Doc. 41 Hygienic Engineering of Diverter Valves in Process Lines for Dry Particulate Materials | EN-Englisch

EHEDG 2011
Seiten /pages: 22

Every process plant is equipped with valves, which fulfil numerous functions. These include line shut-off, opening, change-over and control of product flow, while also giving protection against both excessive or insufficient pressure and intermixing of incompatible media at intersection points in the process line. Diverter valves are applied either when dry particulate material (product) flow has to be diverted into several directions during processing, or when product flow from different lines converges into one line. Valve design and construction has a considerable influence on whether hygienic requirements for a production process are met and hence, the quality of the product itself. Hygienic design requirements established for valves handling liquids cannot be completely met for valves handling dry products. As any hygienic deficiency in the design of diverter valves handling dry products represents a possible risk, the food industry must ensure that only valves recognised as acceptable for use in hygienic dry product processing are used and that the recommended cleaning, maintenance and inspection procedures are followed. This Guideline deals with the hygienic aspects of diverter valve design.