Sanitary Valve Connection Assembly for Spray Drying CIP
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spray drying systems face challenges in minimizing contamination and reducing downtime during cleaning-in-place (CIP) procedures, as they require manual disconnection and reconnection of parts, leading to potential contamination and increased labor, and the risk of liquid leakage.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a sanitary valve that allows for seamless connection between the CIP line and the conveying line, enabling CIP procedures without disconnecting system parts, reducing manual labor, and preventing contamination by forming a tight seal to prevent external contaminants and ensuring efficient cleaning and sanitizing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual disconnection and reconnection of parts is performed during CIP procedures, then cleaning access is improved, but contamination risk and downtime increase
Solution Approach 1:
A sterile connector assembly acts as an intermediary between the CIP system and the conveying line, allowing CIP liquid to reach the conveying line without requiring disconnection of sterile barriers. The connector includes a sterile adapter that interfaces with the conveying line and a non-sterile adapter that interfaces with the CIP system, maintaining sterile isolation while enabling cleaning access.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector assembly is divided into separate sterile and non-sterile portions that can be independently managed. The sterile adapter remains connected to the conveying line during CIP procedures, while the non-sterile adapter connects to the CIP system, allowing cleaning access without compromising the sterile field.
2Ease of operation
If manual disconnection and reconnection of parts is performed during CIP procedures, then cleaning access is improved, but labor requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sterile connector assembly is pre-assembled and pre-sterilized as a complete unit, eliminating the need for manual disconnection and reconnection during CIP procedures. The entire assembly automatically interfaces with both the conveying line and CIP system, allowing the system to service itself without manual intervention for connector management.
3Productivity
If connection assembly allows CIP liquid flow, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but liquid leakage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sterile connector assembly serves as an intermediary with integrated sealing mechanisms that control CIP liquid flow. The connector includes seals and valves that allow CIP liquid to reach the conveying line for efficient cleaning while preventing leakage to the external environment through proper sealing at the interface between sterile and non-sterile portions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution reduces contamination risks, minimizes downtime, and increases operational efficiency by allowing continuous operation, reducing the need for manual disconnection and reconnection, and preventing bacterial growth in unused pipelines.
Implementation Method 1
in the closed position, one part of the valve member seals the conveying line
Implementation Method 2
the CIP liquid to flush the transfer device, the powder recovery unit itself and adjacent pipe work
Implementation Method 3
the conveying line for the stream of powder is thoroughly dried by air/gas to ensure that the stream of powder in the conveying line is not compromised by any remains of moisture
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates to a spray drying system (1 ) comprising a spray dryer with a drying chamber (2) and a process air/gas supply device, at least one powder recovery unit (4), a conveying line (11 ) for powdery material such as fines from the powder recovery unit, a connection assembly (10) connecting the powder recovery unit or the conveying line to a cleaning-in-place, CIP, arrangement including a CIP line configured to transport CIP liquid. The connection assembly (10) comprises a sanitary valve (20) including a first inlet (12) to the conveying line or the powder recovery unit, and a valve member (21 ) moveable between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the closed position, one part of the valve member (21 ) seals the conveying line (1 1 ) and when in the open position, the valve member (21 ) is moved to provide communication between the CIP line (15) and the conveying line (11 ) or the powder recovery unit (4), thereby allowing CIP liquid to enter and exit the sanitary valve (20) through the CIP line (15) and into the conveying line (1 1 ) or the powder recovery unit (4) via said first inlet (12). In another aspect of the invention, a method for cleaning a spray drying system is described.