The Alfa Laval Sani rotary spray head range addresses a straightforward engineering problem: how to clean the full internal surface of a hygienic tank reliably, repeatably, and with less liquid than static spray ball technology requires. Each unit in the range — SaniMicro for tanks from 0.05 to 1 m³, SaniMidget for 1 to 10 m³, and SaniMagnum for 5 to 40 m³ — operates at a working pressure of 1 to 3 bar, with 2 bar as the recommended operating point. The head rotates on the energy of the cleaning media; there are no motors or external drives to install.

How the self-lubricating rotary spray head works

Cleaning media enters through the supply connection and causes the spray head to rotate. Fan-shaped jets distribute the flow in a swirling pattern across the tank interior, generating both a wetting action across the full vessel wall and a focused impact cleaning effect at closer range. The cascading flow follows the curvature of the vessel down to the base. Because the cleaning fluid itself lubricates the internal bearing mechanism, no separate lubricant is introduced into the process environment — a requirement referenced across the product documentation for hygienic process applications.

SaniMicro, SaniMidget, SaniMagnum spray pattern options

All three units are offered in multiple spray coverage patterns: 360° full coverage, 270° upward, and 180° downward. The 360° pattern provides complete circumferential wetting; the 270° upward pattern concentrates cleaning toward the roof and upper wall; the 180° downward pattern focuses cleaning on lower vessel geometry. LowFlow variants exist for select patterns on the SaniMicro and the SaniMagnum for reduced consumption where required. For clip-on connection models, documented flow-rate adjustments apply: clip-on increases the flow by approximately 0.2 m³/h on the SaniMicro, 0.5 m³/h on the SaniMidget, and 1.5 m³/h on the SaniMagnum compared with thread and weld-on equivalents.

Material grades and surface finish for hygienic process environments

Material options are specified per model. SaniMicro wetted steel parts are available in AISI 316 (UNS S31600), AISI 316L (UNS S31603), and Duplex steel (UNS S31803); SaniMidget lists AISI 316L (UNS S31603) as a standard material. SaniMagnum standard steel options include AISI 316 (UNS S31600), AISI 316L (UNS S31603) and Duplex steel (UNS S31803), with Hastelloy grades UNS N06022 and UNS N10276 available as documented options. Polymer parts across the range are PTFE with FDA 21CFR§177 compliance. Standard external surface finish is Ra 0.5 µm and internal finish is Ra 0.8 µm; UltraPure/electropolished variants bring both internal and external surfaces to Ra 0.5 µm EP where specified.

CIP spray head connection types and retrofitting to existing spray ball installations

Each unit can be supplied in thread, clip-on, and weld-on configurations. Threaded versions include BSP and NPT forms; weld-on connections cover common hygienic pipe standards (ISO, DIN ranges, and BPE US). Clip-on versions fit standard pipe ranges and allow installation or removal without welding, simplifying maintenance and enabling direct retrofit where the pipework and connection standard match. The product documentation explicitly highlights retrofit from static spray balls as a supported use case.

Temperature limits and installation precautions

Maximum working temperature across the product family is 95 °C, with a maximum ambient temperature of 140 °C documented for all models. The documentation recommends a supply-line filter to protect the internal mechanism from hard or abrasive particles and advises avoidance of hydraulic shock. The units are not intended for gas evacuation or air dispersion and steaming procedures are referenced to the product manual.