globe-style valve. This, in turn, assures a constant “gain” of the control loop and, thereby, eliminates repeated controller tuning. Conventional butterfly valves are subject to severe reversing dynamic torque, effecting the stability of the operating system. This is caused by suction effects of the fluid passing over that half of the vane pointing downstream (much like an aircraft wing). Such torque peaks typically at 70 degrees, after which the torque reverses suddenly. When using this new control vane technology, this effect is eliminated by having a rim intersecting and stopping a jet from producing suction. Thus, it can open all the way to 90 degrees with a low and stable operating torque, thereby avoiding actuator instability. With near 90 degrees opening at rated travel, this technology offers a Cv of flow capacity that exceeds that of equally sized globe valves by up to two and a half times.

David Alan Schmelig is a 30-year veteran of the brewing industry. He received his MBA from Lindenwood University in St. Charles, MO, while working in capital procurement for Anheuser-Busch Co., Inc. As part of a 10-person team that was responsible for an average annual spending of $350 million, David has vast knowledge of brewing equipment and negotiation. After his 21-year career as a procurement professional at Anheuser-Busch, he accepted a position as director of procurement for an Illinois-based engineering firm working on a $1 billion grass-roots rare earths facility located at a mine site just outside of Las Vegas, NV, in the Mojave Desert. Upon completion of that project, David returned to the supply side of the brewing industry, starting his own product development and consulting company, David Alan Products, LLC. In addition to running his own company, David is a long-time member of the MBAA and recent member of the Brewers Association. David currently resides in West Palm Beach, FL, with his dog Red. Also residing in West Palm Beach is David’s daughter Blair and her fiancé Brantley McKnight. David enjoys outdoor activities with a focus on equestrian sports.