Today’s
specialty gas cylinder valves typically offer a higher level of purity, are
constructed with unique materials, and meet specific flow, quality, and other
special requirements.
Those characteristics evolved over a period of time in response to the demands
presented by unique gas applications. Mixtures and rare gases developed for
various industries required new designs in valves and valve manufacture.
Industries demanding specialty gas valves included: chemical, pharmaceutical,
laboratory, and electronic or semiconductor processing.
Valves match niche
market needs
In addition, there are niche
markets that require special combinations of cylinder inlets, outlets, pressure
relief devices (PRDs) and custom materials to fit specific applications. In the
specialty gas market, the commitment to high-end valve technology, design and
modern manufacturing techniques requires a company-wide commitment.
Applications have demanded differentiation in the type of valve used for each industry.
Historically, applications have demanded differentiation in the type of valve
used for each industry with the following as key constraints included in the
solution: corrosion resistance, leak rate integrity, and particulate
generation. Design engineering teams respond to those constraints by selecting a valve that
can meet those requirements. They typically choose from packed, diaphragm or
tied diaphragm configurations.
Hazardous gas
applications
Manual valves are common
with pneumatic operated options specifically for high-integrity hazardous gas
applications. Many are constructed of 316L low sulfur stainless steel, some
with internal electro-polishing to achieve surface finish of 10 Ra. These valves
will also typically include a unitized pressure relief device or “safety’” that
consists of a fuse-metal backed or unbacked rupture disc. Designed with reduced
internal volume and superb leak tightness these valves meet the strict
parameters of hazardous gas applications.
Packaged Solutions
New applications are
emerging in today’s specialty valve market. Customers are increasingly seeking
“packaged solutions” that include the usual requirements of materials
compatibility, minimized gas-wetted areas, as well as new innovative solutions
in form, fit and function.
Today’s customers are concerned with specialized filling, transportation and
point-of-use for the gas
New packed valve with improved stress corrosion cracking resistance.
with product differentiation. Unique customization of
the product delivery system is required to meet the specific qualifications of
today’s’ specialty valve user. Sherwood Valve, LLC. offers specialty gas
customers the advantage of being first-to-market for new products.The process of matching a valve to a specific application typically begins with
a conversation between the technical groups of the customer and the valve
designer/manufacturer. The teams not only have to consider customer
requirements, but federal and international regulations as well.
Sherwood Valve, LLC, for example, works in this way with expert teams from
multi-national specialty pharmaceutical and medical application firms to
develop pharmaceutical, therapeutic, and medical delivery devices.
Sherwood’s approach
Diameter-Index Safety System (DISS) Stainless Steel Valve.
Sherwood’s focus has
been to provide safe and effective specialty valve products focused on value
added applications. These efforts include confidentiality agreements,
cross-company team design, and long term commitments that include the following
mission statements:
- Protect end-user safety.
- Maintain high-quality standards and comply with
regulatory guidelines.
- Be an active partner in the delivery of
specialty gases and related products.
- Develop technologies that fulfill the needs of
chemical, pharmaceutical, medical, and laboratory gas delivery systems.
- Explore future applications for other
specialized valves in unique applications.
Products and services
Sherwood engineering for specialty cylinder applications has resulted in
advanced device interface solutions. Our engineers now look at the entire
package requirements including down stream gas flows and mating device
manufacturer requirements. We offer engineering services as a part of our
overall gas delivery analysis and application solution approach. Specialty gas
valve engineers are available as part of the customer’s team for designing,
developing, and delivering a wide range of gases and gas mixtures.
We make them
Specialty Gas valves are
manufactured at Sherwood’s Washington, PA facility and supplied to customers
throughout the United States and the world. Sherwood provides continuing
support for design, prototyping, development, and continuous supply. SGR
All pictures provided courtesy of Sherwood Valve
Read Part 1: The spec valve difference: high performance for custom applications, by Ceodeux’s William Hald
Quality is essential for specialty gas valves.
Mr.
Devitt joined the specialty gas industry in 1989. He has directed the
sales, marketing and distribution for major industrial, medical and specialty
gas distributors in the areas of specialty gas and equipment. Mr. Devitt
has held management positions at Valley National Gases and Matheson Tri-Gas and
joined Sherwood Valve as Product Manager, Compressed, Life Support &
Specialty Gas in 2006. MDevitt@SherwoodValve.com
