Sue Davis (asker) Dec 16, 2022:

Hi Bourth - unfortunately the diagram is very minimal, this term appears beside a box labelled "fines" and is shown as a rectangle projecting from a circle. The circle bears a series of I think identical labels but their wording is illegible.

philgoddard Dec 15, 2022:

Yes, they're examples, not synonyms.

Mpoma Dec 15, 2022:

closure member? sealing device? TLFi: "Système ou appareil destiné à assurer la fermeture étanche d'un récipient ou à interrompre la circulation d'un liquide ou d'un gaz dans un conduit. Synon. clapet, soupape, vanne." I'm not sure I agree entirely with those synonyms.

I mention that definition because you say whey is involved, i.e. a liquid (until it is tranformed into powder).

Generic terms, but that may be OK given the (lack of) context.

Bourth Dec 15, 2022:

"It is shown" What does it look like? The spray nozzles, of which there are presumably many, might have a 'pointeau obturateur' (shutoff needle). Just to confuse things further ;-)