Precision seals for high containment ChargePoint valves

Demonstrating alternative views of the

Demonstrating alternative views of the 'split butterfly ChargePoint valve'

As API potency levels continue to rise so too is the degree of co-operation between containment equipment maker and seal manufacturer. For split butterfly valve maker, ChargePoint Technology, precision engineered elastomer seals from Precision Polymer Engineering are critical to the valve's application and operation.

Increasingly potent compounds used in pharmaceutical research and manufacture pose a health risk to workers. Reducing and, where possible, eliminating this risk is the role of containment systems. Containment involves isolating the product and process rather than the operator, thus avoiding the need for excessive levels of personal protection equipment. Other benefits of containment include prevention of cross contamination and dust hazard, reducing the need for manual cleaning and the creation of a more ergonomic and efficient working environment in line with FDA regulation and GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) design. Containment solutions typically include isolators, extraction booths and split butterfly valves.

Split butterfly valve sealing ChargePoint is a leading supplier of split butterfly valves to the pharmaceutical industry. Its valves are used for a variety of powder handling containment applications where operator exposure limits down to nanogram levels are required. The valve has two critical sealing elements: metalto- metal and metal-to-elastomer.

The valve coupling comprises Active and Passive halves each with an external metal disc interface. When the two halves of the valve are docked together, the coupling becomes a single unit; and the metal discs come together to form a

single disc. The quality of this metal disc seal is one of the key design features that contributes to the containment performance of a split valve. When docked the single metal disc is released and powder flows into the reactor vessel. The precision of the metal disc seal is such that it prevents product from entering the metal-to-metal disc interface. When the coupling is undocked after product transfer the two external facing discs are clean, and no product is released into the operating environment.

A metal-to-metal disc seal relies solely on the precision of the two disc faces to create an effective seal; there are no elastomer seals to compensate for any inaccuracies in the sealing faces. The advantage of this approach is its simplicity, minimisation of components and reduced risk of breech of containment due to damage and wear of elastomeric parts.

Elastomer seals are used, however, as a ‘seat’ within each half of the valve, providing a containment seal between the Active and Passive bodies when connected together, and also a seal for the Active and Passive metal discs in their respective halves of the valve. The tolerance of the elastomer seat component is an important design feature. An under tolerance seat will not allow an effective containment seal, while an over tolerance seat will prove difficult to operate due to friction between the seat and metal disc. This is particularly evident on larger valve sizes where the surface area of disc in contact with the seat is greater, therefore, friction is increased proportionally.

“Ease of manual operation is an important sales differentiator for the valve. Using a short lever arm for simple manual operation can only be considered when an elastomer seat is used that gives optimal, low-friction, performance. This is to say; not too tight to manually operate, but not too loose so that there is no containment seal. The balance must be perfect,” explains MD Chris Eccles.

“We have worked with specialist seals manufacturer, Precision Polymer Engineering (PPE) on perfecting the elastomer seat seal. The seals are precision moulded and machined to meet the high tolerances needed for smooth manual and automated operation of the valve. PPE's precision moulding allows for minimal wear on the seat due to friction, thus increasing the lifetime of the seat and reducing the risk of loss of containment or contamination of the product.”

For the valve range 50mm - 300mm, PPE supplies three grades of seal: EPDM (ethylene propylene diene M-class rubber), V70SW FKM (fluoroelastomer), and Perlast G74S (perfluoroelastomer), each elastomer is compliant with the requirements of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulatory standard 21CFR 177.2600 for ‘rubber articles intended for repeated use’ in food manufacture and United States Pharmacoepia - Class VI (USP Class VI). In addition to the seat seals, each valve uses a total of four elastomer seals.

Taking the Pressure The valve manufacturer has also developed a design of split butterfly valve for use under vacuum or pressure conditions, typically rated up to 6Bar and full vacuum. The solution does not rely on a thick disc profile, which can impede powder flow, to achieve a pressure rating but utilises an o-ring seal between the Active and a Pressure Rated Plug. As a result, the valve can also be fitted with a Pressure Rated Passive unit and opened up enabling product transfer under pressure or full vacuum.

Improved Chemical Resistance Seals The valves are routinely subject to a wide variety of chemicals and solvents during pharmaceutical production, followed by aggressive cleaning agents including high temperature steam. For clean-in-place (CIP) the valve uses a device that mimics the Passive body by docking into the Active to provide cleaning of the valve sealing faces and in some cases the container, vessel or IBC it is connected too. Once in place a water tight containment seal is ensured by an O-ring between the Active and CIP device.

For a new production campaign, the split butterfly valve is dismantled for thorough cleaning of the individual components. The use of minimal parts makes the task of assembly or dismantling for cleaning, much easier, thus reducing process downtime. The manufacturer encourages valve users to visually inspect the seals as part of a maintenance programme to ensure longevity of operation.

For many FKM and perfluoroelastomer (FFKM) seals it is the cleaning agents which take the greatest toll on their operational life, PPE has developed a customised FKM grade that improves the seal's resistance to high temperature steam, clean-in-place. The V70SW grade FKM fills the gap between EPDM and FFKM performance. EPDM lacks adequate chemical resistance to high temperature oils and solvents but it resistant to water. FFKMs, at the other end of the elastomer spectrum, are resistant to oil and solvents and steam, but cost-prohibitive for any applications. The FKM grade sits between EPDM and FFKM, combining excellent chemical resistance and mechanical properties with steam resistance and temperature stability up to 200˚C.

Chris Eccles welcomes the high level of collaboration with PPE in the on-going development. “We see PPE as a technology partner where they understand our business and are able to respond quickly to short lead times. For example we've involved them in new product developments such as the DL 200mm, 250mm and 300mm valves for bulk materials where a much larger seat seal is needed.”

“By tapping into PPE's in-depth knowledge of elastomers, and precision manufacture, we are able stay one step ahead of the containment challenges - both technical and financial - facing our customers.”

Precision Polymer Engineering, Tel: 01254 295400
Website: www.prepol.com
www.thechargepoint.com


Published: 31st March 2011

BVAA Strengthens Board with New Members

Rachel Wormald, Managing Director at YPS Valves Ltd and Elizabeth Waterman, ...

Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Read full article

BVAA Valve & Actuator Training News

Are you looking for industry-leading, brand independent valve and actuator ...

Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Read full article

Comment by BVAA CEO Rob Bartlett

As can be seen from the photograph, clearly the resident birds at Bartlett ...

Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Read full article

Howco Group Invests £1 Million in Vertical CNC Turning Centres

Howco Group has unveiled its latest £1million investment, with the ...

Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Read full article

Allvalves: Fuelling Growth Through Customer Connectivity

In 2024, Allvalves is poised for an exciting year of growth and expansion, ...

Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Read full article

GMM Pfaudler - Introducing the Normag Brand to the BVAA Community

GMM Pfaudler Engineered Plastics & Gaskets are delighted to bring the ...

Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Read full article

Building Industry Connections: A GMM Pfaudler Success Story

In the ever-evolving valve industry, GMM Pfaudler stands out for its ...

Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Read full article

SAMSON Controls Participates in the UK CCUS and Hydrogen Decarbonisation Summit

SAMSON Controls Ltd – part of the SAMSON group - a renowned leader in ...

Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Read full article