NanoValve® RNS Homo Valve Family

GEA Niro Soavi homogenizing valves are designed and sized to obtain the requested grade of micronization, rupture or dispersion in relation with the processed product and the applied pressure.

The homogenizing valve geometry for Very High Pressure (VHP) applications is extremely important to achieve the desired performances, as a result of the product passage in high speed and turbulent flow conditions across the valve from the high pressure inner boundary to the low pressure external boundary of the effective area.

Homogenizing Valve

The geometry of the homogenizing valve is defined by the Inner Diameter (ID), known also as effective diameter, and by the Outside Diameter (OD); the radial distance between these two circumferences is known as travel distance "t" and is characterizing the type of valve and its performances.

GEA Niro Soavi has developed the NanoValve® RNS homogenizing valve family for Very High Pressure applications based on the unique NanoValve® technology, for cells rupture and emulsions micronization.

Special high wear resistance materials have been selected to perform according to the application, product characteristics and working pressure. Laboratory trials for cells rupture (e.g. Saccaromices Cerevisiae, E. Coli) have demonstrated that homogenizing valves with a so called "sharp edge" or "knife edge" profile, with a small radial travel distance "t" in relation with the valve size and flow range, can obtain a more efficient cells rupture in one single passage.

Specific and more detailed data are available from our R&D Technology Center.

NanoValve® RNS are available in two dimensional families; the valve size is selected according to the machine flow rate:

• 11,9/30 HP (RNS 2) up to 1500 l/h
• 15/35 HP (RNS 3) up to 5000 l/h

Valve Geometries and Applications

Each NanoValve® RNS valve family is available with two different profiles:

• R type (RUPTURE), with "sharp edge" or "knife edge" profile, for maximized rupture and micronization effect
• S type (STANDARD), with "flat" profile, for general purpose applications where the peak performance is not required; it is recommended for highly abrasive products and allows longer operational lifetime

Materials

NanoValve® RNS homogenizing valves are available in different materials suitable for a wide range of applications and processed products:

• Sintered TUNGSTEN CARBIDE: it's a special corrosion resistant Nickel based alloy, which combines excellent mechanical properties (fracture toughness) and hardness (up to 1370 HV), recommended for general purpose applications and especially for S (STANDARD) type profile; the material is FDA approved.
• Solid SILICON NITRIDE ceramics, extremely hard (up to 1600 ÷ 1800 HV) for high wear resistance and tough against pressure spikes or fluctuation; the material is based on stabilized and isostatically pressed Si3N4 crystals, typical colour is dark grey or light grey depending on compounds. Recommended for R (RUPTURE) type profile and high wear conditions.
• Solid ZIRCONIA OXIDE ceramics, based on stabilized and isostatically pressed ZrO2 crystals, combines good mechanical properties against chipping and fracture with medium - high hardness (up to 1300 HV) and excellent thermal shock resistance; the material has FDA approval and is recommended for R (RUPTURE) and S (STANDARD) type profile for pharmaceutical applications with steam sterilization (SIP); typical colour is pearl white FDA approved.

A complete set composed of impact head, passage head and impact ring is fully interchangeable with another one made of different material, as the total height of the stack and external diameters are the same.

Air pressure required to operate an S (STANDARD) type homogenizing valve is lower than what is needed for R (RUPTURE) type valve, at same working pressure and flow conditions.