Bray International strengthens local presence and global reach with its innovative products, Cleanroom Services and Lined Valve Center of Excellence in Houston, Texas.
By John D. Ellis – Vice President of Global Marketing – Bray International Inc.
In today’s highly competitive industrial landscape, the need for flow control solutions that offer both performance and reliability is paramount. This is particularly true in industries such as chemical processing, petrochemical, oil and gas, and semiconductor manufacturing, where the slightest valve failure can lead to catastrophic results.
Bray International, a leader in valve manufacturing and technology, has continued to stay ahead of the curve by developing cutting-edge valve technologies that meet the most stringent standards. A standout example of this innovation is Bray’s Series 2-Cx lined butterfly valves, designed to provide exceptional performance in the most demanding applications.
The Series 2-Cx represents a significant leap forward in lined valve technology. With Bray’s commitment to excellence, these valves are engineered to provide superior chemical resistance, durability, and bubble-tight sealing in corrosive environments with a Teflon liner that fully encapsulates the body, disc, and stem from line media.
This article explores the innovative design features of the Series 2-Cx, the Bray Lined Valve Center of Excellence, and the advanced manufacturing techniques that ensure their superior performance. Additionally, we will look at Bray’s cleanroom services, which further enhance the precision and quality of their valve solutions.
The Evolution of Lined Valve Technology: The Series 2-Cx
In industries where corrosive media is frequently handled, such as chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and pulp and paper, the need for robust, long-lasting valves is critical.
Bray International’s Series 2-Cx is a state-of-the-art valve designed to meet the stringent requirements of industries handling aggressive chemicals. With its latest advancements in fluoropolymer valve technology, this valve has been optimized for durability, safety, and reliability.
Fluoropolymer Valve Technology: Leading the Charge in Chemical Resistance
Central to the Series 2-Cx is the MPTFE liner, known for exceptional chemical resistance and inertness. With a minimum thickness of 3 mm, the liner and over-molded shaft-disc provide robust protection against aggressive media.
This robust design ensures a long-lasting, reliable solution for applications in chlor-alkali, pulp and paper, and pharmaceutical plants, where valves must endure continuous exposure to highly corrosive and hazardous substances.
Bubble-Tight Sealing for Leak-Free Operation
One of the standout features of the Series 2-Cx is its bubble-tight sealing technology. The MPTFE liner fully encapsulates the valve body, disc and stem, effectively isolating the internal components from the media flowing through the valve.
To enable the sealing performance, a resilient energizer is installed behind the MPTFE liner. This energizer plays a key role in ensuring a tight shut-off over the valve’s long lifecycle, compensating for any potential liner wear or deformation over time.
Innovative Stem Seal System: Preventing Line Media Escape
In applications where the slightest external process media release can result in significant safety or environmental risks, the Series 2-Cx addresses this challenge with its live-loaded stem seal system. The result is a system that not only improves safety but also minimizes the risk of contamination, making the valve suitable for industries where cleanliness and precision are non-negotiable.
Enhanced Materials for Maximum Durability
To provide even greater durability and reliability, the MPTFE liner in the Series 2-Cx are molded into tight polymer chains, creating a material structure that resists the permeation of hazardous liquids and gases. This unique molding process makes the MPTFE liner even more resistant to chemical attack, ensuring the valve can handle aggressive media for extended periods without degrading.
Safety: Protecting Operators and Equipment
The machined collar on the upper stem is pressed into a matching body shoulder during assembly, creating a secure and stable connection that maximizes operator safety during valve operation. This collar design enhances the structural integrity of the valve, ensuring that it can withstand high operational stresses without risk of failure.
Long Service Life and Reduced Maintenance Costs
The MPTFE liner, advanced stem seal system, and superior material design work together to reduce the need for frequent maintenance or replacements. This significantly lowers the total cost of ownership for operators, as the valve continues to perform reliably without the constant need for repair or parts replacements. As a result, this allows companies to minimize downtime, reduce costs, maximize operational efficiency and improve their bottom line.
Setting the Standard for Valve Performance
“Bray is by far the best valve manufacturer we have audited in a long time. Bray will be a market changer for us, and we cannot do business together fast enough.”
Designed with the chemical market in mind, this valve is built to the highest standards of quality and safety featuring advanced materials and technology to handle even the most aggressive chemicals, pressures, and temperatures.
The Series 2-Cx exemplifies Bray’s ongoing dedication to advancing valve technology and delivering top-tier solutions to its customers across the globe. It not only meets the current demands of the industry but also anticipates the challenges of the future.
Bray Lined Valve Center of Excellence
One of the cornerstones of Bray International’s commitment to delivering the highest quality products is the creation of the Bray Lined Valve Center of Excellence. Located at Bray’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Houston, Texas, the Center of Excellence serves as the hub for research, development, and the production of Bray’s revolutionary lined valve products.
The Bray Lined Valve Center of Excellence is equipped with the latest technologies, including precision molding machines, automated testing equipment, and extensive quality control processes. The result is a range of lined valves that exceed industry standards in terms of durability, chemical resistance, and overall performance.
The center also focuses heavily on product innovation. Engineers at the facility develop new materials, refine manufacturing processes, and address the evolving needs of customers in various industries. With the Bray Lined Valve Center of Excellence at the helm, Bray continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in lined valve technology.
Bray Cleanroom Services: Precision, Compliance, and Global Reach
Bray understands that industries such as aerospace, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, semiconductor manufacturing, and chemical processing demand the highest standards of cleanliness and precision. Our Cleanroom Services meets the most rigorous performance specifications as well as cleanliness and exacting standards across various sectors, whether you’re working with ultrapure water systems, industrial gases, or other sensitive applications.
A Commitment to Excellence in Cleanliness
The Cleanroom facility is ISO-Class 6 certified, representing the pinnacle of precision cleaning and inspection. Bray consistently exceeds industry standards and the facility’s impressive audit confirms it meets ISO-Class 6 requirements and operates well within ISO-Class 5 limits when the Cleanroom is at rest, ensuring even stricter contamination control.
This level of cleanliness is critical for industries where the smallest particle can disrupt processes or damage sensitive equipment. The services are also essential for industries requiring Oxygen-Ready, Ultrapure, and Silicone-Free valves, providing solutions that go beyond mere compliance to set new benchmarks in precision and reliability.
Tailored Cleaning Solutions for Every Industry
The flexibility in our services ensures that we can meet a range of cleanliness levels, from ISO Class 9 up to ISO Class 6, depending on the specific needs of the customer. Each valve undergoes meticulous cleaning and inspection, ensuring the highest standards of purity are maintained throughout the entire process.
Our global network of Cleanroom facilities ensures faster delivery and reduced logistical risks. This network allows us to deliver products in a timely manner while maintaining consistent quality across all regions.
Customer Validation: Exceeding Expectations
The success of Bray’s Cleanroom Services has been validated through positive feedback from a wide range of industries. A recent audit by a global industrial gases and engineering company praised Bray for its exceptional Cleanroom standards, with one key remark stating:
“Bray is by far the best valve manufacturer we have audited in a long time. Bray will be a market changer for us, and we cannot do business together fast enough.”
This feedback reflects the trust and confidence that customers place in Bray’s ability to deliver precision-cleaned valves that meet their exacting standards.
Experience the Bray Difference
Bray International has firmly established itself as a leader in the field of valve technology by continuously innovating and improving its product offerings.
The Series 2-Cx lined valves are an example of this innovation. It combines superior materials, advanced manufacturing techniques, and cutting-edge sealing technologies to create a valve that can perform in the most challenging environments.
With the support of the Bray Lined Valve Center of Excellence, and Cleanroom Services, Bray can provide its customers with products that are reliable, durable and designed to meet the highest standards of safety and performance.
As industries continue to evolve and face new challenges, Bray International’s commitment to research and development ensures that it will remain at the forefront of valve technology, providing the solutions necessary to meet the ever-changing demands of the market. The Series 2-Cx and the advanced manufacturing techniques that support its production are a perfect example of how Bray is shaping the future of valve technology.
We invite you to visit our Bray Lined Valve Center of Excellence or any of our strategically located facilities. Bray is your trusted partner that you can rely on.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the profiled company and do not necessarily reflect the position of Valve World Americas.