Unique Sampling Valve

With Alfa Laval Unique Sampling Valves you can take representative samples in a variety of hygienic processes including food and beverage, personal care and biopharm. These reliable single and double-seat valves provide the high accuracy, exceptional reproducibility and excellent reliability required for high quality, cost-effective sampling. The ergonomically designed handle ensures exceptional control and convenience during operation.

Aseptic and sterilizable solution for safe sample collection

Design ensures hygienic and contamination-free sampling
Easy to operate thanks to simple working principle
Highly reliable operation (rated to 10 bar) and three year warranty for all non-wearing parts
Safe sampling through features such as non-return, quick couplings, pressure relief valve for steam and more
Enhanced cleanability - valve body made of single piece of stainless steel provides smooth, crevice-free surfaces eliminating bacterial build-up risk

Certification, specification and standards: All Unique Sampling Valves are designed, tested and approved according to EHEDG guidelines and certified to carry the 3-A symbol. All product-wetted components are made of 1.4404 (316L). EN10204 3.1 included with valve. For more information, please consult Documentation.

The Alfa Laval Unique Sampling Valve consists of a valve body, an actuator and membrane seal. The rubber membrane seal is placed on the stem of the actuator and acts as a stretchable plug. The valve body made of single piece of stainless steel eliminates need for welding. As such, this prevents pore formation and cracking in the welds, and subsequently risk of bacterial build-up.

Product range and accessories

The Unique sampling valves are available as single and double-seat with working pressures up to 6 bar and maximum temperatures of 130 °C. Membrane seals are made of FDA-approved EPDM or silicone. Choice of manual or pneumatic actuators is available. Other options include types of valve bodies, connections, actuators and accessories.

Valve Type	Size	Product type	Max. Particle size
Single-seat Double-seat	Type 4	Low viscosity	Up to 2,5 mm
Single-seat Double-seat	Type 10	Medium viscosity	Up to 7 mm
Single-seat Double-seat	Type 25	High viscosity	Up to 20 mm

Sampling accessories

Alfa Laval’s has a broad range of high quality sampling accessories to provide users with comprehensive sampling solutions. These include non-return valves, quick couplings, pressure relief valve for steam sterilization and the Alfa Laval Steam generator, which enables you to steam-sterilize where there is no permanent steam supply on hand.

For further information on accessories, click to view product leaflets

How it works

Positions in the sampling process: read section on How it works

Unique single-seat sampling valves

Designed for standard hygienic sampling, the single-seat sampling valve has two positions: open and shut. It can easily be upgraded to a double-seat valve by replacing the handle or actuator with an upgrade kit.

Open position to start the sampling process
Manual valve: rotate the handle counter-clockwise to open the valve.
Pneumatic valve: open the valve by activating the actuator.

In the open position, the valve stem and the membrane are retracted, which enables the product to flow freely through the open valve.

Shut position for sterilization
Manual valve: to stop the sampling process and shut the valve rotate the handle clockwise
Pneumatic valve: shut the air connection.

This action shuts off the flow and makes the channel between the connecting hoses available for sterilization. If steam is used for Sterilization-in-Place, we recommend using an optional pressure relief valve on the outlet.

As an option, Alfa Laval offers the Alfa Laval Steam Generator, which enables you to steam-sterilize where there is no permanent steam supply on hand.

A new level of accuracy with patented new technology

Single-seat technology can pose challenges for complete sterilization. In the closed position, the membrane seal comes into contact with the valve seat. These points of contact are virtually impossible to clean due to tight surface compression and may therefore accumulate product residue and microorganisms. You can achieve an extra level of security using Alfa Laval’s unique double-seat technology. The single seat version can be simply upgraded to a Unique double-seat sampling valve with an easy-to-use upgrade kit.

Unique double-seat sampling valves

The specially engineered Unique double seat sampling valves are an excellent choice for applications that require higher cleanability. Its patented double seat technology ensures higher cleanability and sterilization of the valve seat and pipe connections. Designed for truly sterile sampling, the double-seat sampling valve has three positions: open, shut and sterilization.

Open position to start the sampling process
Manual valve: rotate the handle counter-clockwise to open the valve.
Pneumatic valve: open the air supply air to the open connection. This retracts the valve stem and membrane seal and enables the product to flow freely through the open valve.

Shut position to stop the sampling process
Manual valve: rotate the handle clockwise.
Pneumatic valve: shut off the air to the open connection.

Sterilization position:
Manual valve: rotate the handle clockwise to the steam position.
Pneumatic valve: apply air to the steam connection. This extends the valve head’s inner spindle into the inner seat and stops product flow in the valve port. At the same time the outer spindle of the valve head retracts and lifts the membrane seal away from its normal seat. The hard-to-reach areas on the seat surface are now exposed, ensuring thorough sterilization and making the Unique double-seat sampling valve a solid and reliable choice for 100% representative sampling.

As an option, Alfa Laval offers the Alfa Laval Steam Generator, which enables you to steam-sterilize where there is no permanent steam supply on hand.

Configuration with a pneumatic actuator

Alfa Laval Unique Sampling valve can be configured with a manual or pneumatic actuator. The pneumatic actuator provides a remote sampling option, and an indication proximity switch can be added for valve positioning.

In the single seat configuration, the pneumatic actuator opens and shuts the valve.

When fitted with a double-seated sampling valve, the pneumatic actuator furthermore ensures total sterilization of the entire valve seat and pipe connections.

Unique Sampling Valves w pneumatic actuator

Part of a broad valve range

Alfa Laval offers a comprehensive range of valves intended for hygienic applications in the dairy, food, beverage, home & personal care, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.

For a broader valve range, explorer the different product categories: ball valves, butterfly valves, control/check valves, diaphragm valves, double seal valves, double seat valves, regulating valves, sample valves, shutter valves and single seat valves.

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