Breakthrough in Domestic C-type Control Ball Valves: Afa Empowers World’s First UPC Unit.
Recently, 25 sets of pneumatic, electric, and pneumatic motor-driven C-type control and shut-off ball valves, independently developed and manufactured by Afa Flow Control Co., Ltd., successfully replaced imported equivalents. These valves will be deployed in the construction of the world’s first 300,000-ton/year UPC (Crude Oil Catalytic Cracking to Olefins) technology pilot plant. This achievement highlights the strength of domestic manufacturing in providing critical support for breaking through 'bottleneck' technologies in the petrochemical industry.
Co-developed by CNPC East China Design Institute Co., Ltd. (CEI) and Dongming Zhongyou Fuel Petrochemical Co., Ltd., and funded by the latter, this UPC project represents a landmark engineering feat in China's mission to break foreign monopolies in direct crude-to-olefins conversion and propel the upgrade of the petrochemical industry. UPC technology enables a 'one-step' direct conversion of crude oil into olefins, significantly reducing costs and energy consumption—a development of immense importance for the high-quality growth of the sector. Previously, core fluid control equipment in this field had long been reliant on imports.
Afa successfully secured the project through its deep technical expertise and innovation capabilities. As a National High-Tech Enterprise and a provincial-level 'Specialized, Refined, Differential, and Innovational' (SRDI) Demonstration Enterprise, the C-type control and shut-off ball valve developed by Afa featuring a double-eccentric structure. This valve offers an inherent equal-percentage flow characteristic, enabling precise medium regulation under the unit's most demanding operating conditions. Its performance rivals or even surpasses that of imported alternatives, effectively breaking the long-standing foreign monopoly.
Notably, the 26-inch, 150LB pneumatic motor-driven C-type control and shut-off ball valve applied in this project has set a domestic record. It is currently the largest-bore deflection-type control valve in use in China, filling a critical technological gap and providing a domestic solution for similar large-scale petrochemical units.
This breakthrough is both a testament to Afa’s innovative prowess and a significant milestone in the localization of petrochemical equipment. As a 'Hidden Champion' in the fluid control sector, Afa remains committed to independent R&D, empowering industrial upgrades with premium equipment while safeguarding national energy security. Looking ahead, the company will continue to increase R&D investment to master core technologies and drive the iterative upgrading of domestic high-end, wear-resistant ball valves, helping China’s coal-to-chemical and petrochemical industries leap from 'following' to 'leading' on the global stage.
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