In our daily lives, food and drug safety are of paramount importance. From the milk and juice we drink every day to the various medicines used for treating illnesses, their production processes are subject to strict hygiene standards. Sanitary ball valves are one of the key pieces of equipment that ensure these production processes meet hygiene requirements. Today, let's delve into the mysteries of sanitary ball valves and see how they play a crucial role in various industries.
The widespread application of sanitary ball valves in the food and pharmaceutical industries is rooted in their strict adherence to high hygiene standards and technical assurance. These industries have nearly stringent requirements for product hygiene and safety, and even the slightest hygiene hazard can lead to severe consequences. Therefore, sanitary ball valves must meet extremely high standards in design, production, material selection, and quality inspection.
Firstly, the production process of sanitary ball valves must be based on technology. Advanced production techniques and a rigorous quality control system are the foundation for ensuring product quality. During the production process, each step requires precise calculations and strict inspections to ensure that the valve's performance indicators meet the requirements. From the procurement of raw materials to the release of finished products, every step must undergo strict quality inspection to ensure that each valve meets high hygiene standards.
Secondly, the design philosophy of sanitary ball valves focuses primarily on practicality. Their design is not only to meet basic functional needs but also to better meet the strict hygiene and safety requirements of the food and pharmaceutical industries in practical applications. For example, the inner surface of sanitary ball valves is treated with high-precision polishing, with a surface finish typically reaching Ra≤0.8μm (or even Ra≤0.4μm). This high level of smoothness effectively reduces medium residue and bacterial growth, thereby ensuring product hygiene and safety.
Moreover, the material selection for sanitary ball valves is also very critical. They usually use 316L stainless steel (low carbon, resistant to intergranular corrosion) as the main material, and in some cases, 904L or titanium alloy is used. These materials are resistant to acids and alkalis and have anti-oxidation properties, making them suitable for high-purity media (such as injection water, acid and alkali solutions), and they can ensure that the valves maintain good performance and hygiene standards under various complex working conditions.
Compared with ordinary ball valves, sanitary ball valves have many significant advantages in pipeline systems, which enable them to better meet the strict hygiene and safety requirements of the food and pharmaceutical industries.
The high cleanliness and sterility of sanitary ball valves are among their most important features. In addition to the high surface finish mentioned earlier, sanitary ball valves also adopt a no-dead-corner design. They use full-bore structure and arc transition to prevent medium retention and ensure thorough sterilization during cleaning (CIP/SIP). This design effectively prevents the growth of bacteria and microorganisms, ensuring the hygiene and safety of the pipeline system.
Moreover, the sealing materials of sanitary ball valves are carefully selected. The valve seats are often made of food-grade PTFE, EPDM, or silicone, which are non-toxic, corrosion-resistant, and meet FDA certification requirements. Such sealing materials not only ensure the valve's sealing performance but also prevent medium contamination, further enhancing product hygiene and safety.
The sealing performance of sanitary ball valves is highly reliable, capable of achieving zero leakage. They typically use a floating ball structure or a combination of metal and soft seals, ensuring zero leakage even under high pressure differences (in compliance with ISO 5208 Class A standards). This reliable sealing performance effectively prevents medium leakage and external contamination, ensuring the safety and hygiene of the production process.
In addition, sanitary ball valves also feature anti-contamination design. The valve stem uses bellows sealing or sterile packing gland, which effectively prevents medium leakage and external contamination, further improving the valve's sealing performance and hygiene safety.
Sanitary ball valves are characterized by precise and efficient fluid control. Their full-bore design allows the fluid to flow close to the pipeline itself, reducing pressure loss and making them suitable for high-velocity media (such as juice, dairy products). This design not only improves fluid conveyance efficiency but also effectively reduces pressure loss in the pipeline system and lowers energy consumption.
Moreover, the quick-opening and closing function of sanitary ball valves is also very practical. They only require a 90° rotation to fully open/close, with a fast response time, making them suitable for automated control (such as pneumatic/electric actuator drive). This quick-opening and closing function can effectively improve production efficiency and reduce waiting time in the production process.
Sanitary ball valves have passed numerous international certifications, such as FDA 21 CFR, EC 1935/2004 (food contact materials), and 3-A Sanitary Standards, ensuring their safety and compliance. In addition, sanitary ball valves are also suitable for key process segments such as sterile filling, bioprocessing, and purified water systems, meeting the strict hygiene and safety requirements of the food and pharmaceutical industries.
The wide application fields of sanitary ball valves reflect their significant value. In food and beverage production lines, sanitary ball valves are used to control the intake and output of raw materials and the conveyance of products. Due to their high hygiene standards and good sealing performance, they are very suitable for handling food media and preventing contamination. For example, in the milk production process, sanitary ball valves can ensure that milk is not contaminated during conveyance, guaranteeing the quality and safety of the product.
In the pharmaceutical industry, sanitary ball valves play an important role in purified water systems and wastewater treatment systems. They can quickly control the flow rate of the medium, and their corrosion-resistant properties also meet the special material requirements of the pharmaceutical industry for valves. For example, in the drug production process, sanitary ball valves can be used to control the conveyance of drug raw materials and the supply of purified water, ensuring the hygiene and safety of drug production.
In addition to the food and pharmaceutical industries, sanitary ball valves are also widely used in agricultural machinery, chemical engineering, biopharmaceuticals, brewing equipment, vacuum equipment, and aerospace fields. In these fields, the high hygiene standards, good sealing performance, and reliable performance of sanitary ball valves make them indispensable key equipment.
To ensure the normal operation of sanitary ball valves and extend their service life, it is necessary to strictly follow relevant specifications and standards for installation and maintenance during use. The following are some suggestions for maintenance and care:
Regular inspection is a key step in ensuring the normal operation of sanitary ball valves. It is recommended to conduct a comprehensive inspection once a month, including the following items:
• Sealing performance: Check whether there is any wear, scratches, or corrosion on the valve's sealing surface. If damage to the sealing surface is found, the sealing parts should be replaced in time to prevent medium leakage.
• Surface finish: Check whether the inner surface of the valve is smooth and free of medium residues or bacterial growth. If dirt or scratches are found on the surface, it should be polished to ensure that the surface finish meets hygiene standards.
• Connection components: Check whether the connection components of the valve (such as bolts and nuts) are tightened. If looseness is found, they should be tightened in time to prevent leakage during valve operation.
Cleaning and disinfection of sanitary ball valves are important steps in ensuring their hygiene and safety. It is recommended to carry out a comprehensive cleaning and disinfection once a week, with the following specific steps:
• Cleaning: Use a dedicated cleaning agent (such as a food-grade cleaner) to clean the valve. During cleaning, the valve should be disassembled, and the inner surface and sealing parts of the valve should be wiped with a soft cloth or sponge to ensure thorough cleaning. After cleaning, rinse the valve with clean water to ensure that the cleaning agent is completely rinsed off.
• Disinfection: After cleaning, disinfect the valve with a disinfectant (such as hydrogen peroxide or alcohol). Spray the disinfectant on the inner surface and sealing parts of the valve, let it sit for 10-15 minutes, and then rinse it with clean water. The disinfected valve should be air-dried or wiped dry with a clean cloth to ensure that there is no residual water on the valve surface.
Lubrication and maintenance can effectively reduce valve wear and extend its service life. It is recommended to carry out lubrication and maintenance once a quarter, with the following specific steps:
• Lubrication: Lubricate the moving parts of the valve (such as the valve stem and seat). Use food-grade lubricating oil and evenly apply it to the moving parts to ensure sufficient lubrication. After lubrication, manually operate the valve several times to distribute the lubricating oil evenly.
• Maintenance: Check whether there is any wear or damage to the moving parts of the valve. If severe wear is found, the parts should be replaced in time. At the same time, check whether the valve's operating mechanism is flexible. If there is any sticking, it should be adjusted or repaired in time.
Sanitary ball valves, with their high hygiene standards, good sealing performance, and convenient operation, play an important role in the food and pharmaceutical industries. They not only ensure the hygiene and safety of products but also improve production efficiency and reduce production costs. With the continuous advancement of technology and the increasing industry standards, the technology and performance of sanitary ball valves will also continue to improve, providing more reliable protection for the development of the food and drug industries.
When selecting sanitary ball valves, users need to choose suitable products based on their actual needs and working conditions. At the same time, it is essential to strictly follow relevant specifications and standards for installation and maintenance to ensure the normal operation and service life of the valves. Only in this way can the role of sanitary ball valves be fully exerted to safeguard our lives and health.
