AxFlow UK supplies APV hygienic single seat valves for reliable shut-off, change-over, tank outlet and flow-control duties in food, dairy, beverage, brewing, pharmaceutical and personal-care processing.
The APV range includes versatile SW4 hygienic single seat valves, compact SWmini4 valves, specialist aseptic single seat valves and regulating-valve configurations for automated process systems.
As APV's exclusive UK distributor, AxFlow can help select the correct valve around your product, pipe size, pressure, temperature, CIP requirements, valve function and automation needs.
What is a single seat valve?
A single seat valve is a hygienic process valve that uses one primary sealing seat to shut off or redirect product flow.
Single seat valves are widely used where reliable process isolation is required but the additional separation provided by a mixproof valve is unnecessary.
Typical duties include:
- Product shut-off
- Flow diversion
- Tank outlet
- CIP routing
- Ingredient transfer
- Process-water systems
- Hygienic utilities
How does a hygienic single seat valve work?
A valve plug or cone moves vertically onto or away from a single valve seat.
When the valve closes, the sealing element contacts the seat and stops product flow.
When actuated open, the valve element lifts away from the seat and allows product through the valve body.
APV single seat valves can be manually or pneumatically operated and can be integrated with valve-position monitoring and automated process-control systems.
Which APV single seat valve should I choose?
| Requirement | APV valve to consider |
|---|---|
| General hygienic shut-off | SW4 |
| Product diversion | SW4 / SWS4 |
| Hygienic tank outlet | SWT4 |
| Compact small-line installation | SWmini4 |
| Higher-pressure duty | SWhp4 |
| Aseptic processing | MS4 / MSP4 |
| Diaphragm-based aseptic isolation | AP1 |
| Flow regulation | RGE4 / regulating valve |
he final selection should consider the process duty rather than pipe size alone.
When should you use a single seat valve?
A single seat valve is a strong choice where:
Simple hygienic isolation is required
For straightforward on/off product control, it provides a simpler solution than a double-seat mixproof valve.
Product must be diverted between process routes
Change-over configurations can redirect flow between lines or pieces of equipment.
CIP cleaning is required
Hygienic APV designs are intended to support cleanable process systems.
Automated operation is needed
Pneumatic actuators and valve-control units allow single seat valves to form part of automated process and CIP sequences.
When should you NOT use a single seat valve?
A different valve technology may be more appropriate when:
Safe separation of two incompatible fluids is required
Use an appropriate mixproof valve where product/product or product/CIP separation requires two independent sealing barriers.
Only simple low-cost isolation is needed
A hygienic butterfly valve may provide a lighter and more economical solution.
Validated aseptic separation is required
Use an appropriate dedicated aseptic valve rather than assuming a standard hygienic valve is sufficient.
Continuous flow regulation is required
Use a dedicated regulating or control-valve configuration.
