Rotating Disk Valve Structure for Cleanable Food Powder Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valves in the food processing industry face challenges in terms of durability, cleanability, and efficiency, particularly in maintaining food safety and hygiene standards.
Innovation Solution
A valve design featuring a rotatable stem with a disk that moves from a closed to an open position by rotating approximately 180°, incorporating a void space around the stem for improved cleanability and a stem seal groove for enhanced sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional valve designs are used, then the valve structure is simple, but the cleanability is poor and sealing elements suffer from wear and tear
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is divided into separate components including a valve body, disk, stem, and gaskets that can be independently removed and cleaned. This segmentation allows each component to be accessed and maintained separately, improving cleanability while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The gaskets and sealing elements are designed to be removable from the valve body, allowing them to be extracted for separate cleaning and inspection. This extraction of sealing components enables thorough cleaning without disassembling the entire valve structure.
2Ease of operation
If the valve is designed for easy cleaning, then cleanability is improved, but the sealing durability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The valve design incorporates preliminary cleaning features such as accessible sealing surfaces and removable gaskets that allow cleaning to be performed before wear becomes problematic. This preventive approach maintains sealing durability by ensuring surfaces are clean before operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The gaskets are designed as replaceable components that can be removed, cleaned, inspected, and replaced when necessary. This approach allows the sealing elements to be recovered through maintenance rather than replacing the entire valve, balancing cleanability with durability.
3Productivity
If the disk is positioned perpendicular to the stem, then the valve structure is compact, but the flow capacity is reduced and pressure drop increases
Solution Approach 1:
The disk is designed to rotate dynamically between different positions relative to the stem. In the open position, the disk aligns with the stem to maximize flow capacity, while in the closed position, it rotates to seal against the valve seat. This dynamic positioning optimizes both flow and sealing functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve design changes the angular parameter of the disk relative to the stem based on operational requirements. By adjusting this angular parameter between different positions, the valve achieves optimal flow capacity during operation and effective sealing during closure.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a(P1)
AI summary
A valve (200) for controlling a product flow, comprising a valve body (210) and a rotatable stem (220) with an end portion (221) of the stem (220) disposed within a product flow channel (213) of the valve (200), and a disk (222) arranged on the stem (220) at an angle (a) greater than zero relative to an elongated extension (STE) of the stem (220) for sealing respectively opening the valve closure area (227) by rotating the stem (220) approximately 180°, the valve body (210) comprising a stem seal groove (215) having a stem seal (225) that surrounds the stem (220), and a void space (302) surrounding the stem (220) and extending from the stem seal (225) to the product flow channel (213), such that the stem seal (225) is fluidly connected to the product flow channel (213) via the void space (302). A mixing unit (1) for mixing a liquid product with a powder product and a method (600) for mixing a liquid food product with a powder food product are also disclosed.