Pressure monitoring plays an important role in maintaining stable production conditions across food and beverage manufacturing. From ingredient storage and liquid transfer to mixing, filtration, and filling, pressure readings help operators monitor equipment performance and identify changes in the process. However, instruments installed in product-contact areas must meet more than measurement requirements. Their materials, connection structures, and cleanability also need to fit the hygiene standards of the production environment.
Conventional industrial pressure transmitters may contain recessed pressure ports, narrow passages, or exposed connection areas where product residues can collect. These features can make cleaning more difficult, particularly when processing viscous liquids or products that leave deposits on equipment surfaces.
A flat diaphragm structure offers an alternative for applications where minimizing residue-retaining spaces is important. The Hygienic Pressure Transmitter uses an integrated stainless steel construction and a cavity-free measuring interface to support pressure monitoring in food, beverage, and other hygiene-sensitive processing environments.
1. Why Hygienic Design Is Important for Pressure Instruments
Food and beverage production involves frequent contact between process equipment and materials intended for consumption. Milk, juice, syrup, sauces, brewing ingredients, and other liquids may pass through pipelines, tanks, pumps, and filtration systems. Pressure transmitters installed along these routes must be compatible with the product and the facility's cleaning procedures.
Hygienic equipment design focuses on reducing areas where residues, moisture, or microorganisms may accumulate. Relevant considerations include:
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Smooth and accessible product-contact surfaces
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Appropriate materials for the process medium
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Connections that can be cleaned and inspected effectively
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Reduced dead spaces and difficult-to-access cavities
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Compatibility with cleaning-in-place (CIP) procedures
Guidelines such as those published by 3-A Sanitary Standards and EHEDG provide useful references for hygienic equipment design. They address factors including surface conditions, material selection, cleanability, and drainage.
It is important to distinguish between hygienic design features and formal compliance. A stainless steel housing or flat diaphragm may support hygienic construction, but these features alone do not establish 3-A or EHEDG certification. Buyers should verify the actual certificates, material records, surface specifications, and validation documents required by their facility.
2. How a Flat Diaphragm Helps Reduce Residue Accumulation
The pressure-sensing interface is a critical part of a hygienic transmitter. Some conventional pressure connections use recessed openings or narrow internal passages. When the process medium is sticky, viscous, or prone to crystallization, these areas may become difficult to clean and could eventually affect measurement reliability.
A flat diaphragm places the sensing surface directly at the process interface. Rather than allowing the medium to enter a narrow pressure port, the diaphragm responds to the pressure applied by the process fluid.
The TS110-AP flat diaphragm design uses an integrated stainless steel structure without the conventional cavity around the measuring interface. This arrangement is intended to reduce potential residue-retaining spaces and lower the risk of material buildup, adhesion, or blockage.
Such a configuration can be considered for production lines handling:
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Milk and dairy products
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Syrups and sugar-based liquids
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Sauces and viscous food ingredients
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Beverage concentrates
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Other liquids that may adhere to recessed surfaces
The exposed diaphragm surface can also make visual inspection more straightforward. Maintenance personnel can check the process-contact area for deposits and assess whether the existing cleaning procedure is adequate.
Nevertheless, hygienic performance depends on the complete installation. The transmitter's process connection, gasket, pipeline arrangement, and mounting orientation all influence cleanability. A suitable diaphragm should therefore be evaluated as part of the assembled measuring point.
3. Pressure Monitoring in Beverage Production Lines
A beverage manufacturing line provides a useful example of where hygienic pressure measurement may be required.
Liquid ingredients are often transferred from storage tanks to preparation vessels, then through mixing, filtration, and filling equipment. Pressure transmitters can be installed at selected points to monitor transfer conditions and help operators identify abnormal changes.
At a storage tank outlet, pressure readings can provide information about the liquid transfer process. Around a mixing vessel, pressure monitoring can help operators observe changes associated with pumping and process resistance. Before and after a filtration unit, comparing pressure readings may help identify developing filter restrictions when considered alongside flow rate and other operating data.
The measuring instrument must be compatible with both the product and the cleaning process. For example, liquids containing concentrated sugar or flavoring ingredients may leave deposits on surfaces. A flush diaphragm can help reduce the spaces in which such materials might collect.
The TS110-AP supports several connection configurations, including clamp-type options such as ISO 1S, 1.5S, and 2S, as well as M20×1.5 and customized pressure connections. Clamp connections are widely used in hygienic pipeline systems because they allow components to be removed for inspection and maintenance.
The correct connection size, gasket material, and assembly method should be selected according to the existing pipeline design. A connection that is mechanically compatible is not automatically hygienic; its geometry and cleanability also need to be assessed.
4. Selecting Wetted Materials and Process Connections
Material compatibility is essential when pressure instruments come into contact with food ingredients or cleaning agents. The TS110-AP specifies 316L stainless steel-compatible gases and liquids as its measured media.
316L stainless steel is widely used in food and beverage processing equipment because of its corrosion resistance and suitability for many common process environments. However, it should not be assumed to withstand every chemical formulation or operating condition.
Acidic ingredients, concentrated salt solutions, cleaning chemicals, and elevated temperatures may affect material performance. Buyers should review the chemical composition of the process medium and the expected exposure conditions before selecting the wetted materials.
Connection design also deserves attention. Clamp connections are common in hygienic pipeline installations, while M20×1.5 or customized connections may be required by particular equipment configurations. The selected interface should match the existing system and avoid unnecessary gaps or inaccessible areas.
For viscous or crystallizing liquids, a flush diaphragm can be preferable to a conventional recessed pressure port because it reduces the potential for material accumulation around the sensing interface. If the process medium is incompatible with 316L stainless steel, alternative materials or protective solutions may need to be considered with the manufacturer.
Temperature limits should be checked as well. The TS110-AP has a specified media temperature range of -30°C to 150°C and a compensated temperature range of -20°C to 60°C. Where high-temperature cleaning or sterilization is involved, buyers should confirm the actual temperature exposure at the diaphragm and transmitter electronics. Cooling devices or remote seal arrangements may be necessary for certain installations.
5. Measurement Range, Accuracy, and Signal Output
Hygienic construction is only one part of instrument selection. Pressure measurement must also be suitable for the operating range and control requirements of the production line.
The TS110-AP supports measurement ranges from -100 kPa to 10 kPa through to 60 MPa, providing configurations for different pressure-monitoring requirements. Available overall accuracy options are 0.15%FS, 0.25%FS, and 0.5%FS, while the stated long-term stability is 0.15% per year.
These parameters can be considered when selecting an instrument for liquid transfer, tank pressure monitoring, filtration systems, and other process-control applications. The appropriate range should be chosen according to normal operating pressure, possible pressure fluctuations, and the required measurement resolution.
Available output options include:
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4–20 mA
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0–5 V
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0–10 V
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4–20 mA with HART
These signals can be integrated into compatible PLC, DCS, and other industrial control systems. The correct option depends on the facility's control architecture and existing instrumentation.
The transmitter operates with a 9–36 V DC power supply, typically 24 V DC. Electrical connection options include M12×1 aviation connectors in vertical or horizontal configurations and a Hirschmann connector.
In facilities with variable-frequency drives, motors, and other electrically powered equipment, signal interference should also be considered. Although the TS110-AP is designed to resist variable-frequency and RF signal interference, proper grounding, shielding, cable routing, and separation from high-power wiring remain important parts of installation planning.
6. Cleaning and Maintenance Considerations
A hygienic pressure transmitter should be selected in coordination with the facility's overall sanitation procedures. The instrument must be compatible with the process medium during normal operation and with the cleaning agents used between production batches.
Before installation, engineers should check the compatibility of the diaphragm, wetted components, connection materials, and gaskets. The process connection should be correctly aligned and sealed to avoid gaps that could retain product residues.
For CIP applications, several operating conditions require verification:
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Cleaning temperature
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Chemical type and concentration
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Cleaning pressure
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Exposure duration
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Frequency of cleaning cycles
The specified media temperature range should not automatically be interpreted as approval for every cleaning or sterilization procedure. The actual cleaning conditions must be compared with the manufacturer's documented limits.
Maintenance personnel should periodically inspect the diaphragm surface, connection seals, electrical interfaces, and measurement readings. If the process medium or cleaning chemicals change, material compatibility and measurement range should be reviewed again.
7. A Practical Checklist for Choosing a Hygienic Pressure Transmitter
Selecting an instrument for food and beverage production requires balancing hygienic construction, measurement requirements, and installation conditions. Buyers can use the following factors when comparing available models.
Diaphragm structure: Determine whether a flat, flush sensing surface is needed to reduce residue accumulation around the measuring point.
Wetted material compatibility: Confirm that 316L stainless steel and other contact materials are suitable for the product and cleaning chemicals.
Process connection: Match clamp, threaded, or customized connections to the pipeline and sanitation requirements.
Measurement range: Select a pressure range appropriate for normal operation and expected pressure fluctuations.
Accuracy and stability: Review the accuracy class and long-term stability required by the control process.
Temperature conditions: Consider both normal process temperatures and cleaning or sterilization exposure.
Output and electrical connection: Confirm compatibility with the plant's PLC, DCS, wiring, and power supply.
Documentation: Review calibration records, material documentation, test reports, and any hygienic certificates required by the facility.
These checks help ensure that the transmitter is evaluated according to the actual production environment rather than selected solely on the basis of its nominal specifications.
8. Manufacturing Traceability and Quality Assurance
The reliability of a pressure transmitter also depends on how it is assembled, tested, and inspected. For industrial buyers, manufacturing traceability can provide useful information when evaluating supplier quality systems and production consistency.
Danrui Sensor (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. specializes in the research, development, and manufacturing of pressure and differential pressure measurement technologies. Founded in 2011, the company has more than 50 employees and nearly 20 patents related to its technology development.
It has been recognized as a National High-Tech Enterprise, a Private Technology Enterprise, and a Technology-Based SME. Its management systems are certified to GB/T 19001-2016 / ISO 9001:2015, GB/T 24001-2016 / ISO 14001:2015, and GB/T 45001-2020 / ISO 45001:2018 standards.
The company integrates precision testing equipment with a Manufacturing Execution System (MES) to manage production processes. Each sensor receives a unique serial number that connects key stages, including assembly, testing, aging, and final inspection. This provides a traceable record of the product's manufacturing and inspection history.
Danrui also operates a high-precision testing platform, with some core equipment reaching a maximum stated precision of 0.005%. Its data-driven quality system is intended to improve production control, measurement consistency, and product traceability.
These manufacturing capabilities are relevant when assessing the supplier behind a pressure instrument. However, factory quality management certifications and production traceability should be considered separately from product-specific hygienic approvals. Buyers should request the documentation needed to verify suitability for their own process.
9. Matching Hygienic Design with Process Measurement Requirements
Food and beverage production places several demands on pressure instrumentation. The device must provide suitable measurement performance while remaining compatible with the product, pipeline connection, and cleaning procedures.
The Hygienic Pressure Transmitter with a flat diaphragm structure is designed for applications where reducing cavities around the sensing interface is important. Its stainless steel construction, multiple process connection options, configurable measurement ranges, and industrial signal outputs provide flexibility for different process arrangements.
For buyers, the most effective selection process begins with a clear understanding of the medium, operating pressure, temperature, cleaning chemicals, and pipeline interface. These details allow the transmitter's specifications to be compared with actual production requirements.
With its measurement technology experience, MES-based production traceability, and precision testing capabilities, Danrui Sensor (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. offers pressure measurement products for industrial process applications. Evaluating both the instrument's technical parameters and its hygienic suitability helps manufacturers make a more informed decision for food and beverage production lines.
www.danruisensor.com
Danrui Sensor (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.
