In recent years, diaphragm VALVES design has evolved and the process industries have seen the introduction of stainless steel, process fabrications, multiport divert and modular valve assemblies. Such technologies, when applied to the manufacture of weir-type valves, have been instrumental in reducing contact surfaces and hold-up volumes, resulting in higher product yields.

The inherent need to increase product yields, product purity levels and system productivity in pharmaceutical and bioprocessing process applications, while maintaining or reducing costs, is a major challenge that confronts project and operations personnel on a daily basis. This article will discuss current technologies available for the manufacture of weir-type diaphragm valves. It will concentrate on the various body manufacturing methods, process body fabrications, multiport valve designs and modular valve assemblies that greatly reduce contact surfaces and hold-up volumes.

Materials of construction and manufacturing methods
Weir-type diaphragm valves are currently available in a variety of materials, suitable for a range of manufacturing methods. The most common material used by industry today is 316L stainless steel, but alloys such as AL6XN and Hastelloy C-22 are also available in various formats to provide increased corrosion resistance for more aggressive process applications