Inside Suncombe’s Sanitary Tank and Vessel Design Philosophy
2025-08-20
What is The Use of Hygienic Pressure Vessels?
Tanks and hygienic pressure vessels are more than just containers in critical industries like biopharmaceuticals, clean utilities, high-purity water, and sanitary process engineering. They are engineered, validated components that must meet stringent hygienic, mechanical, and regulatory standards. At Suncombe, we don’t treat vessel design as an afterthought, it’s a core area of expertise we’ve refined since 1961.
Our hygienic pressure vessels are built for GMP compliance, long-term durability, ease of cleaning, and total process integrity. Here’s what makes Suncombe tanks and hygienic pressure vessels the trusted choice for high-containment and high-purity applications worldwide.
Contact Suncome and speak to our experts about your CIP (cleanable in-place) or SIP (Sterilise-in-Place) systems requirements.
Tanks vs. Pressure Vessels – What’s the Difference?
A tank is typically used for holding liquids at atmospheric pressure.
A pressure vessel is designed to safely contain fluids at pressures different from ambient, requiring compliance with stringent design codes such as ASME VIII, PD5500, or EN13445.
At Suncombe, we offer both, customised to suit each clients’ specific pressure, temperature, chemical, and spatial requirements.
Engineered for Performance: Mechanical & Hygienic Design
Internal geometry, mixing volumes, and cleanability
Agitator specifications (top, bottom, magnetic coupling)
Jacket type (dimple, limpet coil, spiral)
Nozzle configuration for CIP, instrumentation, and sampling
Vessel insulation and cladding (typically 304L or 316L SS)
Cleanroom compatibility and ergonomic handling
316L Stainless Steel, Duplex Alloys and Hastelloy for high-purity and corrosive processes
Hygienic internal weld finishes (mechanical and electro-polished, Ra ≤ 0.8 µm and better)
Full automatic welding with 100% Boroscopic inspection
Compliance with ASME BPE, 3-A, and GAMP standards
Cleanability by Design
Suncombe vessels are engineered with hygiene at the forefront:
Sloped bottoms and drainable geometry
Short ferrules and angled fittings to eliminate dead legs
Sprayball optimisation for complete CIP coverage
Electropolished surfaces to enhance passivity and corrosion resistance
Passivation using nitric, phosphoric, or client-preferred solutions
Our team ensures vessels are fully cleanable in-place (CIP) or suitable for SIP (Sterilise-in-Place) with no hidden pockets or retention areas.
Custom Geometry, Ergonomics & Movement
From large fixed process tanks to mobile buffer prep vessels, we offer a wide range of:
Access options: hinged manways, circular and oval handholes
Portability features: castors, skids, or forklift mountings
Volume designations: working, total, max capacity, and minimum mixing volumes
Each vessel is 3D modelled to ensure precise fit, performance, and ergonomic compliance, even within tight cleanroom spaces.
Certified, Validated, Documented
Suncombe vessels are CE marked and designed in accordance with the Pressure Equipment Directive 2014/68/EU when applicable. Our hygienic pressure vessels are validated using:
Full FAT protocols (wet & dry)
Weld maps, 3.1 material traceability, and test certificates
GAMP lifecycle documentation: FDS, HDS, SDS, P&IDs, and software validation
A comprehensive Data Manual accompanies every vessel, containing installation, operation, and maintenance documentation.
Spray Devices: Fixed vs. Rotary
We select and configure spray devices based on:
Coverage patterns
Mechanical force requirements
Water usage
Cleaning validation outcomes
Here is a small table that highlights the key differences between the spray devices:
Integrated Project Delivery
Our sanitary vessels are part of a broader project lifecycle that includes:
Project management with a single point of contact
Dedicated mechanical, automation, and QA teams
Complete integration with CIP, WIP, and EDS systems
Whether as standalone vessels or part of a turnkey skid package, Suncombe delivers engineered reliability backed by over 60 years of manufacturing excellence.
Contact Suncombe for Customised Cleaning Solutions
At Suncombe, we don’t just build vessels, we engineer hygienic assets that meet the strictest standards of cleanliness, compliance, and durability. With robust materials, expert design, and a meticulous validation process, our sanitary tanks and pressure vessels are trusted across industries where there is no margin for error.
We have combined our decades of engineering expertise with ASME BPE and GMP standards, and our team ensures every hygienic pressure vessel is designed for long-term performance, full cleanability, and seamless integration.
Our CIP, GMP Washers, GMP Vessels, and other processing equipment make sure that your manufacturing line is always clean and free of contaminants while also being more sustainable.
Contact us today for more information on our cleaning solutions. Email [email protected] with your requirements or call +44 (0) 203 089 0280 to speak to one of our specialists.
