Qingdao LNG Pipeline Project - Cryogenic Valve

The LNG project in Qingdao plays an important role in improving the energy consumption structure and realizing the sustainable development of the regional economy. The completed Qingdao LNG receiving station has received 36 ships and discharged 2.626,600 tons of cargo since it was put into operation at the end of 2014. It has been able to transport 2.001 billion cubic meters of natural gas through pipelines and fill 895,900 tons of LNG tankers.

ZECO VALVE supplier provided cryogenic ball valves, cryogenic gate valves, cryogenic butterfly valves, and some other cryogenic international standard valves for the Qingdao LNG pipeline project.

Production Field of Qingdao LNG Pipeline Project

Packing List of Qingdao LNG Pipeline Project

Cryogenic Ball Valve 1/2inch~10inch
Cryogenic Gate Valve 1/2inch~10inch
Cryogenic Butterfly Valve 4inch~10inch

What are Cryogenic Valves?

Cryogenic valves obtained their name from the branch of physics pertaining to materials being at very low temperatures. Because of this, cryogenic valves are typically used in applications where very cold gases (or other mediums) are being transmitted through valves, which can potentially cause malfunctions without a cryogenic extension.

The production, transport, and storage of liquefied gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, argon, natural gas, hydrogen, or helium (down to -425°F/ -253.9ºC) presents several technical problems. Velan specially-adapted extended bonnet cast valves offer safe and efficient service.

How does a Cryogenic Valve work?

Cryogenic valves are kept in a natural closed position to keep cryogenic gasses or other mediums secure and safely contained. A cryogenic valve is generally designed to react to high pressure which pushes the valve into the open position to allow the gas or other media to flow readily through. Such open flow will continue until the pressure again decreases, at which point it will swing back and become sealed with a special metal seat bubble-tight shutoff to prevent any leaking.

Choosing The Right Cryogenic Valves

There are five types of cryogenic valves that are ideal for cryogenic media. Each of these types has its own set of characteristics that make them suitable in some applications and unsuitable in others.

Globe Valves. Called such due to their spherical shape, these valves have an internal movable disc — the obturator — that rotates at 90 degrees to the plane of its coordinated body seat. These cryogenic valves offer greater reliability for long-term sealing performance but are susceptible to moisture and aren’t good in situations where the flow rate is paramount.
Ball Valves. These valves utilize a ball as the obturator and generally include a Polytetrafluoroethylene body seat. They have better flow characteristics than globe valves but are more prone to wear and tear along their seals and the ball itself. They are thus most valuable for applications in which an unrestricted flow path is necessary.
Top Entry Ball Valves. Similar to standard ball cryogenic valves, this newer model has a one-piece design with butt welded connections that makes maintenance easy. The lack of mechanical joints also makes it a preferred option in fire-safe applications.
Gate Valves. Gate valves utilize a wedge-type gate as the obturator which swings to close parallel to the mating body seat. They’re similar to ball valves in that they offer good flow characteristics but are hampered by wear and tear.
Butterfly Valves. Butterfly valves are a part of the quarter turn family and utilize a circular disk at their center. This disc allows butterfly cryogenic valves to be shorter in length than the aforementioned choices, making them lighter and cheaper as well as quick and simple to operate. But over-use leads to their shorter lifespan.