Cryogenic Valve

A cryogenic valve is a special type of valve designed to handle extremely low temperatures, typically below -100°C (-148°F). Cryogenic valves are commonly used in industries such as aerospace, medical, pharmaceutical, and energy, where materials are processed or stored at very low temperatures.

Cryogenic valves are designed with materials and features that can withstand the harsh conditions of extremely low temperatures, such as thermal contraction, brittleness, and embrittlement. Some common materials used in cryogenic valves include stainless steel, aluminum, bronze, and high-performance polymers.

Cryogenic valves typically have a longer stem length than standard valves to prevent heat transfer from the valve body to the stem, which could cause the stem to expand and damage the valve. The valve seats are also designed to be more resilient to thermal stresses and maintain a tight seal at low temperatures.

Types

• Cryogenic Globe Valve
• Cryogenic Ball Valve
• Cryogenic Gate Valve
• Cryogenic Butterfly Valve

Advantages

• Cryogenic valves offer several advantages over standard valves in applications that require the handling of extremely low-temperature fluids or gases, including:
• Material compatibility: Cryogenic valves are designed with materials that are compatible with low-temperature fluids and gases, preventing damage or failure due to thermal contraction or brittleness.
• Tight sealing: Cryogenic valves are designed with special seals and seats that maintain a tight seal at low temperatures, preventing leaks and minimizing the risk of equipment failure
• Safety: Cryogenic valves are designed to prevent the release of low-temperature fluids and gases into the environment, which can be hazardous to personnel and equipment.
• Reliability: Cryogenic valves are designed to withstand the harsh conditions of low-temperature environments, ensuring reliable and consistent operation over a long service life.

Applications

• LNG (liquefied natural gas) processing: Cryogenic valves are used in the liquefaction, storage, and transportation of natural gas, which must be cooled to extremely low temperatures (-162°C/-260°F) to become a liquid.
• Aerospace: Cryogenic valves are used in rocket engines, where liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen must be mixed at extremely low temperatures to create the necessary combustion for propulsion.
• Medical: Cryogenic valves are used in medical applications, such as cryosurgery and cryopreservation, where tissues and cells must be frozen and stored at extremely low temperatures.
• Energy: Cryogenic valves are used in energy applications, such as the production and storage of hydrogen fuel, which requires low-temperature processes.

How does a Cryogenic Valve work?

A cryogenic valve works similarly to a standard valve, but it is specifically designed to handle extremely low temperatures. The valve has a body, a stem, a seat, and a disc or ball that controls the flow of fluid or gas through the valve. When the valve is open, the disc or ball is lifted or turned to allow the fluid or gas to flow through the valve, and when the valve is closed, the disc or ball seals against the seat to prevent the flow of fluid or gas. In a cryogenic valve, the materials used in the valve body, stem, seat, and disc or ball are selected to be compatible with low-temperature fluids and gases, preventing damage or failure due to thermal contraction or brittleness. The stem is designed to have a longer length than standard valves to prevent heat transfer from the valve body to the stem, which could cause the stem to expand and damage the valve. The valve seats are also designed to be more resilient to thermal stresses and maintain a tight seal at low temperatures.

Description

• Materials: SS304, SS316, CF8M, CF8, F51, F55, F53, WCB, WC6, WCC, LCB, LCC.
• Class: 150 to 800.
• Nominal Pressure: PN25 to PN100.
• Size: 1/2” to 24”.
• Operations: Lever Operated, Gear operated, Hand wheel Operated, Electric Actuated and Pneumatic Actuated