Sanitary Steam Traps and the Role They Play in Temperature Validated Steam-in-Place

This video explains the role of the steam trap in successful temperature-validated SIP. Courtesy of Steriflow. Click here to watch video.

Steam trap design and operation play a fundamental role in successful temperature-validated SIP. If the steam trap does not open at the correct time and temperature to drain condensate, it can adversely affect heat-up time and whether the temperature hold is successful. It will negatively affect your revenue because of asset startup delays if it isn't.

SIP (Sterilize, or Steam In Place) is timed sterilization of the upstream and downstream biopharmaceutical production train using clean Steam. It is part of a 5 step sanitization routine that occurs after every production batch and follows the final rinse after CIP (Clean In Place). SIP ensures that every square inch of the production train that comes in contact with drug substance inputs, drug substance, or the final drug product is "sterilized" to ensure no microbiological activity in the system.

Clean Steam (made from USP Purified Water) is circulated through all of the process tubing during this stage and enters large vessels through spray balls embedded in the vessel ceiling.

SIP is a temperature-validated process, meaning that sterilization events are proven by measuring the event's temperature and recording the data. The minimum sterilization regimen requires the injection of clean Steam into all piping and vessels for at least 1/2 hour after reaching a minimum temperature of 250°F (121°C). If the temperature falls below 250°F (121°C) during the temperature hold period, a temperature validation fault gets logged, and SIP repeats.

Validation temperature sensors (usually RTD's) are placed at the condensate outlets of process equipment to ensure that the sterilization temperature meets the specific regimen designed for the process system. The sensing elements are usually designed with integral sheathes and Tri-Clamp™ connections and clamp directly to tubing tees, or the element inserts into a Tri-Clamp™ thermowell connected to the tee. The sensors usually are twelve to eighteen (12 - 18) inches (300 - 450mm) upstream of the clean steam trap where the condensate exits the piping or vessel.

Hile Controls

800-536-0269

https://hilealabama.com

High Performance, High Quality Sanitary Diaphragm Valves

Steriflow Valve now offers a complete line of Sanitary Diaphragm Valves including  manual or air actuated, forged or cast 2-ways, ported and tandem valves, barstock zero static T-block, point of use (POU) T-block, divert tank bottom, and custom block body valves.

DOWNLOAD THE SANITARY DIAPHRAGM VALVE CATALOG HERE

• Ported, 2-way Valve - Manual or Pneumatically Actuated Forged Body 2-way Valves with Access Port
• Tandem Access Valve - Manual or Pneumatically Actuated Forged Body 2-way valves with Access Port
• Zero Static Tee Block Valve - Manual or Pneumatically Actuated Inline Barstock Zero Static Use Point Valve
• Sterile Access Block Valve - Single or Double Sterile Access, Manual or Pneumatically Actuated
• Zero Static Point of Use Valve - Standard, Compact, Manual or Pneumatically Actuated Point of Use (POU Valve)
• Divert Multi-Path, Block Valve - Manual or Pneumatically Actuated Barstock Multiple Path Diversion Valves
• Custom Block Body Valves, Clusters - Manual or Pneumatically Actuated Custom Barstock Valves and Valve Clusters
• Tank Bottom Diaphragm Valve - Manual or Pneumatically Actuated Vessel Outlet Valve

Hile Controls of Alabama can now supply you with high performance, high quality sanitary valves and accessories. Call us at 800-536-0269 or visit https://hilealabama.com.

Sanitary Control Valves with O-Ring Stem Seals: The Steriflow FBCV-OR

Diaphragm type control valves are found on WFI (Water for Injection) systems for end of loop backpressure control, on buffer dilution skids, and filtration skids for pressure and flow control and chromatography elution flow control.

O-ring stem seals (what ASME BPE defines as sliding stem seals) are usually specified for control valves on clean air and gas and liquid clean utility applications like USP Purified water and some CIP fluids.

The FBCV O-Ring Series by Steriflow meets the rigid specifications for sanitary process control valves for customers who prefer an O-ring style stem seal. This valve series is suitable for various cosmetic, dairy, and food and beverage industries. Conforming to 3A guidelines, the FBCV is ideal for a wide range of flowing media in both the utility and process areas of sanitary systems.

High rangeability, characterized trim, high capacities, superior temperature and pressure ratings, and a selection of sealing methods make the FBCV sanitary control valve ideal for liquid, gas, and steam services. Whether the need is to control pressure, temperature, flow, pH, or another variable, the FBCV is the correct valve for your process.

DOWNLOAD THE FBCV-OR DATASHEET HERE

Hile Controls of Alabama provides reliable sanitary valves and other products that can be trusted by food, beverage, dairy, health and beauty producers. Hile provides products used in various steam applications including plant steam, filtered steam, clean steam and pure steam. Products include back pressure regulators, pressure regulators, steam traps, check valves, butterfly valves, ball valves and other ancillary products.

Hile Controls of Alabama

https://hilealabama.com

800.536.0269

Valves, Regulators, Steam Traps, and More for Sanitary Processing

Steriflow manufactures a broad range of fluid control and regulator products for use in sanitary operations, such as in the pharmaceutical, food, beverage, and cosmetic industries. The video provides a comprehensive overview of the various products available from Steriflow.

Share all your sanitary process fluid control requirements with process measurement and control specialists, leveraging your own knowledge and experience with their product application expertise for develop effective solutions.

Sanitary Steam Trap for Tank Heating Applications

Mark 934 Sanitary Steam Trap
Courtesy Steriflow

Saving space, reducing parts count, minimizing potential leak points, delivering good performance under all anticipated conditions, and cost savings are all hallmarks of a successful product adaptation. The Mark 934 Sanitary Steam Trap from Steriflow accomplishes all of these things for tank heating operations in food, beverage, or biopharma settings.

The innovative steam trap is essentially two different sized traps built into a single unit. One path employs a large orifice to accommodate large flows during process heat-up, replacing the more traditional bypass line with its additional piping, fittings, and specialties. A smaller orifice handles flow required for maintenance of tank temperature. The activation of either path is automatically controlled in response to the load on the unit.

The video below provides a more in depth explanation, description, and illustration of how the Mark 934 Sanitary Steam Trap functions.

Share your steam system requirements and challenges with product application specialists, combining your own process and facilities knowledge with their product application expertise to develop effective solutions.