PECM Issue 69 2024 | Page 98

Challenges of valve selection and maintenance in pharmaceutical manufacturing

VALVES PROCESS VALVES

BURKERT
Challenges of valve selection and maintenance in pharmaceutical manufacturing
Process valves , including diaphragm valves , used in the pharmaceutical industry are subjected to some of the toughest conditions in manufacturing . Reliability and consistency of every component is crucial for pharmaceutical companies because it directly influences the overall product quality and process reliability . What factors , then , should be considered to ensure the correct selection of manual valves every time ?
Avoiding contamination and dosage errors
From standard two-port valve setups to configurations that incorporate multiple valves into a single solution , choosing the right design can affect product quality , the overall process footprint , pipework complexity , as well as minimizing dead space . Optimising valves for their application ensures the best performance , precision dosing and repeatability , all of which deliver process reliability and uniformity . Similarly , valves need to be able to handle the process fluids as well as the sterilisation processes used between production runs .
Valves that include visual position indicators enable precise control and repeatability , which are important as each adjustment can impact the final product . The ability to set limits on the valve ’ s stroke length enables extreme settings to be avoided , ensuring minimum and maximum flows are maintained .
A selection of Bürkert ’ s manually actuated process valves for pharma
To ensure that maintenance and safety procedures are also adhered to , Bürkert valves include locking features such as lock out , tag out ( LOTO ) to protect against accidental and unauthorized adjustments during operation and maintenance .
Testing diaphragm valves for enhanced performance
When a diaphragm valve is required , the choice of materials impacts the reliability of the component and the mean time between failures ( MTBF ). Designers of pharmaceutical processes should ensure that the diaphragms used in valves are capable of offering the longest possible service life , can withstand the ingredients used in production , and can be easily replaced when necessary .
However , when the time does come to replace a diaphragm , it ’ s vital that the correct procedure is carried out as quickly as possible and only by trained personnel . Bürkert offers a diaphragm replacement service or can provide training for a customer ’ s existing team .
To ensure that diaphragm valves are constructed with the most appropriate materials for a long , reliable service life , Bürkert provides access to its multi-medium testing facility . Here , valves with orifice sizes up to DN100 are tested under realistic conditions to optimise the service life and reliability of all components in direct contact with the media .
Understanding customer challenges in specialised sectors
With a deep understanding of the challenges affecting its customers ’ operations , particularly in specialised sectors like pharmaceuticals , Bürkert offers a diverse range of products available in a variety of materials to suit any application . Each component is crafted with precise , repeatable machining accuracy and undergoes rigorous testing procedures , such as delta ferrite testing .
Bürkert also ensures full traceability of all materials and compounds used in its production process . This meticulous attention to detail allows Bürkert valves to be seamlessly integrated into a customer ’ s existing setup .
You can learn more about Bürkert ’ s full suite of products and services by visiting www . burkert . co . uk / en .
98 PECM Issue 69