To get the best performance for specific functions, you need to specialize the components to perform that one function as best as possible. This is the reason why there’s such a large variety of hygienic valves and fittings available. However, this can be detrimental since it becomes difficult to select the correct item for your needs. With that in mind, you should use three tips to choose the perfect sanitary valve.
Remember That Function Determines Design
Manufacturers design every type of valve to perform one or more basic functions. These include adjusting, shutting off, diverting, and mixing flow. Valves can also relieve pressure and prevent backflow.
Determining which functions you need your valve to handle is a good way to slim down your options to those that best fulfill your needs. Some of the most common valves include check valves, ball valves, toggle valves, and regulator valves.
Note that check valves will only work as expected if you meet their requirements. You’ll want to look at the response time and cracking pressure required to open the valve.
Think About Performance Requirements
The next tip to choose the perfect sanitary valve is to consider the performance requirements you have for the valves. You’ll want to determine the pressure and temperature requirements the valve will need to contend with. For example, metal valves tend to withstand higher temperatures and amounts of pressure than plastic valves. Thus, stainless steel is one of the more desirable materials for valves.
Consider the Maintenance Needs
Also, consider the ongoing maintenance needs that a valve will have after you’ve bought and installed it. Paying attention to a valve’s maintenance requirements is necessary to ensure the valve’s reliability and application stability. For instance, keeping it clean will be a daily occurrence. Metals like stainless steel will be the easiest to care for since they lack pores for dirt and grime to get into and are thus easy to wipe off. Stainless steel is also famous for being highly resistant to corrosion that dirt and grime cause.