Zhengmao’s cryogenic valve series is widely used in liquefied natural gas (LNG), air separation, aerospace, low-temperature chemical processing and other ultra-low-temperature media applications. This article introduces our flagship product: the large-bore cryogenic ball valve.
The valve features a DN500 full-bore design with a smooth flow passage and high flow capacity, meeting the requirements for conveying and shutoff of large volumes of cryogenic media.
The body is made of CF8 austenitic stainless steel, which provides good low-temperature toughness and corrosion resistance. The body retains structural integrity in cryogenic and extreme low-temperature environments, reducing the risk of brittle fracture. Characterized by large bore, low flow resistance and reliable structure, the product is suited to energy equipment and large-scale pipeline systems that demand tight cryogenic sealing and long-term service.
Challenges Addressed for Users
In LNG, air separation and low-temperature chemical applications, valves operate continuously under ultra-low-temperature, high-flow or cyclic conditions. Users commonly face the following issues:
- Risk of low-temperature brittleness The toughness of ordinary steel decreases in cryogenic service, creating a risk of brittle fracture. Starting from body material and structural design, the Zhengmao cryogenic ball valve ensures structural strength and impact resistance at low temperature, reducing the risk of low-temperature cracking.
- Flow loss in large-bore lines An undersized bore in large-bore pipelines causes high flow resistance and pressure drop, affecting conveyance efficiency. The DN500 full-bore design prioritizes flow capacity and reduces pipeline resistance losses.
- Low-temperature shrinkage and sealing reliability Differential shrinkage of components at low temperature can lead to poor seating contact or operating seizure. The valve is matched to cryogenic service with regard to stem, seals and assembly clearances, aiming to maintain stable sealing and operating performance under temperature variation.
- Long-term service and maintenance cost Energy projects require long online operating periods. Zhengmao controls material selection, machining, assembly and factory inspection to reduce the probability of leakage and seizure in service, and to cut maintenance and downtime losses.
- Lead-time and service pressure from imported products When large-bore cryogenic valves rely on imports, projects often face long delivery cycles, high prices and slow response for spare parts and technical support. Localized supply helps relieve this situation.
Domestic Substitution: Self-Contained Capability from Material to Testing
The development of Zhengmao cryogenic valves is based on domestic valve manufacturing and material supply capabilities, and a self-contained support system has been built around cryogenic service:
- Materials: The body uses CF8 cast stainless steel; casting, heat treatment and chemical composition control are applied to ensure low-temperature material performance.
- Machining and assembly: Precision control is exercised on critical parts such as sealing faces, stem and ball mating surfaces, to accommodate low-temperature shrinkage.
- Inspection: Appearance, dimensional, pressure and relevant low-temperature performance tests are carried out in accordance with product standards and project requirements, with traceable key indicators.
- Service: Localized technical communication, selection and sizing, spare parts support and after-sales response are provided to shorten the communication chain from selection to delivery.
While benchmarked against imported equivalent products, the value of domestic substitution lies not only in price, but also in controllable lead time, accessible spare parts and direct technical communication, facilitating cost and schedule management for both domestic energy projects and overseas EPC projects.
Applications in the LNG Sector
LNG is stored and transported at approximately -162 °C, a typical cryogenic service that places strict requirements on valve material toughness, sealing performance and structural reliability. The Zhengmao large-bore cryogenic ball valve can be applied in the following LNG scenarios:
- Storage tanks and process piping at LNG receiving terminals;
- Vaporizers, recondensers and associated connecting piping;
- Ship and truck loading/unloading and transfer lines;
- Shutoff and control duties in natural gas liquefaction, storage/transportation and peak-shaving facilities.
The DN500 full-bore configuration suits on/off control of large-volume cryogenic media in main pipelines. The CF8 body addresses both low-temperature service and medium corrosion protection, and can be considered as a candidate for cryogenic ball valve selection in LNG projects.
Export Markets: Middle East, South America, Russia and Central Asia
Building on experience in domestic projects, Zhengmao cryogenic valves are increasingly supplied to overseas energy markets, with focus on the Middle East, South America, Russia and Central Asia, with supply configured according to the operating environment, standards and project requirements of each region.
1. Middle East
Oil, gas and LNG projects in the Middle East are large in scale and characterized by high temperature and humidity, sour media and long-term operation, placing high requirements on valve materials, sealing reliability and documentation. Zhengmao can supply large-bore cryogenic ball valves and supporting documentation in accordance with project technical specifications and relevant standards, serving oil and gas storage/transportation, LNG and chemical process applications.
2. South America
With the advancement of natural gas development, storage/transportation facilities and city gas infrastructure in South America, demand continues for both low-temperature and general industrial valves. Products can be selected and configured according to local project pressure ratings, media conditions, end-connection types and certification requirements, supporting EPC projects in tender technical documentation, factory inspection and after-sales response.
3. Russia
Russia’s cold climate places prominent demands on low-temperature adaptability of valves used in gas pipelines, gas storage and peak-shaving facilities, LNG plants and petrochemical units. Cryogenic ball valves can be applied to low-temperature gas storage/transportation, LNG plants and isolation duties in pipeline systems under severe cold. For exports to Russia, EAC certification, GOST standards and project technical specifications are normally referenced to confirm materials, seals, inspection documents and packaging/transportation requirements; Zhengmao can support customers in standards benchmarking and document preparation.
4. Central Asia
Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, etc.) is rich in natural gas, with ongoing development of gas gathering, long-distance transmission pipelines, gas processing and storage/transportation facilities. Products can be configured for natural gas processing, transmission and low-temperature service, aligned with pressure ratings, climatic conditions and supplier qualification requirements of local pipeline projects; localized communication support is provided for material traceability, inspection reports and after-sales spare parts.
In the export process, products are delivered in compliance with the standards, inspection documents and packaging/transportation requirements of the target market, supporting customers in project tendering, technical confirmation and after-sales service.
Closing
The Zhengmao large-bore cryogenic ball valve is based on a DN500 full-bore design, CF8 low-temperature stainless steel body and cryogenic structural design, and addresses practical user requirements in low-temperature toughness, high-flow conveyance, sealing reliability and supply service for LNG and ultra-low-temperature service. Going forward, Zhengmao will continue to improve its product system through cryogenic materials, structural optimization and test validation, providing stable and traceable valve support for domestic energy equipment localization and overseas LNG and oil & gas projects.
Cryogenic Valve Range
From LNG to liquid hydrogen, air separation to aerospace applications, these “cryogenic-resistant workhorse valves” deliver reliable performance under extreme cryogenic conditions ranging from -162°C down to -269°C.
Five Core Medium Valves (Full Coverage of Extreme Cryogenic Temperatures)
LNG Valves | Rated for -162°C
Core equipment for natural gas liquefaction, dedicated to receiving terminals and storage tanks; featuring zero-leakage performance and high-pressure resistance.
Liquid Nitrogen (LN₂) Valves | Rated for -196°C
Primary solution for industrial cooling and food quick-freezing processes; anti-ice-block design with superior resistance to low-temperature thermal shock.
Liquid Oxygen (LOX) Valves | Rated for -183°C
Mandatory components for air separation units and aerospace oxidizer supply systems; static-discharge prevention, flame-retardant sealing for maximum operational safety.
Liquid Hydrogen (LH₂) Valves | Rated for -253°C
Critical hardware for commercial hydrogen energy deployment; engineered with hydrogen embrittlement mitigation and ultra-high tightness sealing, representing top-tier industry performance.
Liquid Helium (LHe) Valves | Rated for -269°C
Ultimate cryogenic solution for superconductivity equipment and scientific research; capable of stable long-term micro-flow regulation under superfluid helium conditions.
Four Mainstream Valve Types (Full-Scenario Compatibility)
Ball Valves for LOX, LN₂ and LH₂
Rapid open/close actuation plus superior sealing performance; the preferred valve type for LNG plants and air separation facilities.
Butterfly Valves for LHe, LN₂, LOX and LH₂
Compact, lightweight footprint to save installation space, optimized for large-flow pipeline systems.
Control Valves for LN₂, LHe, LH₂ and LOX
Precise flow modulation capability, essential for laboratory research and fine chemical processing.
Globe Valves & Gate Valves
Globe valves compatible with LN₂, LHe, LH₂, LOX media; LN₂ service gate valves; deliver dependable shutoff function as safety isolation guardians for process pipelines.
Industry Insight
Cryogenic valves were historically dominated by imported products, which came with exorbitant costs and lengthy lead times. Today, domestic Chinese cryogenic valve technology has achieved revolutionary breakthroughs.
Zhengmao Valves boasts years of specialized R&D and manufacturing experience in extreme operating conditions, offering a full product portfolio covering temperatures from -40°C to -269°C. Our valves adopt special alloy construction paired with vacuum insulation structures, and have passed full-range cryogenic immersion testing, with leakage rates exceeding international specification thresholds.
Our product line delivers precise compatibility for LNG projects, liquid hydrogen demonstration facilities, air separation plants, aerospace systems and scientific research installations, facilitating domestic substitution of imported equipment to cut capital expenditure and boost operational efficiency.
Company Introduction
Zhengmao Valve Co., Ltd.(UNGM:1214985), founded in 1992 in Yongjia County, Wenzhou (renowned as China’s valve manufacturing hub), is a national high-tech enterprise dedicated to the R&D and manufacturing of high-performance industrial valves. With a registered capital of 100 million RMB, the company has over three decades of unwavering commitment to the industry, specializing in valves that meet international API standards.
Our integrated operations are supported by three major valve production bases and a dedicated precision foundry, spanning a total area of 78,600 square meters. This is further reinforced by a provincial-level R&D center and a precision laboratory.
This comprehensive setup enables stringent quality control across every stage-from raw materials to finished products-ensuring exceptional product stability and long-term reliability.
With 510 employees, we have established a complete industrial chain encompassing product R&D, design, precision casting, manufacturing, testing, sales, and after-sales service.
Quality is our cornerstone, and innovation drives our progress. Holding over 50 national invention patents, we offer a vast product portfolio of more than 60 series and thousands of specifications, utilizing hundreds of core materials. Our product range covers high, medium, and low-pressure valves capable of safe and stable operation under complex and demanding conditions. They serve a wide array of domestic and international sectors including chemicals, fertilizers, metallurgy, pharmaceuticals, power generation, petroleum, smelting, brewing, food processing, pulp & paper, mining, HVAC, heating, water conservancy, municipal engineering, and real estate. While enjoying a strong domestic market presence, our products are also exported to 56 countries worldwide, earning global customer trust through consistent quality.
The company maintains ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 management system certifications, holds the China Special Equipment (TS) Manufacturing License, and possesses API, CE, EAC certifications alongside other essential product test reports for international compliance.
Zhengmao Valve was founded in 1992 in Wenzhou, China. We are a national high-tech valve manufacturer with three production bases and our own foundry. We supply several industrial valves for petroleum, chemical, power and shipbuilding, mining. Certified with API, CE, EAC, SIL3 and TS licence. We produce a wide range of standard valves suitable for harsh operating conditions, with a temperature range from -196℃ to 1000℃, DN15~DN2500, Class 150~ Class 2500, (PN1~PN430), API/BS/EN/DIN/IS/GOST.
Media Contact
ZHENGMAO VALVE CO.,LTD.
No. 19, Zhangbao West Road, Wuxing Industrial Zone, Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province, China.
Jason Ku
Whatsapp/WeChat: +86 13868610141
Telegram/Zalo: +86 13868610141
Email: chinazmv@outlook.com
Website: http://chinazmv.com / https://zhengmaogroup.com
