Hygienic valves 316L stainless — butterfly · ball · mixproof · sampling

The difference is in product-contact surfaces: hygienic valves use 1.4404/316L stainless polished to Ra 0.8 µm, crevice-free design, food-grade seals and sanitary quick connections (clamp/hygienic weld) — withstanding chemical and steam CIP/SIP cycles. Standard valves cannot meet this surface finish and cleanability, so they are unsuitable for food or pharma contact lines.

A mixproof valve (double-seat, such as Definox VEOX) has two independent seats with a leakage chamber in between: if one seal fails, liquid drains outside through the chamber instead of crossing into the other line. Required at tank bottoms and valve matrices where CIP runs parallel to production — common in multi-line dairy, brewery and beverage plants.

DPX/DPAX butterfly valves are the standard choice for shutting off regular liquid products (DN25–150, up to 14 bar, ≤120°C, cost-effective). DBX/DBAX ball valves suit higher pressure (up to 20 bar), wider temperature (−30…+160°C) or viscous/particle-laden fluids thanks to the straight-through bore. Both come in manual and pneumatic versions.

By fluid and cleaning regime: EPDM is the general-purpose default with good steam and caustic CIP resistance — standard for dairy, brewery, beverages; FKM handles fats, alcohol and aggressive cleaning chemicals; silicone offers heat resistance and taste neutrality, common in pharma. Demanding mixproof duty has PFA seal options. Confirm against actual CIP chemical concentrations and SIP temperatures.

Yes — it is a core design requirement: dead-leg-free bodies let cleaning solution reach every surface, and materials resist CIP caustic/acid and saturated SIP steam within each series' temperature limit (butterfly ≤120°C, ball up to 160°C). Definox air-relief and pressure-reducing valves protect the line during cleaning cycles.

Pigging pushes a 'pig' (a sanitary projectile) through the line to recover product left inside before rinsing — cutting losses of high-value product and reducing effluent load. Worth considering for expensive products or frequent changeovers: jam, chocolate, cosmetics, paint, even lithium battery slurry. STARMOTION uses a 316L body with premium alloy options.

Definox pneumatic valves (DPAX, DBAX, DCX3/DCX4) mount Sorio control heads: open/closed position feedback, integrated solenoid valves and signal connection to PLC/SCADA — the foundation of automated CIP valve matrices. Thái Khương supports valve diagrams and control-head configuration to match the plant's existing control system.