Superb sanitary process piping is the kind of thing that fades into the background. If you never have to think about piping, we’re doing something just right. It’s probably over there, doing its job, being cleaned the way it’s supposed ot be cleaned, and moving products as it should.
We have partnered with food manufacturers, beverage processing facilities, dairies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and everything in between. Industrial piping systems are everywhere, meaning that everyone needs them. Developing something this exceptional begins with good engineering, good fabrication, and paying heed to those details that most people never see.
Accuracy when comprising a sanitary piping system is paramount. Dead legs, sharp corners, rough welds, and poorly chosen fittings create places where product residue and other contaminants can collect. Give bacteria enough time, and they’ll find those spots long before your cleaning crew does.
It is often said that simpler is better. When it comes to sanitary piping, this is true, as well. A stellar setup will be easy to clean, reduce your business’s downtime, meet regulatory compliance, and maintain proper production rates.
The conception of your plant matters when the discussion revolves the future. We have to look at your current production processes, including steam systems, cleaning routines, process lines, product movement, and more, before we can make a good plan of next steps. A plan can look incredible on paper, and do nothing but frustrate you by not working with what you already have.
In our thought process, we also talk about CIP (Clean-In-Place). If we have the opportunity to add it now, we should certainly add it so that cleaning solutions reach every surface on the side of your equipment with no disassembly required. If that isn’t happening, that means that residue is assuredly hanging around, and that’s one of the last things we want.
The majority of tubing is made from stainless steel, usually of the grades 304 or 316, which have incredible corrosion resistance and durability. ASTM A270 sanitary tubing is also ubiquitous in the industry because that’s what it was built for.
They don’t work for everything, though. Highly corrosive chemicals may depend on alloys like AL-6XN® or Hastelloy C-22. The objective is to match the material to the product. It’s no one’s desire to pay more for pipe than they need to.
As with tubing, there are different types of fittings and connections used in sanitary settings. Tri-clamp fittings are the most prevalent, if for no other reason than they’re easy to take on and off. Inspections, maintenance, and replacements are all a breeze. Butt weld fittings are on the other side of the coin. They may be crevice-free, but they stay put. Bevel seat fittings aren’t entirely out of use, especially if the context is dairy and beverages, where they’re still commonly found.
Sanitary piping relies on GTAW/TIG welding to develop smooth internal joints that won’t snare product on its way out. Having back purging, qualified welders, and careful inspection all involved in the project management is critical, because a poor weld can cause problems that don’t materialize until months later.
If it can’t be cleaned, it shouldn’t be in your plant. It’s as cut and dry as that. What you must have are smooth interior finishes, commonly around Ra 15 microinches or better. Your products will transfer with less resistance, and your cleaning will be much less time-consuming as well as more efficient.
You know the routine of inspections and maintenance. All roads eventually lead to one or both of those, no matter which high-quality products you start with. You are better off having processes installed into your daily functioning that include both inspections and maintenance than putting it off until the last minute every time. You want to catch those little problems before they become extreme, that way you can save time, money, stress, and downtime.
The conception of your plant matters when the discussion revolves the future. We have to look at your current production processes, including steam systems, cleaning routines, process lines, product movement, and more, before we can make a good plan of next steps. A plan can look incredible on paper, and do nothing but frustrate you by not working with what you already have.
In our thought process, we also talk about CIP (Clean-In-Place). If we have the opportunity to add it now, we should certainly add it so that cleaning solutions reach every surface on the side of your equipment with no disassembly required. If that isn’t happening, that means that residue is assuredly hanging around, and that’s one of the last things we want.
If you’re strategizing a new installation, replacing older piping, or expanding your process systems, we would love to take a look.
We’ll review your current piping, materials, fittings, cleaning methods, and production goals, then help develop solutions that fit your operation instead of forcing your operation to fit the piping. That’s usually where the best projects begin.
Explain your Engineering Challenges and We’ll have a Team Member Connect!
HACCP, SQF & regulatory-aligned from day one.
We modernize old factories or design from scratch.
Nationwide sanitary welding & commissioning support.
