"Following the successful tests, we believe we are well-positioned to win orders in the nuclear core island valve market” said Mr. Jianbao Wang, Chief Executive Officer of China Valves
– Edited By Tom Lamar –
China Valves Technology, Inc. (China Valves), a valve manufacturer, announced that its gate and check valves used in the NSSS of nuclear power plants successfully passed all tests administered by China Institute of Atomic Energy ("CIAE"), the primary nuclear science and technology research institute in China, and Nuclear Power Institute of China ("NPIC"), the leading base in China for nuclear reactor engineering research, design, testing and operation. With a diameter of 250mm and 1500LB of compressive resistance, the prototype valves are among the largest and highest performing valves which can ever been made by Chinese manufacturers. Thus, China Valves became the only valve manufacturer in China that passed all tests provided by these two institutes at first attempt and China Valves is now eligible to supply valves for core islands of nuclear power plants, which are mostly being imported from overseas.
The valves underwent tests, including functional tests and an earthquake test. The functional tests consist of a working life test which examines the valves resistance under 20 MPa high pressure at 38 degrees Celsius repeated 500 times and under extreme temperatures in a range of 316 degrees Celsius under pressure of 16 MPa and repeated 1,500 times, impact tests under different temperatures, a high-pressure blocking test, a flow coefficient test and a pipe loading test.
According to National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), China will install at least eight nuclear power generating units each year between 2010 and 2020, which require more than 30,000 valves for each unit, of which over one-third are used in the core island, while accounting for approximately 70% of the total value. Each nuclear power generating unit will require valves for an amount of more than RMB350 million at core inland, of which imports have traditionally accounted for the majority.
"Following the successful tests, we believe we are well-positioned to win orders in the nuclear core island valve market. Meanwhile, we have continued to make progress in supplying valves for the conventional island of nuclear power plants," said Mr. Jianbao Wang, Chief Executive Officer of China Valves. "We believe power generation will remain a growth driver for the upcoming years. In addition to nuclear valves, our strong competitive advantages include extra large diameter ball valves. We are the only company in China that is able to produce the extra large diameter ball valves for pumped storage hydropower plants, which are built in conjunction with nuclear plants."