Sanitary SS Welded Sight Glass for Food Pharma

Product Overview

Sanitary Sight Glass Manhole for Food Pharma is a hygienic observation device designed to monitor fluid levels, flow, and process conditions in food, beverage, and pharmaceutical equipment (e.g., tanks, pipelines, reactors). Constructed from 316L stainless steel (body) and borosilicate glass 3.3 (viewing window)—both compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 177 and EHEDG (European Hygienic Engineering & Design Group) standards—this sight glass ensures no contamination of the process fluid while providing clear visibility. The welded connection (instead of threaded) eliminates crevices where bacteria can accumulate, making it suitable for aseptic processes. It operates within a temperature range of -20°C to 150°C and a pressure range of 1–10 bar, with optional high-pressure models (up to 20 bar) for high-temperature sterilization processes (e.g., autoclaving).

Product Features

• Seamless Sanitary Welding: The sight glass body is welded directly to process equipment using TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding, achieving a smooth, crevice-free joint (Ra < 0.8 μm surface finish) that meets EHEDG Type EL Class I standards for hygienic design.

• High-Transparency Borosilicate Glass: The viewing window is made of borosilicate glass 3.3, which offers 92% light transmittance (vs. 85% for soda-lime glass) and high resistance to thermal shock (can withstand temperature changes of 150°C without cracking).

• Hygienic Sealing System: The glass is sealed with silicone rubber (for food applications) or perfluoroelastomer (FFKM) (for pharmaceutical and high-temperature applications), both of which are non-toxic, odorless, and resistant to cleaning agents (e.g., peracetic acid).

• Anti-Fog & Anti-Scratch Coating: An optional SiO₂ (silicon dioxide) coating on the glass surface prevents fogging (even in high-humidity processes) and reduces scratches, maintaining visibility for 5+ years with regular use.

• Easy Installation & Replacement: The sight glass features a compact design (standard diameter: 50–200 mm) and compatible flange connections (per DIN 11851 or ASME BPE), allowing quick installation on existing equipment. The glass window can be replaced without disassembling the entire unit, reducing downtime.

Applications

• Food Industry:

◦ Dairy Processing: Monitors milk fermentation in tanks and cream separation in pipelines, ensuring uniform texture and preventing over-fermentation.

◦ Bakery & Confectionery: Observes syrup boiling and chocolate melting processes, ensuring temperature-dependent consistency and avoiding burnt products.

• Pharmaceutical Industry:

◦ Aseptic Reactors: Allows visual inspection of drug synthesis reactions (e.g., API crystallization) without opening the reactor, maintaining sterility.

◦ Sterile Filling Lines: Monitors the flow of liquid drugs in pipelines, ensuring no air bubbles or particulates before filling into vials.

• Beverage Industry:

◦ Craft Beer Brewing: Observes wort boiling and yeast fermentation in tanks, helping brewers adjust parameters for consistent flavor.

◦ Fruit Juice Processing: Checks for pulp separation and sedimentation in storage tanks, ensuring clear juice quality before bottling.

FAQ

Q1: Is the sight glass resistant to aggressive cleaning agents used in pharma facilities?

A1: Yes. The FFKM seals and 316L stainless steel body are resistant to harsh cleaners like 2% peracetic acid, 5% hydrogen peroxide, and 10% sodium hydroxide, making them suitable for daily CIP cycles.

Q2: Can the sight glass be used in high-temperature sterilization processes (e.g., SIP)?

A2: Yes. The high-temperature model (with FFKM seals) can withstand 135°C (saturated steam) for 30 minutes (SIP cycles), complying with USP <1229> guidelines for sterilization of process equipment.

Q3: What is the maximum viewing distance for the sight glass?

A3: For standard borosilicate glass (50–100 mm diameter), clear visibility is maintained up to 2 meters; for larger diameters (150–200 mm) or coated glass, this distance extends to 3 meters.

Q4: How often should the sealing gasket be replaced?

A4: For food applications (silicone gaskets), replacement is recommended every 12 months; for pharmaceutical applications (FFKM gaskets), replacement every 18–24 months, or sooner if signs of wear (e.g., cracks, deformation) are observed.