Burkert has installed a Robolux valve system on a machine that fills asthma inhaler cartridges for a multinational pharmaceutical company. The company says the unique design of the Robolux has enabled it to reduce costs by cutting the valve requirement from eight diaphragm valves to four.
In addition, because Burkert's integrated design has only one block - compared with two for competitors - there are fewer weld connections, which reduces installation time and validation costs. The integrated design also means that internal volumes are smaller, eliminating deadlegs and maximising sterility, the company says.
The asthma inhaler project required a valve system that would reduce the internal volume and number of pipe connections on the filling and cleaning lines of the machine. It included eight aseptic diaphragm valves per machine to carry out the control of the filling and cleaning lines.
Burkert used its Type 2034 Robolux diaphragm valves mounted on a single customised stainless steel block, which was the first new application for the product in the UK. The company also offered a Type 5470 manifold block to pilot the valve block, providing a complete solution from one supplier.
Robolux valves are supplied with either manual or pneumatic actuators in sizes from 0.25-2in (DN4 -50). They are manufactured with a choice of body types: 316-L stainless steel, ultra-pure polypropylene, polypropylene USP V1 and PVDF (polyvinyl-difluoride). The company says the valves also offer the widest range of diaphragm materials to suit all types of media, including EPDM, FKM, PFA/ EPDM, PTFE, Silicone and PFR91.
Robolux valves also hold all major certifications: FDA, CE, USP V, USP VI, ATEX, 3.1 and are applicable worldwide. They are used in chromatography, but are also suitable for a wider range of applications including CIP/SIP processes, UF/MF filtration and filling and formulation.
