【Major Chemical Equipment】004 – PDS High-Frequency Ball Valve for Polypropylene Plants
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The past decade has been a period of rapid development in China’s chemical industry, marked by the emergence of many new processes, products, and equipment. There has also been significant progress in China’s chemical processing equipment, which has contributed to the swift advancement of the petrochemical sector. Here, we have compiled a list of the achievements and breakthroughs made by Chinese equipment manufacturers in terms of larger-scale production and localization of such equipment. We welcome everyone to share their insights and engage in discussions. ************************************In October 2019, Chongqing Chuanyi Control Valve Co., Ltd. designed and manufactured a batch of PDS high-frequency ball valves, which were used in the 450,000-ton/year polypropylene production facility of Sichuan Petrochemical in China. These valves replaced imported products, and to date they have performed well, earning high praise from users, who noted that they have excellent sealing properties, stable operation, and performance comparable to those of the original imported high-frequency valves. The polypropylene PDS system places extremely high demands on valves. The medium within the system is in a gas-solid two-phase state, and the ultra-fine polypropylene powder has self-polymerizing properties; it tends to accumulate in the gaps between valve components, leading to valve blockage. This can result in pipeline blockages as a minor consequence. The valves are required to operate at a high frequency, opening and closing every 2–3 minutes, with an operation time of less than 2.5 seconds. This batch of PDS high-frequency ball valves features a large number of units, large diameters, and critical installation locations; in particular, valves D and E are the ones that operate under the harshest conditions and play the most vital role in the polypropylene PDS system. To replace imports, starting from the receipt of the order, the designers at Chuanyi Control Valve Company’s Ball Valve Model Worker Innovation Studio studied the relevant materials over and over, discussed various solutions, and conducted repeated tests to prove their effectiveness. Eventually, they developed the PDS high-frequency valve, which boasts excellent wear resistance, anti-adhesion properties, oxidation resistance, as well as fireproofing, anti-static, dust-proof features and a structure with low leakage. The successful and stable operation of this high-frequency ball valve represents another encouraging step forward for Chongqing Chuanyi in its efforts to replace imported PDS high-frequency ball valves with domestic alternatives. ************************************
【Major Equipment in the Chemical Equipment Industry】003 – Localization of Core Equipment for Large-Scale Natural Gas Hydrogen Production Facilities https://bbs.hcbbs.com/thread-3311254-1-1.html (Source: Huahai Chuanliu – Haichuan Chemical Forum Website)
At the same time, in order to achieve better wear resistance and a lower friction coefficient and to improve the performance of high-frequency ball valves, Antway Valve Company has also engaged in close cooperation with international specialist companies. As a result, a new type of composite coating called Fslloy30 was developed. Tests have shown that the Fslloy30 coating offers greater wear resistance compared to Fslloy28； Moreover, with a friction coefficient that is more than 10% lower, creep can be effectively reduced, and stability can be maintained at all times; this clearly contributes to extending the lifespan of the sealing surface and ensuring stable switching torque. Valve bodies and seats coated with Fslloy30 maintained a perfectly smooth sealing surface even after 2 million cycles of opening and closing under simulated field conditions, with no significant increase in valve torque. In the application project of Shenhua Ningmei, Antway valves’ high-frequency ball valves were used in the PDS feeding system of PP/PE plants. These valves featured valve balls and seat coatings made of Fslloy28; after 10 months of use (approximately 800,000 operations), there were no scratches on the sealing surfaces, and the valves operated smoothly. The leakage level remained above ASME B16.104 standards, demonstrating excellent performance. Their capabilities surpassed those of similar imported products, which is why all high-frequency ball valves in Shenhua Ningmei’s plants are now of this type.
At present, the best PDS valves are those of imported brand Foster; it’s not clear what the performance of domestic versions will be over a long period of use, or whether they can ensure at least 2 million normal cycles of opening and closing
It doesn’t seem very large either, and it’s opened and closed quite frequently