Diaphragm valve

Diaphragm valves (or membrane valves) consists of a valve body with two or more ports, a diaphragm, and a "saddle" or seat upon which the diaphragm closes the valve. The valve is constructed from either plastic or steel.

Originally, the diaphragm valve was developed for use in non-hygienic applications. Later on the design was adapted for use in the bio-pharmaceutical industry by using compliant materials that can withstand sanitizing and sterilizing methods.

There are two main categories of diaphragm valves: one type seals over a "weir" (saddle) and the other (sometimes called a "straight-way" valve) seals over a seat. The main difference is that a saddle-type valve has its two ports in line with each other on the opposite sides of the valve, whereas the seat-type has the in/out ports located at a 90 degree angle from one another. The saddle type is the most common in process applications and the seat-type is more commonly used as a tank bottom valve but exists also as a process valve. While diaphragm valves usually come in two-port forms (2/2-way diaphragm valve), they can also come with three ports (3/2-way diaphragm valves also called t-valves) and more (so called block-valves). When more than three ports are included, they generally require more than one diaphragm seat; however, special dual actuators can handle more ports with one membrane.

Diaphragm valves can be manual or automated. Their application is generally as shut-off valves in process systems within the food and beverage, pharmaceutical and biotech industries. The older generation of these valves is not suited for regulating and controlling process flows, however newer developments in this area have successfully tackled this problem.

In addition to the well known, two way shut off diaphragm valve, other types include: three way zero deadleg valve, sterile access port, block and bleed, valbow and tank bottom valve just to name a few.

Actuators

Diaphragm valves can be controlled by various types of actuators e.g. manual, pneumatic, hydraulic, electric etc. The most common diaphragm valves use pneumatic actuators; in this type of valve, air pressure is applied through a Schrader valve which raises the diaphragm and opens the valve. This type of valve is extremely quick and as such is one of the more common valves used in operations where valve speed is a necessity.

Hydraulic diaphragm valves also exist for higher pressure and lower speed operations. Some diaphragm valves are also controlled manually.

Body materials

• Brass

• Steel type:
  • Cast Iron
  • Ductile Iron
  • Carbon Steel
  • Stainless Steel

• Plastic type:
  • ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene)
  • PVC-U (Polyvinyl chloride, unplasticized) also known as PVCu or uPVC
  • PVC-C (Polyvinyl chloride, post chlorinated) also known as PVCc or cPVC
  • PP (Polypropylene)
  • PE (Polyethylene) also known as LDPE, MDPE and HDPE (see note)
  • PVDF (Polyvinylidene fluoride)

Body lining materials

Depending on temperature, pressure and chemical resistance, one of the following is used:

• Unlined type
• Rubber lined type:
  • NR/Hard Rubber/Ebonite,
  • BR/Soft rubber
  • EPDM

• Fluorine plastic lined type
  • FEP/F46
  • PFA
  • PO

Diaphragm materials

• Unlined or Rubber Lined Type:
  • NR/Natural Rubber
  • NBR/Nitrile/Buna-N
  • EPDM

• • FKM/Viton
  • SI/Silicone rubber

• Fluorine Plastic Type:
  • FEP/F46,with EPDM back
  • PTFE/F4,with EPDM back
  • PFA,with EPDM back

Diaphragm valve manufacturers

• Bürkert
• Georg Fischer (Swiss company)
• Gemü
• Festo
• ITT Corporation
• Novaseptic
• Saunders
• Galassi & Ortolani SpA
• Kim Diaphragm Valves Australia

External links

• History of the diaphragm valve