Alfa Laval Valve Automations: Indication Unit, IndiTop, ThinkTop, ThinkTop Basic, ThinkTop D30, GreenTop
LKUV-2 air-relief valves are designed for use when removal of air from a process line without loss of product is a primary concern. The LKUV-2 air-relief valve helps to control the air in your system. The LKUV-2 is a reliable, automatic air-relief valve that is installed vertically on the top of a pipeline or container—or before the inlet for a pump—where the removal of air is required. These provide solid safety, efficiency and low cost of ownership for processing where hygiene standards are essential.
LKUV-2 is a double-seated valve with a freely moving plastic ball. The ball, which is lighter than water, closes against the upper or lower seat, depending on the pressure conditions.
Related Industries:
Processed Foods, Dairy, Beverages, Brewery, Home & Personal Care, Chemical
Alfa Laval LKUV-2 air-relief valves are automatic double-seat valves engineered to relieve excess air in industrial processing lines, thus preventing the negative effects of air entrainment. Vertically installed, LKUV-2 air-relief valves are ideal for use on the top of a pipeline or container or before a pump inlet, where the removal of air is required to maintain design pressure conditions.
LKUV-2 air-relief valves help improve processing efficiency. By preventing air entrainment, the valves contribute to product integrity, energy efficiency and protection of pipelines and pump stations against the effects of pressure surges and water hammer.
With a sturdy, bright finish stainless steel construction, the standard range of Alfa Laval LKUV-2 air-relief valves is available in various dimensions to meet most requirements. These valves are designed for maximum product pressure of 10 bar and temperatures up to 90°C (194°F).
The Alfa Laval LKUV-2 air-relief valve consists of an upper valve body, lower valve body with welding stub, seal ring and polypropylene ball. The valve body is assembled by means of a clamp.
These automatic double-seat air-relief valves have a lightweight, freely moving polypropylene ball that closes against the upper or lower seat, depending on pressure conditions.
When air pressure increases, the ball is forced off its seat, allowing excess air pressure to be vented to the atmosphere. When pressure is equalized, the ball is reseated on the lower valve seat, thus closing the valve.
The LKUV-2 allows air to vent out of a system when installed vertically on the top of a pipeline or container or before the inlet for a pump. The valve allows the venting of excess air pockets, such as in the following examples:
Example 1
Bleeding a pipe line where an air pocket has formed as a result of the installation. In this case, the valve is installed at the top of the pipe.
Example 2
Bleeding a pipe on the suction side of a pump. The suction side is bled automatically, before the pump starts, establishing a vacuum. The air relief valve will prevent air from binding to the product, which prevents the subsequent cavitation. In this case the valve is installed in front of the pump, on top of the inlet pipe.
The valve body is in two parts and is assembled by means of a clamp. The lower valve body has a welding stub.
Steel Parts | 304 |
Ball | Polypropylene |
Seal Ring | EPDM (standard), NBR, FPM |
Finish | Bright |
Max Product Pressure | 145 psi |
Max Temperature | 194°F (because of the plastic ball) |
Ball Density | 0.906 kg/dm3 |
Weight | 1.32 lb |
A (in) | 5.07 |
OD1 (in) | 0.79 |
ID1 (in) | 0.66 |
T1 (in) | 0.06 |
OD2 (in) | 0.47 |
ID2 (in) | 0.39 |
G (in) | 2.93 |
H (in) | 2.57 |
The Tri-Clover® Unique 7000 vacuum breaker from Alfa Laval provides relief from vacuum in process lines along with the latest in sanitary design and cleanability. This air operated vacuum breaker is used to eliminate vacuum on the downstream side of the pasteurizer in an HTST system or other situations where a vacuum can occur in a process line.
The Unique 7000 vacuum breaker valve is CIP capable and complies with 3?A sanitary standards.
Related Industries:
Processed Foods, Dairy, Beverages, Brewery, Home & Personal Care, Chemical
Sharing the same actuator as the Unique 7000 small single seat valve, it needs only one air connection for clean-in-place (CIP) control, making it truly CIP’able. In addition, the Unique 7000 vacuum breaker can be fitted with an IndiTop® or ThinkTop® position indication unit. This enables verification that the valve is properly functioning during process and CIP operations through indication feedback from the top unit.
The working principle is similar to that of a ball check valve. When pipelines are pressurized during process flow or CIP, the internal ball is forced upward against its seat, closing the vent port (see fig. a).
When pipeline pressure drops, the ball is drawn down, allowing air to enter the vent, thereby preventing vacuum in the system (see fig. b).
During CIP, a pneumatic actuator is used (pulsed) to force the ball off the upper seat, allowing cleaning of the seat and the internals of the vacuum breaker valve. The CIP fluid discharged during the actuator pulse is ushered to drain via the vent port (see fig. c).
Pasteurizing systems require a vacuum break at the high point of the process piping. This is done to ensure the pressure is never lowered by vacuum, which could cause a mixing of pasteurized and non-pasteurized products. Alfa Laval’s B44MP manual vacuum breakers provide a vaccum break in pasteurizing systems and other process lines, guarding against the contamination risks presented by vacuum conditions.
The B44MP consists of a few simple components, allowing for years of reliable service. Manual vacuum breakers must be removed and cleaned separate from the system, just like a manual valve.
The A49-42 vacuum breaker is available with a two inch Tri-Clamp® connection.
Related Industries:
Processed Foods, Dairy, Beverages, Brewery, Home & Personal Care, Chemical
B44MP valves’ typical application is at the high point of a high-temperature short-time (HTST) pasteurization line to prevent siphon or back flow in the system.
Models A49-42 and B44MP vacuum breakers are designed for line service only. They are not intended for use on tanks or vessels.
Eqiupped with a diaphragm seal, the B44MP prevents product loss during normal system operation. When the process line experiences a vacuum, the diaphragm is pushed away from the perforated sealing plate by atmospheric pressure, allowing air into the system to eliminate the vacuum conditions.
Model B44MP is offered with a two inch Tri-Clamp connection only. It uses a diaphragm that seals against a perforated plate. The valve features a small bell hood on top to direct any product blow-by down towards the floor.
Product Wetted Parts | 316 |
Diaphragm | Buna |
Overall Height: 3.375 inches
Alfa Laval’s A49-42 manual vacuum breakers provide relief from vacuum conditions in process lines. When used as a vacuum breaker, the A49-42 guards against siphoning and backflow, reducing the risk of product contamination and quality issues as well as protecting sensitive equipment. The A49-42 can also be “flipped” and used as an air eliminator, great for venting entrapped air on the suction side of a pump. The valve’s quick clamp-style assembly and simple design allows for the working parts for be rotated, converting the valve from a vacuum breaker to an air eliminator.
The A49-42 vacuum breaker is constructed of sanitary stainless steel, and is 3-A compliant for manual cleaning, making it a great choice for a variety of hygienic applications.
Related Industries:
Processed Foods, Dairy, Beverages, Brewery, Home & Personal Care, Chemical
A49-42 valves are used at the high point of a high-temperature short-time (HTST) pasteurization system to prevent contamination of pasteurized product due to backflow. The sealing plug of the valve can also be reversed for use as an air eliminator for the suction side of a pump and similar applications.
Models B44MP and A49-42 vacuum breakers are designed for line service only. They are not intended for use on tanks or vessels.
The A49-42’s plug and o-ring assembly provide a seal against the base of the valve when the process line experiences normal, positive pressure. During vacuum conditions, the plug and o-ring drop down, allowing air into the system and eliminating the vacuum.
Model A49-42 is available in 1.5 or 2 inch Tri-Clamp connections. It uses a teflon plug and o-ring design to provide a seal during normal processing. The plug configuration is reversible for use as an air eliminator. The valve features a small bell hood on top to direct any product blow-by down towards the floor.
Product Wetted Parts | 316 |
O-ring | Buna, other options available |
Plug | Teflon |
Overall Height: 1.625 inch