Reduction of Heat Input in Media-Separated Valves

This application note discusses the reduction of heat input from media-separated valves into flowing fluids, emphasizing its significance in laboratory automation. It outlines how heat can adversely affect fluid properties, such as denaturing proteins in blood samples and destabilizing reagents, which can lead to unreliable diagnostic results. The document details the factors influencing heat input, including valve design and flow rates, and presents findings from simulations and practical tests comparing Festo valves with competitors. It highlights that the heat input is significantly lower at higher flow rates and provides recommendations for optimizing valve design to minimize heat input. The note also suggests that decentralized placement of control electronics can further reduce heat generation. The results indicate that Festo's VYKA solenoid valve demonstrates superior performance in maintaining low heat input, making it suitable for sensitive applications in medical diagnostics.