Product category:
Process and OEM Valves
News Release from: Crane Process Flow Technologies | Subject: Customer solutions guide
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 10 April 2006
Guide explains valve design alternatives
A novel customer solutions guide provides essential input when choosing the most appropriate diaphragm valve design in pharmaceutical process applications.
Crane Process Flow Technologies has published a customer solutions guide that provides essential input when choosing the most appropriate diaphragm valve design in pharmaceutical process applications A typical solution supplied to the pharmaceutical processing environment is the "steam cross" diaphragm valve
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 27 Apr 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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The HC4 is the latest development in the industry leading range of standard and custom diaphragm valves and accessories from Crane Process Flow Technologies.
Diaphragm valve switchbox sets itself
Designed to provide users with a simple to install, easy to monitor and reliable unit, the Saunders HC4 Opti-Set switchbox automatically sets against the stroke of the actuator.
This provides a sterile barrier between two critical points in the process system - whether process, utility or other - and is achieved by virtue of two offset mainline valves and a cleanable connecting chamber.
To maximise client efficiency Saunders HC4 offers up to three alternative routes to processing diaphragm valve design and the guide outlines the choices available.
Advances in block machining and design technology mean it is now possible to supply the user with alternative solutions, providing definitive process advantages.
Further reading
Software speeds access to custom bio-block valves
Crane Process Flow Technologies has developed software that allows biopharmaceutical processors to specify custom bio-block valves without the usual time-consuming exchange of 2D drawings.
Tool calculates wetted surface area
Tool visibly demonstrates the importance of using fully traceable diaphragm material on hygienic applications.
Different design variations carry various implications for the user in terms of cost, deadleg area, space envelope and overall process suitability.
This variety can lead to the belief that competing designs offer the same level of process solution.
The solutions guide provides details of the implications of using the alternative valve designs and their optimum uses.
The first option, "four valve" fabrication, would provide the lowest price solution but has some important disadvantages.
The number of individual components and welds is at its highest.
The space envelope, often a concern for the system designer, is significantly larger with the internal wetted area (and deadleg) typically 30-35% larger than a comparative "block" machined solution.
The second option would be mainline valves machined "back to back" from block, with purge valves fabricated.
This is a superior solution in terms of reduced deadleg between mainline valves, smaller space envelope, reduced number of welds and level of documentation.
Because of the need to fabricate the purge and condensate valves top and bottom there is still an area of deadleg, which may prove difficult to clean.
The third and "top-level" option would be to have all four weirs machined integrally from the same block.
The reduction in the number of welds optimises installation and validation.
Deadleg is reduced to an absolute minimum, enhancing cleanability and optimising process security for critical applications.
Space envelope is reduced to the minimum level possible to provide the designer with increased flexibility.
The guide explains the implications of choosing the correct solution in relation to the product design and ensures that comparisons across supply options are made on a like for like basis.
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