SBV Sanitary Ball Valve

Reliable full-flow performance

Alfa Laval sanitary ball valves (SBVs) are full-bore flow valves that provide on/off control with minimal pressure drop. The valve opening has a constant pipeline diameter, which enables fluids to flow freely through the valves when open. Flow restriction is comparable to that of a straight tube. This makes the SBVs suitable for:

• Handling fluids that are viscous or contain solid, semi-solid or abrasive particles
• Use wherever pigging of process lines is a major consideration
• Applications that require gentle product treatment
• CIP applications

Automated or manual control

For versatility, Alfa Laval SBVs can be supplied for manual or automatic operation.

Manual operation: SBVs feature stainless steel quarter-turn handles to mechanically lock the valves in either open or closed position.

Automatic operation: SBVs use standard maintenance-free pneumatic actuators. Actuated ball valves are delivered as normally closed (NC) valves that are controlled from a remote location by means of compressed air. These, however, can easily be rebuilt to a normally open (NO) configuration. Actuators can be fitted with Alfa Laval ThinkTop valve sensing and control units. Optional inductive proximity sensor and mounting bracket are available.

Compact, simple ball valve design

Easy to build into most any process line, Alfa Laval SBVs feature a straightforward floating ball design, which guarantees a tight seal and permits axial movement while preventing rotation. They are water hammer-safe and completely insensitive to pressure shocks in the pipelines.

Spring-loaded, self-adjusting seal rings provide highly reliable valve stem sealing. SBVs with automated control have inspection holes in the bonnet for easy inspection of the stem seal.

Easy-to-maintain ball valves

The three-piece valve design with few moving parts enables easy access to all valve components, making maintenance quick and easy. Durable PTFE valve seats help prolong service intervals. No special tools required for maintenance.

Sanitary ball valve range

The Alfa Laval sanitary ball valve range consists of two standard valve models.

• SBV with either manual handle or automated operation for applications that involve high operating pressures up to 16 bar and temperatures up to 150°C, and where the use of pigging systems is required.
• Tri-Clover® ball valves for applications that require full flow with minimal flow turbulence and pressure drop. An optional encapsulated seat is available for applications where reducing the risk of potential product entrapment is important.

For more information, please refer to Documentation.

Concept

SBV is a hygienic ball valve designed for use as a product valve, in
applications within food, beverage, pharmaceutical and chemical
industries. The full bore design with zero flow restriction makes SBV
the optimum choice for viscous or particulate liquids.

Working principle

A precision made ball with a bore is positioned inside the valve body
between two flanges and two PTFE valve seats. A 90° rotation of the
valve stem is transferred to the ball and thereby opening or closing the
valve. A special selected PTFE material grade secures long lifetime of
the product wetted seals. Reliable valve stem sealing is achieved by
the use of spring loaded and self adjusting seal rings. SBV is operated
by a pneumatic actuator or manually operated by means of a handle
with lockable positions. The valve is assembled with screws for easy
inspection and maintenance.

Standard Design

The standard actuator is prepared for position indication with inductive
proximity switches. The actuator is maintenance free. Two inspection
holes in the bonnet connecting valve body and actuator allow for easy
inspection of the stem seal tightness. Actuated valves are delivered
NC (normally closed) and are easily rebuild to NO (normally open).