Weldable Hygienic Butterfly Valve with Pneumatic Actuator — SS316L, 3-Piece Body, Viton, 0 to 20 bar

The weldable hygienic butterfly valve with pneumatic actuator in 316L stainless steel from Cematic is designed for the automation of sanitary processes in permanent installations.

Its 3-piece SS316L body also allows the disc and seal to be removed without taking the valve out of the pipeline. Consequently, maintenance is faster and does not require cutting the pipe or affecting the rest of the circuit.

Its butt-weld connection also eliminates fluid retention points that exist in clamp connections. Therefore, it is the correct solution for hygienic process lines where the integrity of the welded circuit is a requirement and pneumatic automation is needed.

Why choose the weldable hygienic butterfly valve with pneumatic actuator

The pneumatic actuator also guarantees a fast and repeatable response in each operation. Therefore, it is the preferred solution for processes with frequent opening and closing cycles. It also eliminates manual intervention, which reduces operational errors and increases process efficiency.

The 3-piece body is also the key differentiator compared to single-body weldable butterfly valves. Therefore, it allows the body to be separated into three sections to extract the disc and seal without disassembling the valve from the welded pipeline.

In this way, preventive maintenance is carried out with the line out of service for the shortest possible time.

Weldable vs. Clamp with pneumatic actuator — when to choose weldable

Both versions incorporate a pneumatic actuator, so the difference lies in the type of connection to the pipeline. The weldable connection is correct in the following cases:

• High-purity aseptic lines: The welded joint has no external gaskets or retention cavities, making it the preferred connection type in systems where external contamination is unacceptable. In contrast, the clamp connection has a packing gasket that can be a microbiological risk point.
• Permanent installations: When the valve will not be frequently disassembled, welding also offers greater integrity than the clamp. It also eliminates the progressive deterioration of the clamp gasket due to temperature and cleaning cycles.
• Greater pressure resistance: The welded joint also withstands higher pressures than the clamp connection. Therefore, it is the correct option when the working pressure approaches the upper limit of the system.

Construction materials

The body is made of 316L stainless steel with a sanitary polished finish, which is the standard material in hygienic applications. Its molybdenum content also offers greater resistance to chlorides and CIP agents than SS304. The disc is also SS316L, maintaining material consistency in the fluid contact area.

The seal is Viton (FKM), which offers high chemical and thermal resistance. It is also compatible with most aggressive industrial fluids up to 180°C. Finally, the internal finish Ra ≤ 0.8 µm eliminates surface roughness where microorganisms or product residues could accumulate.

Technical specifications

Fluid compatibility

This weldable hygienic butterfly valve with pneumatic actuator is compatible with the most demanding fluids in sanitary and industrial applications. The main groups are described below:

• Food fluids — juices, milk, beer, wine — SS316L resists the most aggressive CIP agents; also, Viton withstands high temperatures without deforming during cleaning cycles
• Pharmaceutical and cosmetic fluids — materials comply with requirements for direct contact with human consumption products; additionally, the Ra ≤ 0.8 µm finish facilitates sterilization and prevents microorganism accumulation
• Corrosive chemical fluids — Viton is compatible with a wide variety of acids, solvents, and corrosive products; therefore, this valve is effective in demanding chemical processes where EPDM is not sufficient
• Petrochemical fluids and hydrocarbons — the Viton seat is compatible with hydrocarbons, oils, and fuels; also, the SS316L body extends service life in corrosive environments of refineries and petrochemical plants
• Steam, hot water, and high-temperature fluids up to 180 °C — Viton maintains its seal integrity above 120 °C; in contrast, EPDM or NBR are limited to 110 °C and 80 °C respectively

Applications of the weldable hygienic butterfly valve with pneumatic actuator

Food and Beverage Industry

The weldable hygienic butterfly valve with pneumatic actuator is the standard component in automated food and beverage production lines. The pneumatic actuator also executes opening and closing cycles from the PLC without manual intervention. Therefore, it reduces operational errors and guarantees process repeatability in each production batch.

Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Industry

In pharmaceutical and cosmetic process lines, the welded connection also eliminates microbiological risk points that exist in clamp connections. Therefore, it is the preferred connection type in GMP-validated aseptic systems.

Likewise, the 3-piece body allows for inspection and replacement of the Viton seal without disassembling the valve. This reduces downtime during preventive maintenance.

Chemical Industry

Viton, therefore, resists a wide variety of acids, solvents, and corrosive products that would degrade EPDM or NBR. Consequently, this valve ensures a long service life in demanding chemical environments.

In addition, the pneumatic actuator allows for remote fluid control without the need for manual intervention in chemical risk areas.

Petrochemical Industry and High-Temperature Processes

The Viton seat is also compatible with hydrocarbons, oils, and fuels typical of the energy sector. Furthermore, when processes exceed 120 °C, Viton maintains its seal integrity where other elastomers fail.

Therefore, this valve is suitable for steam, hot water, and high-temperature process liquids in refineries and petrochemical plants.

For the complete range of hygienic butterfly valves, see hygienic butterfly valve collection →