Alfa Laval extends hygienic valve portfolio with focus on safety parameters
Alfa Laval has expanded its hygienic valve range with the introduction of the Unique SSV Pressure Relief Valve and the Leakage Detection Butterfly Valve, alongside new smaller sizes of existing mixproof valves. The company reports that these additions aim to enhance processing safety, efficiency and reliability across dairy, food, beverage, and home and personal care manufacturing sectors.
Pressure relief technology addresses overpressure risks
The newly launched Unique SSV Pressure Relief Valve has been specifically designed to protect hygienic processing lines from over-pressure conditions, with particular application for systems incorporating positive displacement pumps. The valve integrates with Alfa Laval’s ThinkTop technology for continuous monitoring and control functionality.
“By prioritising product and equipment safety in combination with efficiency and reliability, we continue to support manufacturers in the dairy, food, beverage, and home and personal care industries,” said Paw Kramer, Portfolio Manager for Valves and Automation at Alfa Laval. A notable feature of the Unique SSV Pressure Relief Valve is the ability to adjust pressure relief setpoints on-site to accommodate changing process conditions. The company states that the valve remains fully cleanable-in-place (CIP) regardless of pressure setting, which maintains hygiene standards while minimising production downtime.
Leakage detection system enhances process monitoring
The second major addition, the Leakage Detection Butterfly Valve, incorporates real-time monitoring capabilities when paired with ThinkTop control technology. The integrated leakage detection system allows for immediate identification of potential seal failures or other valve integrity issues.
According to Alfa Laval, the design features a single seal, disc and actuator configuration, resulting in a compact and lightweight unit that may reduce installation complexity and ongoing maintenance requirements.
Expanded mixproof valve dimensions
Alfa Laval has also introduced smaller dimensions of its existing mixproof valve technology, with new 1” (DN25) and 1½” (DN40) sizes of both the Unique Mixproof CIP and Mixproof Process valves now available.
“These additions provide manufacturers with greater flexibility to customise valve solutions to meet their processing requirements,” Kramer noted. The smaller valve dimensions are intended to facilitate integration with compact CIP skids, valve matrices and dosing lines while maintaining the same safety parameters as their larger counterparts.
Technical compatibilities and maintenance considerations
The Unique SSV Pressure Relief Valve has been built on the established SSV platform, enabling component commonality with other Unique SSV valves. This modular approach means shared spare parts across the platform, which the company suggests will simplify maintenance protocols and potentially reduce service costs. All the new valves maintain full CIP compatibility, which is a standard requirement in hygienic processing environments. The valves are specifically engineered for applications where product integrity and consumer safety are critical considerations alongside operational efficiency.
For more information, visit: https://www.alfalaval.com
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