VARIVENT® Mixproof shut-off valves with seat lifting

Application Examples

To accommodate the different requirements of various industries, applications and processes, we have a variety of mixproof shut-off valves in our portfolio. The selection scheme on pages provides an overview of all the options.

VARIVENT® long-stroke valves are used for manufacturing products with relatively large particles or for viscous products, such as strawberry yoghurt.

Special Features

• Certified, hygienic configuration
• Metallic stop
• Flexibility because of the modular principle
• Proven seal geometry
• Mixproof separation
• Different valve configurations available
• Separate lifting actuator for lifting both valve discs
• Optional spray cleaning connection for cleaning the leakage chamber

Variety of types

The different variants of the VARIVENT® double-seat valve make it possible to select valves that are optimally adapted to the process. The axial sealing valve types D and B entail a small switching leakage during each switching procedure, but they notably have a very long service life with the axial seals. The radial sealing valve type R, on the other hand, offers the advantage of switching nearly without any switching leakage. Valve types B and R are additionally characterized by a balancer in the lower valve housing. This enables the valve to reliably remain in the closed position even if there are water hammers in the lower pipeline. The valve type MX is additionally equipped with a balancer on the double disk and valve disk. Thanks to specially shaped balancers in both pipelines, the valve remains stable in the closed position even in the event of water hammer and, on the other hand, retains its full ability to act even in the case of hydraulic lock or thermal expansion of the medium.

The structure of the VARIVENT® modular system means that many optional versions are available for adapting the valve optimally to the process. Please refer to the options section in the catalog for information about these.

Switching leakage

In axial sealing double-seat valves, with every switching procedure there is a short time during which the lower valve disc is neither in contact with the middle seal of the upper valve disc, nor has it reached the axial seat surface of the seat ring. During this brief moment liquid can percolate through the resulting gap into the leakage chamber and flow out into the atmosphere. This is referred to as the switching leakage.

In radial sealing double-seat valves, this gap does not occur during the switching procedure, which means the switching leakage is reduced to a minimum (possibility of product residues adhering to the metallic surfaces).

Water hammer safety

If there is a water hammer in the lower pipeline, the force of the water hammer acts on the lower valve disc and could exceed the locking force of the actuator spring.

This gives rise to the danger of the lower valve disc being lifted by the pressure in the pipeline.

In axial sealing double-seat valves, this would result in a connection to the atmosphere, leading to a leak (see switching leakage). The connection to the atmosphere would also cause a sudden reduction in the excess pressure in the pipeline. Then the actuator spring would close the valve again.

Valves with a lower balancer are available to prevent the lower valve disc from lifting during a water hammer in the lower pipeline. With its downward-facing compensation surface, the balancer adjusts out the operating direction of the pressure and prevents movement of the lower valve disc up to a particular excess pressure.

Radial sealing double-seat valves are always equipped with this lower balancer to prevent the opening movement of the lower valve disc.

Both valve disks of the valve type MX from GEA are equipped with balancers. The valve is thus pressure-resistant in the closed valve position in both the upper and lower pipelines and enables switching when the product is enclosed.