Cryogenic Valves
Through our esteemed supply partners, we provide an all-encompassing selection of cryogenic ball valves, including both soft seats and metal seated configurations for ball valves. Count on us to provide comprehensive technical advice and recommendations tailored to your specific application needs. Whatever your requirements may be, we are here to support and guide you towards the optimal valve solutions for cryogenic operations.
- Valves held in stock prepared for cryogenic applications to -196 Degc
- In house modification and manufacturing options for fast-track deliveries.
- Valves “type tested” to various international standards including BS 6364
- In house cryogenic test facilities, witness test options.
- Global user references
We have extensive experience supplying into many different cryogenic industries including compression for storage and distribution and offer cryogenic ball valves with special stem sealing arrangements. Our cryogenic ball valves cover a range of gases including:
- Nitrogen
- Oxygen
- Carbon Dioxide
- LNG
- LPG
What Are Cryogenic Valves?
A wide array of cryogenic valves are available, designed to operate effectively across different pressure ranges. Among the most commonly used types are cryogenic ball valves, cryogenic butterfly valves, gate valves, globe valves and cryogenic safety relief valves. Moreover, these valves come in various shapes and sizes, with the added flexibility of being either manual or automatic, making them essential components for large-scale systems.
Where Are Cryogenic Valves Used?
Applications with liquified gases namely nitrogen, natural gas (LNG) & oxygen involve very low temperatures. Gases are cooled into liquid form as the preferred method for transportation and storage. LNG is typically transported between liquefaction facilities and storage facilities, tankers, and re-gasification facilities. As LNG is much denser than compressed natural gas, it means that much higher amounts of gas can be transported.
LNG requires temperatures as low as -160 Degc to remain in liquid form so the facilities necessary to achieve and maintain this are very specialised. It should be remembered that a cryogenic valve is considerably more expensive than a valve designed for standard ambient applications.
Materials of construction are normally stainless steel and supplied with extended bonnets to ensure that the stem seals remain at ambient temperatures away from the cold source.
In addition to material selection, the preparation, assembly & testing must be carried out in a controlled way to ensure the cryogenic ball valves are free from grease and dirt. Valves are normally assembled in a clean room and tested using gas to verify the performance. It is also typical to simulate the low temperature conditions by carrying out tests at low temperatures normally as low as -196 Degc.