Maximizing Precision & Flow Control While Reducing Heat Buildup in Chemical Analysis Systems

Rachel Desenberg — Fri, 21 Mar 2025 19:00:50 +0000

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Imagine you’re designing an advanced chemical analysis system for a high-tech research lab. Your goal is to create a system that provides precise control over reagent flow, minimizes waste, ensures consistent performance, and guarantees high reliability throughout the process. This type of application demands a valve solution capable of precise mixing and controlling of reagents, while operating efficiently over extended periods without introducing variables that could compromise result accuracy.

After analyzing the demands of your application, you start evaluating your options. You need valves that can handle both gradient mixing and diverting applications, where accuracy in flow control is absolutely critical. They must also be able to withstand aggressive fluids, as your research involves a range of chemicals that could be corrosive or volatile. In addition, you want a valve that offers high cycle life, fast response time, and minimal dead volume to ensure consistency over time.

This is where �ǳ�web’s NIV Gradient Mixing Valve comes into play. The NIV series is designed with a unique, multifunctional diaphragm/poppet that serves as both a sealing membrane and a support for the poppet. This results in fewer moving parts, reduced dead volume, and longer valve life—all essential for high-precision applications. Given the complexity of your needs, you need something that won’t introduce unnecessary components or cause reagent loss, which is why the minimal dead volume of the NIV Gradient Valve is a major selling point. It ensures accurate mixing, minimizes waste, and enhances the efficiency of your experiments.

Energy efficiency is also a critically important consideration for your system’s long-term operation. Since your system will be running continuously, you want to avoid excessive heat buildup, which could compromise both your research and the longevity of your equipment. Even a minuscule amount of heat buildup can affect the stability of the sensitive reagents you're working with, potentially altering their properties and undermining the reliability of your results.

Since �ǳ�web’s isolation valves are designed with these concerns in mind, a Hit & Hold circuit is available as a standard option. This feature energizes the valve to full power for a brief moment, providing the necessary strength for precise operation, and then reduces the current to a lower, optimized level. This reduces the heat generated during continuous use, while still maintaining the exact control needed for your gradient mixing and reagent dispensing.

The Hit & Hold feature seamlessly integrates with the NIV Gradient Mixing Valve to optimize performance. It allows you to optimize both the energy consumption and thermal performance of your system without sacrificing precision or reliability. With reduced heat generation and lower power draw, your system can run efficiently over long periods, keeping your reagents at stable temperatures and preventing unwanted fluctuations in your results.

If your application requires precise flow control, minimal reagent waste, durability, and efficiency, �ǳ�web’s NIV Gradient Mixing Valve with the Hit & Hold option is a reliable, high-performance solution. This combination addresses the critical challenges of this type of application, creating a reliable and long-lasting chemical analysis system. It ensures that your system will maintain peak performance over time, all while keeping power consumption low, reducing heat buildup, and extending the life of your valves.

Ready to learn more? Contact us today to discuss your specific application, or click here to locate your nearest �ǳ�web distributor.

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NIV Series PTFE Isolation Valves with Hit & Hold Circuit	PIV Series PEEK Isolation Valves with Hit & Hold Circuit	NIV Series Gradient Valves with Hit & Hold Circuit	NPV Series Pinch Valves with Hit & Hold Circuit

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Gradient Valves: A Versatile Solution for Fluid Mixing & Dispensing

Rachel Desenberg — Tue, 26 Jul 2022 18:15:34 +0000

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Product Information

In fluid control systems, precision and reliability are essential. Gradient valves, also referred to as mixing valves or multi-stream vavles, are specialized devices designed to efficiently combine or divert multiple fluid streams. These valves offer a versatile solution for a broad range of medical, analytical, and industrial applications. This article outlines the function, design, and uses of gradient valves, with a particular focus on their role in mixing, stream splitting, and fluid dispensing systems.

What Is a Gradient Valve?

A gradient valve, or multi-stream valve is an advanced form of a mixing valve, designed to manage multiple fluid streams—either by combining them into a single flow or by diverting them to separate outputs. Unlike traditional valves that handle a single fluid stream, gradient valves allow for more complex fluid manipulation, making them ideal for applications that require precision mixing or fluid distribution.

Gradient valves are essentially a combination of multiple isolation valves, such as �ǳ�web’s NIV series. By integrating these valves into a single manifold, gradient valves can efficiently mix various solutions into one output or distribute a single inlet to multiple outputs. This combination simplifies the design and operation of fluid handling systems, improving both performance and reliability while reducing system complexity.

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Design Variants: Selecting vs. Diverting Applications

Gradient valves are versatile in terms of design, with the ability to support both selecting and diverting applications. In a selecting application, the gradient valve is designed to combine multiple independent inlets into a single common outlet. This configuration is ideal for processes that require the mixing of various fluids into a unified stream. For instance, in chemical mixing or reagent blending systems, the gradient valve can accurately blend different substances to achieve the desired concentration or chemical composition. Diverting applications use a single common inlet and multiple independent outlets. This design is commonly used for stream splitting, where a single source is distributed to multiple destinations. This feature is invaluable in automated applications where one fluid source needs to be directed to several systems or stages of a process.

Types	Design	Common Uses	Examples
Selecting Application	Multiple independent inlets combined into one common outlet	Processes that require mixing of various fluids into a unified stream	Chemical mixing or reagent blending systems
Diverting Application	Single common inlet with multiple independent outlets	Stream splitting where a single source is distributed to multiple destinations	Automated processes where one fluid source needs to be directed to several systems or stages of a process

Applications of Gradient Valves

Gradient valves are crucial in a variety of industries, particularly those dealing with fluid control, chemical processing, pharmaceuticals, and automation systems. Some common applications include:

Solvent Selection

Gradient valves can mix different solvents to achieve precise concentrations, ensuring optimal performance in sensitive industrial processes

Stream Splitting

In systems where fluid needs to be split across multiple channels for different processing stages, gradient valves provide a streamlined solution

Flushing Systems

Gradient valves allow for the controlled introduction of cleaning fluids in systems that require periodic flushing to maintain optimal performance

Automated Fluid Handling

Gradient valves enable automated processes by combining and dispensing fluids according to predefined requirements, improving efficiency and reducing human error

Key Features of Gradient Valves

�ǳ�web gradient valves consist of multiple solenoid-operated �ǳ�web NIV series media isolation valves integrated within a single manifold. Each NIV valve features a unique flexible diaphragm that isolates the actuation mechanism from the fluid path, ensuring precise control over fluid flows without contamination. This design protects sensitive components from harsh media while enhancing the valve’s durability and longevity.

These gradient valves are particularly well-suited for industries handling aggressive or corrosive fluids. The fluid paths are made entirely of PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene), a material known for its exceptional chemical resistance, thermal stability, and low friction properties. This ensures �ǳ�web gradient valves can withstand chemical reactions and handle a wide range of fluid types without compromising the integrity of the valve or system.

�ǳ�web gradient valves are available in various sizes and configurations to meet the needs of different applications. Orifice sizes range from 1/32 to 0.156", enabling precise flow control. Additionally, these valves offer a range of power consumption options from 1 Watt to 7.2 Watts, allowing engineers to select the optimal valve based on their system’s flow and power requirements.

Benefits of Gradient Valves

Gradient valves, particularly those incorporating �ǳ�web’s NIV series, offer several key advantages:

Space Efficiency

Integrating multiple valves into a single manifold significantly reduces the space required for installation, which is especially beneficial in applications with limited space or when a high density of components is needed

Reduced Leak Points

By consolidating multiple valve functions into one unit, gradient valves minimize the number of connections and potential leak points, improving the safety and reliability of the system

Simplicity

Instead of dealing with multiple individual valves, engineers can use a single gradient valve to achieve multiple functions. This simplifies maintenance, reduces system complexity, and enhances operational efficiency

Durability

�ǳ�web’s NIV series valves are designed for long-lasting performance, with features like a one-piece valve stem that centralizes the poppet and seals the diaphragm, resulting in fewer parts, reduced dead volume, and improved valve life

Gradient valves are essential components in fluid control systems that require the handling, mixing, or diverting of multiple fluid streams. Their ability to manage complex fluid routing tasks with precision makes them invaluable across a wide range of applications, particularly those involving corrosive, sensitive, or aggressive media. �ǳ�web’s gradient valves, which integrate multiple NIV series media isolation valves into a single manifold, offer unique advantages such as increased durability, space efficiency, and reduced leak points.

Whether used for solvent selection, stream splitting, or automated fluid handling, multi-stream mixing valves provide engineers with a reliable and efficient solution for optimizing fluid control systems. The integration of �ǳ�web’s NIV series ensures long-lasting performance, making these gradient valves an ideal choice for applications where precision, reliability, and chemical compatibility are critical.

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Gradient Mixing Valves	Media Isolation Valves