1. Preparation before installation

• Cleaning and disinfection：
  Before installation, the valve and pipeline system need to be cleaned and disinfected to ensure that there is no grease, particulate matter, or microbial residue. It is recommended to use cleaning agents that meet industry standards (such as food grade acid-base cleaning agents) or high-temperature steam sterilization.

• Check the sealing performance：
  Confirm that the valve body and seals (such as PTFE or EPDM gaskets) are not damaged, and that there is no deformation at the flange or clamp connection to avoid leakage after installation.

• Direction verification：
  Pay attention to the flow direction markings of the medium (if any), and ensure that the valve is installed in the correct direction (if a one-way valve needs to be installed strictly in the direction of the arrow).

2. Operating standards

• Opening and closing operation：

• When operating manually, the handle should be slowly rotated (usually 90 ° fully open/fully closed) to avoid sudden excessive force that may cause wear on the tight cover or deformation of the valve stem.

• Pneumatic/electric valves require adjustment of the actuator torque to prevent overload damage to the valve.

• Prohibit overpressure use：
  The working pressure of the valve should be ≤ the rated pressure (usually marked on the valve body) to avoid valve body rupture or seal failure caused by overpressure.

• Medium adaptability：
  Ensure that the valve material (such as 316L stainless steel, PTFE seal) is compatible with the medium, and avoid corrosion from strong acids, strong alkalis, or high-temperature media (such as excessive chloride ions that can easily cause stainless steel pitting).

3. Maintenance and upkeep

• regular inspection：

• Check the sealing performance monthly by conducting pressure tests or visual inspections for any leaks.

• Check whether the valve stem and handle are flexible and free of jamming (food grade lubricating grease can be added regularly).

• Cleaning cycle：
  Develop a cleaning plan based on process requirements (such as CIP/SIP cleaning), especially for media such as dairy products and fermentation broth that are prone to bacterial growth and require immediate cleaning.

• Spare parts replacement：
  It is recommended to replace vulnerable parts such as sealing rings and valve seats every 1-2 years or according to wear and tear to avoid sudden failure.

4. Special environmental precautions

• Aseptic environment：
  When used in GMP workshops, valves must meet sterile design requirements (such as polished Ra ≤ 0.8 μ m), and disassembly and maintenance must be carried out in a clean area.

• Low/high temperature operating conditions：

• Low temperature media (such as liquid nitrogen) require the use of cryogenic treatment valves to prevent material embrittlement.

• When sterilizing with high-temperature steam, it is necessary to confirm the temperature resistance level of the valve (such as PTFE seal temperature resistance ≤ 150 ℃).

5. Safety Warning

• Prohibited from doing operations：
  Some sanitary grade ball valves require medium lubrication, and long-term idling may cause dry friction damage to the sealing surface.

• emergency response：
  If the valve leaks, immediately shut down and isolate the pipeline to avoid contaminating the product or environment.

6. Selection and Storage

• Correct selection：
  Select valve types (such as three piece, quick install), connection methods (Tri Clamp, DIN standards), and certifications (such as FDA, EHEDG) based on process requirements.

• Storage conditions：
  When the valve is not in use, it should be kept dry and ventilated, and the sealing surface should be protected (such as covered with a protective sleeve) to avoid collision.