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Special Purpose Valves

Precision Valves for Sanitary and Process-Critical Applications

Special purpose valves are designed for the most sensitive points in sanitary process systems, where hygiene, pressure stability, controlled sampling, and precise flow adjustment are essential to product quality and process reliability.

From aseptic tank sampling in dairy plants to pressure holding at the outlet of cream separators, these valves provide the control functions that standard shut-off valves cannot deliver.

Designed for critical sanitary duties

  • Sanitary sampling without contaminating the main product
  • Pressure stabilisation in separator, pasteuriser and filter lines
  • Fine flow control for low-volume and laboratory services
  • Improved hygiene, process consistency and operator control
  • Suitable for dairy, beverage, food and hygienic process systems
Engineered Control

More than on/off isolation

In sanitary industries, not every valve is simply used to open or close flow. Many process points require much more: sterile product sampling, constant back pressure, or extremely fine control of low flow rates. This is where special purpose valves become essential.

Why special purpose valves matter

In dairy, beverage and hygienic processing, valve selection directly affects process stability, contamination risk, equipment protection and final product consistency. A poorly selected valve may cause inaccurate sampling, unstable pressure after a separator, or uncontrolled low-flow dosing in critical stages of production.

Special purpose valves are engineered specifically for these tasks. They are used where repeatability, hygiene and precision are required beyond the capability of general service valves.

Typical performance priorities

Hygienic design: smooth internal surfaces, sanitary connections and easy cleaning.

Stable control: reliable pressure or flow regulation under changing process conditions.

Product protection: reduced risk of contamination, air ingress or process disturbance.

Operational accuracy: repeatable results for quality control, separator performance and precise adjustment.

Sanitary Construction

Suitable for hygienic systems requiring cleanability, product integrity and reduced dead zones.

Precision Control

Accurate handling of pressure, flow and sampling at process-critical points.

Process Reliability

Supports stable operation and helps reduce variation in downstream equipment performance.

Application Specific

Designed for tasks that standard butterfly or shut-off valves are not intended to perform.

Valve Types

Special purpose valves for sanitary processing

The following valve types are commonly used in sanitary applications where cleanliness, sampling accuracy, pressure holding, and precise flow adjustment are operationally important.

01

Sampling Valve

A sampling valve is used to withdraw a representative product sample from a tank or pipeline without contaminating the main product stream. In sanitary industries, this is especially important for milk, cream, yogurt base, beverage concentrates and other products that require routine quality checks.

In dairy plants, sanitary sampling valves are often installed on storage tanks, process vessels and transfer lines to allow controlled milk sampling for laboratory analysis, microbiological testing, fat content verification or batch quality confirmation.

  • Ideal for milk and dairy sampling from tanks and hygienic pipelines
  • Supports quality control without exposing the whole batch to contamination
  • Available in aseptic and standard sanitary versions
  • Suitable for CIP-compatible hygienic installations
  • Helps maintain sample integrity and operator safety
02

CPM Valve

A CPM valve is designed to maintain a constant pressure at a defined point in the process line. Its most important role is to hold and stabilise pressure where process consistency depends on controlled back pressure or discharge conditions.

One of the most common sanitary applications is at the outlet of a cream separator, where the valve helps maintain stable process pressure. This contributes to smoother separator performance, improved product handling and more reliable operation of connected downstream equipment.

  • Used for holding and stabilising pressure in sanitary process lines
  • Commonly installed at cream separator outlets
  • Also suitable for pasteurisers, filtration lines and other pressure-sensitive equipment
  • Reduces pressure fluctuation and process instability
  • Improves operating consistency and protects process performance
03

Needle Valve

A needle valve is used for very fine adjustment of flow in smaller lines or low-volume service points. It is particularly useful where gradual and precise control is required rather than quick shut-off.

In hygienic and laboratory-related systems, needle valves may be used for controlled dosing, instrument feed lines, pilot units or small-volume utility connections where accuracy is more important than large flow capacity.

  • Enables precise low-flow regulation
  • Well suited for laboratory, pilot and instrument-related applications
  • Provides smooth manual adjustment
  • Useful where standard valves are too coarse for the duty
  • Supports better control in dosing and test systems
Applications

Where these valves are typically used

Special purpose valves are selected for process points where product quality, hygiene and stability must be tightly controlled.

Dairy Tanks and Milk Storage

Sampling valves allow safe and hygienic milk sampling from tanks for routine QC, compositional checks and batch release procedures.

Cream Separator Outlet

CPM valves help hold stable outlet pressure, supporting reliable separator performance and reducing process fluctuation.

Pasteurisation and Filtration Lines

Pressure control valves assist in maintaining steady operating conditions for heat treatment and filtration equipment.

Laboratory and Pilot Systems

Needle valves provide fine manual control where accurate low-flow adjustment is required for testing, dosing or pilot process work.

Quick Comparison

Select the right valve for the right process duty

Each special purpose valve solves a different process problem. Choosing correctly improves reliability, product protection and overall control quality.

Valve Type Main Function Typical Sanitary Use Key Benefit
Sampling Valve Take product samples safely and hygienically Milk tanks, dairy vessels, hygienic process lines Protects the main batch while enabling reliable quality control
CPM Valve Maintain constant pressure Cream separator outlet, pasteuriser and filter discharge Stabilises operation and reduces process fluctuation
Needle Valve Fine flow regulation Laboratory lines, pilot systems, instrument and dosing points Provides precise manual control at low flow rates
Technical Value

Why proper valve selection improves sanitary process performance

In critical sanitary operations, the right valve does more than perform one function. It supports repeatable production, better hygiene management and more stable equipment behaviour.

Better hygiene assurance

Proper sanitary sampling reduces contamination risk and supports more reliable product testing in dairy and hygienic processing.

Improved separator and line stability

Pressure-holding valves help maintain stable conditions at critical outlets, especially after cream separators and similar equipment.

More accurate low-flow control

Needle valves allow finer regulation than general shut-off valves, which is important for laboratory or dosing-related duties.

More reliable process results

Special-purpose valve selection helps reduce variation, improve repeatability and support quality-focused plant operation.

Need the right valve for a critical sanitary duty?

Whether you need a sanitary sampling valve for milk tanks, a CPM valve for stabilising pressure at the outlet of a cream separator, or a needle valve for precise low-flow control, selecting the right solution can improve both product quality and process performance.

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