Overview

This document provides detailed information on TK-Connections, hygienic tank connections designed for pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. These connections enable sanitary installation of clamp fittings, valves, and other equipment on tanks, ensuring compliance with hygiene standards.

Product Variants and Features

• TK-Connection: Sizes from ¾” to 4” (DN10 to DN100), with thickness options (standard, 25 mm, 38 mm, 51 mm). Manufactured per ASTM A269/270, ISO 1127, or DIN 11851. Materials include stainless steel grades 1.4404, 1.4435, and optional Hastelloy C22/C276. Compatible with standard clamp gaskets.
• TK-Conn Block Housing: Custom thickness for special tank welding to prevent warping.
• TK-Conn Angled Housing: Customized angles for orthogonal tank connections, including high-angle versions.
• TK-Cap: Machined tank cover caps (8”, 10”, 12”) customizable for pharmaceutical/biotech use.
• TK-Conn Jacket Housing: Designed for reactors with cooling/heating jackets or thermal insulation.
• TK In-Line Variants: Includes standard, angled (90°), three-way, and duplex housings with clamped or butt weld ends, compliant with relevant pipe standards.

Design and Construction

• Welding Flange: Drainable, PED directive compliant, various thicknesses, supplied with bolts.
• Locking Ring: Split into two parts for easier mounting and safety.
• Nuts: Quantity varies by size (4, 6, or 8).

The design ensures flush installation with the tank interior, eliminating dead legs and product entrapment, thus improving cleaning and sterilization efficiency (CIP/SIP).

Materials and Standards

• Primary materials: Stainless steel ASTM A479/A182 316L (grades 1.4404, 1.4435), with Hastelloy C22/C276 on request.
• Bolts and nuts: ASTM A193 B8 (304) bolts and ASTM A194 8 (304) nuts.
• Surface finish: Standard Ra <0.5 μm on product contact surfaces; other finishes available on request.
• Standards compliance: ASTM A270, SMS 3008, ISO 1127 series 1, DIN 11850, BS 4825, DIN 32676, ISO 2852, ASME BPE for clamp fittings.

Operating Conditions

• Design pressure range: -1 bar to 7 bar gauge (-14.5 psi to 101.5 psi).
• Design temperature range: -80°C to 200°C (-112°F to 392°F).

Certifications and Documentation

• Certified per PED 97/23/CE (Europe) and ASME VIII Div.2 (USA).
• Finite Element Method (FEM) calculations certified by notified bodies.
• Documentation includes PED conformity certificate, welding guidelines, and 3.1B certificates on wetted parts.
• Each unit marked with Heat Number for full traceability.

Functional Benefits

• Eliminates dead legs and product entrapment inside tanks.
• Ensures effective CIP/SIP cleaning and sterilization without air pockets.
• Flexible, fast, and easy adjustment for various equipment installations.
• Supports installation of clamped valves, sight glasses, sampling devices, manometers, and tank bottom valves.
• Customizable to specific customer requirements.

Ordering Information

• Specify product type (e.g., TK Conn, TK LINE).
• Size in inches or DN per BS, ISO-DIN, or SMS standards.
• Thickness (standard or custom: 25 mm, 38 mm, 51 mm).
• Material (standard AISI 316L - 1.4404, or 1.4435 on request).
• Surface finish (standard Ra <0.6 μm or other finishes).
• End connections (TC clamp ASME-BPE, BW butt weld OD).

Valve Design and Application

The valves are designed for complete drainability, preventing product stagnation and eliminating dead legs. Suitable for pharmaceutical, biotech, cosmetics, chemical, and food industries requiring strict hygiene.

Cleaning Efficiency

Valves feature oriented holes that produce a conical CIP spray inside tanks, reducing water and cleaning agent use by about 50% compared to traditional spray balls, enhancing cleaning efficiency and sustainability.

Installation and Positioning

Typically installed opposite the equipment to be cleaned, usually welded to tank bottoms to clean agitator blades or on sides for scrapers. Can also be mounted on vessel tops for specific needs.

Mounting Details

Standard installation uses an independent welding flange with a TKX connection and a TFM PTFE spray plate integral to the valve’s cleaning function.

Additional Product Range

The document references related sanitary and aseptic equipment such as sampling valves and bottles, spring check valves, high purity ball and butterfly valves, heat exchangers, sight glass flow indicators, clamp fittings, tank connections, silicone hoses and fittings, magnetic mixers, diaphragm valves, and washing devices.

Manufacturer Information

Manufacturer: AERRE INOX s.r.l., Via Gerola 4, I-26010 Fiesco (Cremona), Italy. Contact: Tel +39 0374 370 828, Fax +39 0374 370 833, Email [email protected], Website www.aerreinox.it.