Inline Equipment
VARINLINE® Pocket-free Instruments
In the current process technology, fixed piping systems lead to permanently closed systems within the single plants which do not allow the operator to have a direct view into the production process. By equipping the pipelines with VARINLINE® housings, control and measurement instruments can be installed within the piping systems to monitor the production process.
Function of VARINLINE® components
VARINLINE® process connections are attached to the VARINLINE® housings. Multiple suppliers of measuring instruments offer their components with a matching connection fitting. This ensures an easy, quick and hygienic adaption of multiple instruments to our VARINLINE® housing.
Applications
The VARINLINE® system is established in all hygienically designed parts of processing plants. VARINLINE® housings enable the installation of measurement instruments without any dead spaces and thus allow the use of measurement instruments in plants with highest hygienic demands.
The VARINLINE® system ensures a proper monitoring of the process parameters such as pressure, temperature or the flow. An optimization of processes through measurement instruments may lead to the reduction of product losses, e.g. through finding the ideal switch points during push-outs by sensing the color, the turbidity or conductivity of the product.
The level sensor is used as a medium sensing instrument to protect pumps or to control the filling process of tanks.
Additionally the In-Line sprayer type IS25 can be attached to the VARINLINE® process connections. The retracting sprayer can be used to clean vessels or the pipeline.
For the connection of measurement and control instruments to tanks, VARINLINE® process and tank connections are available, which can be directly welded into the tank wall, the cone or the torospherical head.
VARINLINE® Housings
The adaption part, which is the VARINLINE® housing represents the core component within the pocket-free in-line control and measurement system within piping systems.
Defined by the nominal size of the housings as well as by the towering dimension of the attached instruments, up to two instruments can be attached to one VARINLINE® housing.
Only the smaller nominal sizes like DN10 and DN15, as well as ISO 13,5 to ISO 21,3 offer only one instrument to be attached.
To modulate the housings according to different sizes of the tubings, four different sizes of process connections are offered within the range of our VARINLINE® system.
Pipe Classes
VARINLINE® housing are generally offered with weld ends, as an option different welded-on pipe unions can be delivered.
The nominal sizes of the weld ends are in accordance with the following norms:
- Metric: Outside diameter acc. to DIN 11850, series II; DIN 11866, series A
- Inch OD: Outside diameter based on ASME-BPE-a-2004, DIN 11866, series C
- Inch IPS: Outside diameter acc. to IPS Sch. 5
- ISO: Outside diameter acc. to DIN EN ISO 1127
Surfaces
The standard for surfaces in contact with the product depends on the particular nominal width standard:
- Metric, Inch OD, ISO: Ra ≤ 0.8 μm
- Inch IPS: Ra ≤ 1.2 μm
Higher-quality surfaces are an available option. Surfaces not in contact with the product (housing) are matte blasted as standard. Alternatively, a ground outer surface is available.
Tank Connections
VARINLINE® Tank Connections
Fittings & Flanges
Tank Connections, Type T and T-S
Flange T
The tank connections type T and T-S serve as a pocket-free adaption of control and measurement instruments like manometers or sight glasses. These connections are welded flush into tank walls, the cone or the torospherical heads.
The tank connection type T is suitable to be welded into tank walls up to a wall thickness of 8mm.
The tank connection type T-S can be properly adjusted to the roundness of the tank due to its cylindrical shape and can therefore be welded into tanks with small diameters (≤ 1,6 m).
To ensure a tension free installation of the tank flange, a welding tool is available (for sale as well as for loaning) which allows an easy and secure installation of the flange. During welding the instructions of the welding instructions need to be followed.
Tank Connection, Type P
The tank connection type P serves as a pocket-free adaption of control and measurement instruments. The connections are welded flush into tank walls.
The tank connection P is suitable to be welded into tanks with a wall thickness up of 20mm.
The tank connection is equipped with pressure releasing clamps, as well as with a pressure releasing borehole which allow a controlled release of the tank pressure before service operations at the tank.
To ensure a tension free installation of the tank flange, a welding tool is available (for sale as well as for loaning) which allows an easy and secure installation of the flange. During welding the instructions of the welding instructions need to be followed.
Tank Connections, Type U and U-S
Flange U
The tank connection type U serves as a pocket-free adaption of control and measurement instruments like VARINLINE® temperature sensors or level electrodes. These connections are welded flush into tank walls, the cone or the torispherical heads.
The housing connection type U-S enables the vertical and pocket-free adaption of a control and measurement instrument. Due to the cylindrical shape it can be ideally adjusted to the inclination of the cone or torospherical heads as well as to insulated tank walls and therefore offers a good solution also for outside installations within the tank bottom.
To ensure a tension free installation of the tank flange, a welding tool is available (for sale as well as for loaning) which allows an easy and secure installation of the flange. During welding the instructions of the welding instructions need to be followed.
Downloads
Related Products
VARINLINE® Pressure Gauges TPIA
Due to its special structural shape, the instrument can be used for the measurement of excess and vacuum pressures.
VARINLINE® Thermometer
The gas expansion thermometer is characterized by its robust design and the ideal, fully welded installation within the VARINLINE® process connections.
VARINLINE® Sight Glass TXIA
Sight glasses inserted into the VARINLINE® access unit or into a housing connection flange (for vessels and tanks) are used for visual monitoring of the product.
VARINLINE® Level Probe TNS
In connection with a standard evaluation unit, the conductive electrode is mainly used for level detection in tanks.
GEA Insights
Blueprint for better: How GEA rebuilt itself
Since 2019, GEA has risen from underperformer to DAX member – one of Germany's top 40 listed companies – by fostering entrepreneurship and turning sustainability into a competitive advantage. It reached this milestone in its nearly 145-year history without tailwinds or shortcuts, in a world of compounding crises. This turnaround shows what's possible when purpose and performance align.
Video: GEA's 2025 year in review
This year was a big one for GEA. Can you remember all the milestones and highlights?
Touching lives, lifting communities
The GEA Foundation launched this year with a promise: to make a tangible difference in people's lives. From scholarships in Germany to clean water in Tanzania, the foundation is already proving that when companies commit to giving back, lives change.
