In the world of flow control, not all valves are created equal. While a robust cast iron ball valve might be perfect for wastewater management, using it in a dairy plant could be disastrous.
When browsing components for sensitive applications like food, beverage, or pharmaceuticals, you will often encounter the term "Sanitary" or "Hygienic." But what actually separates a sanitary valve from a standard industrial valve? The difference lies in the design, the material finish, and the ability to be cleaned.
The primary goal of a sanitary valve is to prevent contamination. Standard industrial valves often have "dead spaces," crevices, or threads where fluid can stagnate and bacteria can grow.
Sanitary valves are designed to be aseptic. They feature:
One of the easiest ways to spot the difference is the connection type.
For example, a standard Threaded Swing Check Valve is excellent for preventing backflow in water lines, but a Tri-Clamp Sanitary Check Valve is required when that fluid is intended for human consumption.
Industrial valves are rugged. They might be made of brass, carbon steel, or iron, and the internal surface might be rough (cast).
Sanitary valves are almost exclusively manufactured from high-grade Stainless Steel (304 or 316L). Crucially, they undergo electropolishing. This process smooths the metal surface at a microscopic level (measured in Ra, or Roughness Average). A lower Ra value means the surface is smoother, making it harder for biofilms to attach and easier for Clean-in-Place (CIP) systems to wash the system.
If you are managing a Pharmaceutical manufacturing line, regulations often mandate the use of sanitary components to ensure consumer safety. However, for utility lines, cooling water, or steam transport within the same facility, high-performance industrial valves are often the more cost-effective choice.
Q: Can I use a sanitary valve in a non-food application? A: Yes. Sanitary valves are high-quality and corrosion-resistant. However, they are typically more expensive than standard industrial valves like a Wafer Style Butterfly Valve, so they are rarely used unless the hygiene factor is required.
Q: What is a "Tri-Clamp" fitting? A: It is a sanitary connection system that uses a clamp to secure two ferrules and a gasket. It allows for fast assembly and disassembly without tools, which is why you see them on products like the Tri-Clamp Sanitary Ball Valve.
Q: Are all stainless steel valves sanitary? A: No. A Stainless Steel Threaded Ball Valve is corrosion-resistant, but the threaded connections make it unsuitable for strict sanitary applications.
For strict hygiene standards, always look for the "Sanitary" designation. For comprehensive standards on sanitary equipment design, you can refer to the 3-A Sanitary Standards.
