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Innovative diaphragm tube valve bodies thanks to new valve technology

At ACHMEA 2015 the fluid engineering specialist Bürkert is presenting a completely new type of diaphragm tube valve bodies that has been especially developed for applications in hygienic environments. The new bodies satisfy the high requirements imposed on material and cleaning in this setting through the use of a patented hydroforming procedure. Thanks to the technology, improved cleanability is achieved, the use of high-quality stainless steel (316L) is possible, and a significant reduction of the carbon dioxide emissions is attained.

To adapt the technical specifications for tube valve bodies for applications in the hygiene area, for the first time worldwide Bürkert is using a patented hydroforming procedure, also referred to as inner high pressure forming (IHF) in combination with laser welding.

Through the use of the technology high-quality tube valve bodies are formed that more than satisfy the rigorous requirements specified in hygiene regulations and legislation. In terms of their properties, the bodies produced through the innovative procedure are the first on the market and thus are a perfect alternative to forged and cast-iron bodies. Specifically, in the hydroforming process a stainless steel tube in pharmaceutical quality is formed via a high inner pressure. Then laser welding occurs between flange and tube, which is ended with an annealing process to increase the resistance. In the final step, the flange is cut to size and the surfaces are processed high-precisionly.

From the economic, technical, and ecological perspective, the tube valve bodies are ideally suited for pharmaceutical or bio-pharmaceutical applications, but also for applications in the cosmetics sector or in the food and beverage industry. Combined with the versatile ELEMENT control heads and an application-specific automation concept, the diaphragm tube valve bodies offer users a high-quality and efficient industrial solution that minimizes risks and saves engineering costs.

Compared with other bodies, the use of the new procedure enables improved cleanability, greater stability, higher quality materials, better flow conditions, and a design that is more hygienic overall. Another advantage of the procedure is the more environmentally friendly production process. When casting a body with a nominal diameter of DN25, almost 7,000 grams of CO2 are released, on the other hand, with hydroforming the value is slightly over 2,000 grams. Thanks to the use of the patented technology, the bodies satisfy the requirements specified in the ASME BPE and EHEDG hygiene requirements. As specified by ASME BPE, in terms of size, for the market introduction the new bodies are offered in connection sizes of ½, ¾, 1, 1½ and 2 inches. Considered overall, Bürkert looks back over ten years of experience in the area of diaphragm body, and is considered one of the world’s leading suppliers.