A valve assembly for controlling the filling of a fluid containing vessel is provided having a valve body having a fluid inlet regulated by a valve member movable between an open and closed position within the valve body. The scraper tip is outwardly tapered. A steel sheet, which is a steel backing metal, can be heated by an electric resistance heater andor a high frequency induction heater, and the copper alloy powder can be heated directly by microwaves. The main conveyor moves in a direction that is parallel to the direction of movement of the exit conveyors. In one embodiment, the method comprises processing at least one data block that is inconsistent with a backup image; and updating the backup image with the at least one inconsistent data block from a snapshot image, wherein the snapshot image is created after a backup process, wherein the updated backup image is point in time consistent.