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Fluids Handling

Block-and-bleed Solutions: Gemü Multi-port Valves

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In the pharmaceutical, food, and biotechnology industries, GEMÜ multi-port valves are essential for integrating diverse process requirements and functions within compact spaces. GEMÜ’s block-and-bleed solutions significantly enhance process reliability and safety during maintenance and calibration, as well as prevent cross-contamination by reducing dead-legs.

Depending on the application, various configurations are available for shutting off (block) and draining or venting (bleed), with each differing in construction. This eliminates the need for complex piping systems. With minimal welds, not only are leak paths reduced, but weight and installation time are also significantly decreased.

The different design versions of the block-and-bleed functions can be categorized into the following groups:

  1. Simple block-and-bleed valves

In the simplest form, block-and-bleed valves have two valve seats and are used to safely remove in-line measurement devices for maintenance or calibration. An additional valve provides necessary pressure compensation and is positioned separately in the piping.

  • Double block-and-bleed valves

Double block-and-bleed valves with three integrated seats are used for critical processes, ensuring reliable separation of media. This setup creates a redundant barrier between incompatible media. This method of double shut-off is also described as a measure to avoid cross contamination of product streams and potential risks to personnel working downstream.

  • ‘Sterile cross' valves (steam barrier)

Compared to double block-and-bleed valves, multi-port valve blocks used as a “sterile cross” have an additional valve seat and connection, totalling four seats and connections. This design creates a permanent moisture barrier between the closed seats, preventing media contamination.

  • Complex block-and-bleed valves

Multi-port valves can be customized to meet specific process requirements, with the design and number of connections and valve seats varying based on the media to be combined. For example, “crossover cleaning” uses two double block-and-bleed functions to prevent product contamination during CIP cleaning. This can be achieved with three separate multi-port valves or a complex multi-port valve block.

For more in depth information on the block-and-bleed function groups, please see on below page 10:

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GEMU Valves Ltd

About us

GEMÜ is a world leading manufacturer of valves, measurement and control systems for liquids, vapours and gases, especially when it comes to solutions for sterile applications. The GEMÜ Group currently employs over 1900 members of staff worldwide.

Manufacturing is carried out at six manufacturing sites across Germany, Switzerland, China, Brazil, France and the USA. The Group is active on all five continents with 27 subsidiaries and has a large distributor network in more than 50 countries

With the increasing requirements for process engineering, we offer a wide range of products providing solutions for a broad spectrum of customer groups, such as:

Specialising in all of the processes involved in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, cosmetics, food and beverage industries. Application brochure: Solutions for the pharmaceutical, foodstuffs and biotechnology industries.

Specialising in industrial water treatment, chemicals, processing industry, surface finishing, power generation and environmental engineering. Application brochure: Solutions for industrial applications.

Focusing on valves for the production of semiconductors and microchips, photovoltaic systems and batteries, and ultra-high-purity chemicals. Application brochure: Solutions for microelectronics, semiconductors and battery production.

  • Service

Training courses for service and maintenance personnel, repair services and the commissioning of GEMÜ products directly at the customer's site.

 

GEMÜ GB is based in Warrington providing product sales and technical support. Our product quality, application knowledge and broad range of services, make us a market leader in our field within the UK.

 

GO GREEN & PAPERLESS!
New PDF product catalogues are available for download.
Click on the links below to download the new product catalogues. We recommend you open the links for download using Google Chrome browser.

Product Catalogue for the Pharmaceutical, Foodstuff and Biotechnology Industries
Product Catalogue for Industrial Applications
Product Catalogue for Semiconductor Production

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Where we supply to

UK Ireland

Industries we supply to

Chemicals, Food and Beverage, Pharmaceutical Cosmetics Toiletries, Water and Wastewater

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