A Glossary of Sanitary Flange Valve Terms

Introduction

Sanitary flange valves are essential components in industries requiring strict hygiene standards, such as food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and cosmetics. Understanding the terminology associated with these valves ensures proper selection, installation, and maintenance. This glossary provides definitions for key terms related to sanitary flange valves, helping professionals navigate technical specifications and industry standards.

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A

ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers)

An organization that sets standards for the design, manufacturing, and testing of valves and other mechanical components, including those used in sanitary applications.

ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials)

An international standards organization that develops and publishes technical standards for materials, including those used in Sanitary Valves.

Autoclave

A sterilization process that uses high-pressure steam to eliminate microorganisms. Sanitary valves must withstand autoclaving without degradation.

Axial Flow

A type of fluid flow where the medium moves parallel to the valve stem, common in certain sanitary valve designs.

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B

Back Pressure

The resistance to fluid flow caused by downstream conditions, which can affect valve performance.

Ball Valve

A quarter-turn valve with a spherical disc that controls flow. Sanitary Ball Valves are designed for easy cleaning and minimal contamination risk.

Biofilm

A layer of microorganisms that can accumulate on valve surfaces if not properly cleaned, leading to contamination risks.

Bore (Full Bore vs. Reduced Bore)

- Full Bore: The valve’s internal diameter matches the pipeline, minimizing pressure drop.

- Reduced Bore: The valve’s internal diameter is smaller than the pipeline, which may increase pressure drop but is sometimes used for flow control.

Butt Weld

A welding method used to connect valves to pipelines, ensuring a smooth, crevice-free joint for sanitary applications.

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C

CIP (Clean-in-Place)

A method of cleaning sanitary valves and pipelines without disassembly, using high-velocity cleaning solutions.

Clamp Connection

A type of sanitary flange connection using tri-clamp or ferrule fittings for quick assembly and disassembly.

Crevice-Free Design

A valve construction that eliminates gaps where bacteria or product residue could accumulate, critical for sanitary applications.

Cv (Flow Coefficient)

A measure of a valve’s flow capacity, indicating how much fluid can pass through at a given pressure drop.

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D

Dead Leg

An area in a piping system where fluid can stagnate, increasing contamination risk. Sanitary valves should minimize dead legs.

Diaphragm Valve

A valve that uses a flexible diaphragm to regulate flow, often used in sanitary applications due to its cleanability.

Double Seat Valve

A valve with two sealing surfaces, reducing leakage risk and improving hygiene.

Drainability

The ability of a valve to fully drain liquids, preventing residue buildup and contamination.

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E

EHEDG (European Hygienic Engineering & Design Group)

An organization that sets hygiene standards for equipment in food and pharmaceutical industries, including valves.

End Connection

The method by which a valve attaches to a pipeline (e.g., clamp, weld, threaded).

Extrusion

A manufacturing process used to create seamless valve components, reducing contamination risks.

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F

Ferrule

A sanitary fitting used with clamps to connect valves and pipes, ensuring a secure, leak-free joint.

Flange

A rim or collar used to connect valves to pipelines, available in various sanitary designs (e.g., tri-clamp, DIN, SMS).

Flow Rate

The volume of fluid passing through a valve per unit of time, often measured in liters per minute (LPM) or gallons per minute (GPM).

Food-Grade Material

Materials (e.g., 316L stainless steel, EPDM, PTFE) approved for contact with consumable products.

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G

Gasket

A sealing component placed between flanges to prevent leaks, typically made of FDA-approved elastomers.

GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice)

Regulations ensuring that products are consistently produced and controlled according to quality standards, affecting valve design.

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H

Hygienic Design

Engineering principles that minimize contamination risks, including smooth surfaces, minimal dead spaces, and easy cleanability.

Hysteresis

The lag between an input signal (e.g., actuator movement) and the valve’s response, affecting control precision.

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I

Inline Valve

A valve installed directly in a pipeline, allowing straight-through flow with minimal obstruction.

ISO 2852

An international standard for dimensions and materials of stainless steel tube fittings used in sanitary applications.

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J

Jacketed Valve

A valve with an outer layer for heating or cooling, used in temperature-sensitive processes.

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K

Kettle-Type Valve

A valve designed for high-purity applications, often used in pharmaceutical processing.

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L

Leakage Class

A classification (e.g., ANSI/FCI 70-2) defining the permissible leakage rate for a valve.

Lug Type Flange

A flange with threaded inserts, allowing valve removal without disturbing the pipeline.

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M

Material Certification

Documentation (e.g., Mill Test Reports) verifying that valve materials meet industry standards.

Multi-Port Valve

A valve with multiple inlets/outlets for complex flow routing in sanitary systems.

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N

Non-Return Valve

A valve that allows flow in one direction only, preventing backflow contamination.

NPT (National Pipe Thread)

A tapered thread standard, less common in sanitary applications due to potential contamination risks.

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O

Orifice

The opening in a valve through which fluid flows, affecting flow rate and pressure drop.

O-Ring

A circular gasket used to seal valve connections, often made of FDA-compliant elastomers.

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P

Passivation

A chemical process that enhances stainless steel’s corrosion resistance by removing free iron from the surface.

PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene)

A non-stick, chemically resistant material used for valve seals and linings in sanitary applications.

Pneumatic Actuator

A device that uses compressed air to automate valve operation, common in sanitary processes.

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Q

Quick Disconnect (QD) Fitting

A sanitary connection allowing fast assembly and disassembly for cleaning or maintenance.

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R

Ra (Surface Roughness)

A measure of a valve’s internal surface smoothness, critical for preventing bacterial adhesion (typically < 0.8 µm for sanitary valves).

Rf Flange (Raised Face Flange)

A flange type with a raised sealing surface, though less common in high-purity applications compared to flat-face flanges.

Rupture Disk

A safety device that bursts at a set pressure, protecting sanitary systems from overpressure.

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S

Sanitary Flange

A specialized flange designed for hygienic applications, often with tri-clamp or DIN/SMS connections.

SIP (Steam-in-Place)

A sterilization method using steam to sanitize valves and pipelines without disassembly.

Stem

The component that transmits motion from the actuator to the valve’s closure mechanism.

Stub End

A short pipe section welded to a valve, facilitating flange connections.

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T

Tri-Clamp (Tri-Clover)

A sanitary flange connection system using a clamp and gasket for easy assembly and cleaning.

Turbulent Flow

A chaotic flow regime that improves cleaning efficiency in CIP systems.

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U

Ultrasonic Testing (UT)

A non-destructive testing method to detect flaws in valve materials.

Union

A fitting that allows easy disconnection of valves for maintenance.

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V

Venting

The release of trapped air or gas from a valve to prevent flow obstruction.

Viscosity

A fluid’s resistance to flow, affecting valve selection (e.g., high-viscosity fluids may require larger ports).

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W

Weld Neck Flange

A flange designed for welding to pipelines, ensuring a strong, leak-free connection.

Wetted Parts

Valve components in direct contact with the process fluid, requiring corrosion-resistant materials.

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Conclusion

This glossary provides a foundational understanding of key terms related to sanitary flange valves. Proper knowledge of these terms ensures compliance with industry standards, optimal system performance, and adherence to hygiene requirements in critical applications.

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