Question 1

What is GEA Hydract® Actuation Technology?

Accepted Answer

GEA Hydract® Actuation Technology is a water-hydraulic valve actuation system integrated into the VARIVENT® modular valve portfolio. Instead of using compressed air to operate process valves, Hydract® uses water as the actuation medium. The technology combines high-precision valve control, process stability, energy efficiency, and advanced digital capabilities while maintaining the same engineering, automation, and service interfaces used across the VARIVENT® platform. Hydraulic and pneumatic valves can operate side by side within the same installation, giving manufacturers greater flexibility when selecting the most suitable actuation technology for a specific application.

GEA Hydract® combines sustainability, precision, and digitalization within the proven VARIVENT® valve platform.

Question 2

How much energy does hydraulic actuation save compared to pneumatic valves?

Accepted Answer

Hydraulic actuation eliminates the need for energy-intensive compressed-air systems to operate process valves. By replacing compressed air with water-hydraulic actuation, manufacturers can reduce electrical energy consumption for valve actuation by more than 95%, depending on the installation and operating conditions. This reduction contributes directly to lower operating costs and improved resource efficiency. In facilities with a large number of process valves, the cumulative impact can be significant over the lifetime of the plant.

Hydraulic valve actuation can reduce electrical energy consumption for valve operation by more than 95%.

Question 3

What are the sustainability benefits of hydraulic valve actuation?

Accepted Answer

Hydraulic valve actuation supports more sustainable production by reducing energy consumption, decreasing reliance on compressed-air systems, and lowering associated CO₂ emissions. Because compressed-air generation is typically one of the most energy-intensive utility processes in manufacturing plants, reducing this requirement can significantly improve overall plant efficiency. Hydraulic actuation also supports resource-efficient production by improving process stability and helping manufacturers meet corporate sustainability objectives.

Hydraulic valve actuation helps reduce energy use, lower CO₂ emissions, and support long-term sustainability goals.

Question 4

How much can hydraulic valve actuation reduce CO₂ emissions?

Accepted Answer

The exact reduction depends on the energy mix, plant design, and operating profile. However, because hydraulic actuation can reduce electrical energy consumption for valve operation by more than 90%, it can also significantly reduce the carbon footprint linked to valve actuation. For manufacturers pursuing decarbonization strategies, hydraulic actuation offers a practical opportunity to lower operational emissions without compromising process performance.

Lower energy consumption translates directly into a lower CO₂ footprint for valve actuation.

Question 5

Why is hydraulic valve positioning more accurate than pneumatic control?

Accepted Answer

Water is incompressible, while compressed air is compressible. This fundamental difference enables hydraulic systems to maintain exact valve positions regardless of pressure fluctuations in the process line. Pneumatic systems can experience position deviations, drift, or valve flutter under changing conditions, whereas hydraulic actuation keeps the valve securely locked in its programmed position. GEA Hydract® achieves positioning accuracy of ±0.03 mm, providing highly repeatable process control.

Hydraulic actuation delivers stable, repeatable valve positioning with accuracy of up to ±0.03 mm.

Question 6

How precise is hydraulic valve positioning?

Accepted Answer

GEA Hydract® valves achieve digital positioning accuracy of ±0.03 mm. Because the hydraulic fluid is incompressible, the actuator maintains the target position without deviation caused by changing process pressures or system fluctuations. This high level of precision is particularly valuable in blending, dosing, standardization, and other applications requiring consistent product quality.

Hydract® provides exceptional positioning precision for highly controlled hygienic processing applications.

Question 7

How does Hydract® improve process stability and product quality?

Accepted Answer

Hydraulic locking prevents unintended valve movement and eliminates valve flutter. As a result, process parameters remain stable even under fluctuating operating conditions. This improves repeatability, supports consistent product quality, and reduces process variability. In demanding applications such as inline blending, ingredient dosing, and standardization, this level of control enables manufacturers to achieve highly predictable production results.

Stable valve positioning creates more stable processes and more consistent products.

Question 8

Is hydraulic actuation safe for hygienic processing?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Hydraulic locking ensures that valves remain securely in their intended position, even under high process pressure differentials. This helps prevent unintended mixing of product streams and supports process safety in hygienic food, beverage, dairy, and pharmaceutical applications. The technology is fully integrated into the hygienic VARIVENT® valve portfolio.

Hydraulic locking improves process security and helps prevent unintended product mixing.

Question 9

What is the difference between water-hydraulic and pneumatic valve actuation?

Accepted Answer

Pneumatic systems use compressed air as the actuation medium, while water-hydraulic systems use pressurized water. Because water is incompressible, hydraulic actuation provides greater positioning accuracy, improved process stability, and reduced sensitivity to pressure fluctuations. Pneumatic actuation remains the preferred solution for many standard applications, while hydraulic actuation offers additional benefits for processes where precision, energy efficiency, and digital control are critical.

Hydraulic actuation offers higher precision and energy efficiency, while pneumatic actuation remains the industry standard for many applications.

Question 10

Is hydraulic actuation a replacement for pneumatic valves?

Accepted Answer

No. GEA Hydract® is designed as a complementary actuation technology rather than a replacement for pneumatic systems. Pneumatic valves remain the industry standard across many hygienic processing applications. Hydract® provides an additional option for manufacturers seeking greater precision, process stability, sustainability, or advanced digital integration.

Hydract® complements pneumatic technology and expands customer choice without changing suppliers or systems.

Question 11

Where is hydraulic valve actuation used?

Accepted Answer

Hydraulic valve actuation is used in brewing, beverage production, dairy processing, food manufacturing, and selected pharmaceutical applications. It is particularly valuable in processes requiring precise flow regulation, stable dosing, standardization, and inline blending. The technology is best suited for operations where precision, energy efficiency, and process consistency are critical performance requirements.

Hydract® is ideal for high-precision hygienic processing applications across food, beverage, dairy, and pharma industries.

Question 12

What is the ROI of hydraulic valve technology?

Accepted Answer

While hydraulic valves typically require a higher initial investment than pneumatic alternatives, the total cost of ownership can be significantly lower.

Benefits include:

Lower energy consumption
Reduced compressor demand
Reduced cleaning costs
Increased process stability
Less production variability
Predictive maintenance capabilities

For many applications, return on investment can be achieved within approximately 5–6 years depending on operating conditions and plant configuration.

Higher initial investment can be offset through long-term energy and operational savings.

Question 13

Can hydraulic valves be digitally monitored and controlled?

Accepted Answer

Yes. GEA Hydract® valves are fully programmable and provide real-time position feedback through fieldbus systems, WiFi, and Bluetooth connectivity. Intelligent diagnostics and digital seal monitoring support predictive maintenance strategies and provide greater transparency into plant operations.

Hydract® combines precise valve control with advanced digital monitoring and predictive maintenance capabilities.

Question 14

Does hydraulic actuation require new infrastructure or a different supplier?

Accepted Answer

No. Hydract® is fully integrated into the VARIVENT® modular valve system. Customers continue to use the same engineering approach, automation interfaces, service organization, and supplier relationship. Hydraulic actuation simply becomes an additional technology option within the existing portfolio.

Hydract® integrates seamlessly into existing VARIVENT® environments without changing suppliers or workflows.

Question 15

Is there a proven, large-scale installation of hydraulic valve actuation?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Carlsberg's brewery in Fredericia, Denmark, has operated more than 700 GEA Hydract® valves in production since 2016. The installation demonstrates the technology's ability to support continuous industrial operation while delivering energy savings, process stability, and innovative production concepts such as inline blending.

Hydract® has been proven in large-scale industrial production for nearly a decade.

Question 16

Why are breweries increasingly interested in hydraulic valve actuation?

Accepted Answer

Breweries are under pressure to improve sustainability, reduce operating costs, and increase production flexibility. Hydraulic valve actuation addresses all three objectives. The technology enables highly accurate inline blending, supports high-gravity brewing concepts, reduces energy consumption, and can help simplify plant layouts by reducing the need for intermediate blending tanks.

Hydraulic valve actuation enables more sustainable, flexible, and efficient brewery operations.

Question 17

How does hydraulic valve technology support ESG and sustainability targets?

Accepted Answer

Hydraulic valve technology contributes to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) objectives by improving energy efficiency, reducing operational emissions, supporting resource-efficient production, and enhancing process transparency through digital monitoring. Reduced energy consumption directly supports environmental targets, while improved process control can lower waste and improve resource utilization. In addition, reduced compressed-air leaks and a quieter working environment can contribute positively to workplace conditions.