Ultra-Cryogenic Butterfly Valves Independent Innovation in LNG

Ultra-Cryogenic Butterfly Valves Progress in the LNG Receiving Terminals

Valves, one of the core equipment components of LNG (liquefied natural gas) receiving terminals, are particularly large-diameter cryogenic butterfly valves with sizes exceeding 14 inches, which have long relied heavily on imports. However, this situation has recently undergone a significant change. On September 2nd, learned from the China National Petroleum and Natural Gas Pipeline Network Corporation (CNPGC), in collaboration with КЛАПАН ZZJG has successfully developed a full range of ultra-cryogenic butterfly valves (ranging from 8 inches to 46 inches) required for LNG receiving terminals. These valves have been put into use at the newly built Longkou LNG Receiving Terminal, a major national energy project.

[Significance of the Longkou LNG Receiving Terminal]

As a key project of the CNPGC, the Longkou LNG Receiving Terminal not only marks a major breakthrough in the localization of LNG receiving terminals in my country but also demonstrates my country's technological strength in the energy sector. The first phase of the receiving station is equipped with six 220,000 cubic meter LNG storage tanks and a series of key equipment, including ultra-low temperature butterfly valves, operating at a normal operating temperature of approximately -163°C. The successful development and application of these equipment not only reduced construction and operating costs but also shortened delivery cycles, effectively ensuring the stable operation of the LNG receiving station. This also marks a solid step forward in my country's efforts to localize LNG receiving stations.

Benefits of ZZJG Ultra-Cryogenic Butterfly Valves for LNG

[Cost Reduction of Large-Diameter Butterfly Valves]

Close collaboration between industry, academia, and research is key to overcoming technical challenges. The Deputy Manager of the Materials Procurement Department of the Construction Project Management Branch of the National Pipeline Network Group revealed that over the past three years, they have engaged in in-depth discussions with multiple manufacturers, jointly exploring the details, technological innovations, and research directions of equipment localization. Through unremitting efforts, they have finally developed a detailed localization scope and successfully promoted the localization of several key equipment, including cryogenic butterfly valves, ball valves, and safety valves.

April 3, is a milestone for the first phase of the Longkou Nanshan LNG receiving station. On this day, in Yichang, Hubei, the "42-inch 150-pound and 28-inch 150-pound triple-eccentric ultra-cryogenic butterfly valves," developed by ZZJG VALVE in collaboration with the National Pipeline Network Group, successfully passed localization certification. Experts believe that these butterfly valves, with independent intellectual property rights, have technical specifications that reach the advanced level of similar international products, particularly in terms of sealing performance, making them ideally suited for use in LNG receiving terminals.

In addition, the localization of large-diameter triple-eccentric ultra-cryogenic butterfly valves has also brought significant economic benefits. According to an LNG procurement specialist from the Materials Procurement Department of the National Pipeline Network Construction Project Management Branch, compared with imported butterfly valves of the same specifications and function, a single domestic butterfly valve can save approximately 60% in costs and shorten delivery cycles by 40%. In the Longkou LNG Phase I project alone, the procurement of 16 42-inch butterfly valves has saved the company a total of 20.8 million RMB.

Subsequently, on May 24, the "localized prototype of the ultra-cryogenic safety valve" successfully completed various factory tests and third-party inspections, and successfully passed localization certification. Experts at the conference believe that this move will help change China's long-standing reliance on imports for cryogenic valves, effectively reduce procurement risks, improve economic efficiency, and promote localization across the industry. It will also further enhance the quality of key domestic equipment for LNG receiving terminals and promote the healthy and independent development of the domestic cryogenic valve industry.

Currently, the Longkou LNG Receiving Terminal Phase I project has successfully achieved a remarkable 90% localization rate for its equipment. This achievement not only promotes the localization of core equipment such as discharge arms, cryogenic butterfly valves, and cryogenic safety valves, but also demonstrates the steadfast progress of the domestic LNG industry on the path to localization.