Accelerating Internationalization: Standardization Requirements for China’s Ceramic Valve Industry

Valve products are widely used in petroleum, chemical, nuclear power, metallurgy, electric power, hydropower, large‑scale coal chemical and other industries. With growing production volume and continuous technical iteration of valves, corresponding standards become increasingly important. This article elaborates on development overview, system composition, current situation, standard adoption and future trends of valve standards.

1. Adoption of Standards in China’s Valve Industry

Adopting international and advanced foreign standards is an important national standardization policy. The valve industry has actively implemented this policy. Many basic standards, method standards and product standards are converted from international and overseas advanced specifications, which greatly improves the technical level of domestic valve standards.

(1) Adoption of International Standards

Most international standards have been partially or fully transformed into Chinese national standards. Nevertheless, a number of international standards remain unconverted. A few international standards do not fit domestic practical conditions and are not adopted for the time being.

(2) Adoption of Advanced Foreign Standards

Along with construction of key domestic long‑distance pipeline projects, API standards from American Petroleum Institute have gained wider recognition in China. API is a non‑profit organization representing petroleum industry covering exploration, development, storage, transportation, refining and marketing. Its specifications are widely accepted worldwide. So far, 17 API valve standards have been converted or are in progress for Chinese national or industrial standards. Besides API, domestic valve specifications draw references from MSS, AWWA, ASME, BS, JIS and other overseas standards associations. By referencing ISO and advanced foreign standards, overall performance of Chinese valve standards has been significantly enhanced, narrowing the gap between domestic and overseas products. Conventional valve products have reached or even exceeded the performance of foreign counterparts.

2. Development Trends of Valve Standards

(1) Strengthen linkage between standards and scientific research, standardize independent innovation achievements

Closer connection shall be built between standardization and R&D projects, especially major national science and technology programs. Research institutions and leading enterprises are encouraged to translate independent innovation results into formal standards to realize industrialization of new technologies and processes. The National Valve Standardization Technical Committee is drafting national standard Intelligent Electric Actuators for Valves. Intelligent electric valve actuators were originally developed overseas in early 2000s. Through technology introduction and indigenous R&D, China has fully mastered relevant technologies and achieved mass‑production with satisfactory product quality. The release of this national standard will boost industrial upgrading and reduce reliance on imported products. Formalizing new technologies into standards helps lower manufacturing cost, optimize product performance, speed‑up market acceptance and promote whole‑industry progress.

(2) Develop energy‑saving and new‑material standards to facilitate industrial restructuring

Constrained by domestic natural resources, formulating standards for power, water and material conservation has become a key direction for valve industry. Low‑efficiency high‑energy‑consumption products will be phased out to adjust industrial structure and popularize new technologies and new products. In terms of material saving, alternative new materials are promoted to substitute traditional metals and conserve steel and precious metals. Ceramic valves adopt ceramic materials for sealing components and wearing parts, delivering outstanding wear‑resistance, corrosion‑resistance and sealing performance, extending service life of equipment. Ceramic raw materials are abundant, mainly composed of aluminum, carbon, silicon and other common elements, saving substantial metal and rare mineral resources. Ceramic valves are widely applied in power, petroleum, chemical, metallurgy, mining and wastewater treatment fields featuring excellent wear‑resistance, reliable sealing and low leakage with good environmental benefits. Industrial standard JB/T10925‑2005 Ceramic Sealing Valves formulated by valve standardization committee accelerates popularization of ceramic sealing technology. For energy saving, low flow‑loss valve products are prioritized. Electric actuators adopt low‑power low‑noise motors and optimized mechanical design to reduce overall energy consumption.

(3) Proactive participation in international standardization and expand conversion of international standards

Against economic globalization, standard internationalization is an irreversible trend. It is necessary to study correlation between ISO standards and domestic valve specifications, sort out current adoption status and clarify future direction. Meanwhile, China shall substantially engage in international standardization activities, voice domestic technical demands and strive for greater say in international standards. ISO/TC153 valves working group is currently dominated by European and American parties. The National Valve Standardization Technical Committee actively attends and hosts international meetings, assigns domestic experts to join TC, SC and working groups, votes on draft standards and submits reasonable Chinese technical proposals to ISO/TC153 secretariat for incorporating Chinese requirements into international standards.

(4) Reinforce valve safety standards for equipment and personal protection

Many valves serve for pressure pipelines with high safety requirements. According to special‑equipment safety technical codes, valves are classified as pressure‑pipeline components. Two main causes of valve safety accidents: substandard products with defective shell wall thickness, welding inspection and material indicators; improper on‑site installation and operation. The national valve standardization committee keeps strengthening safety clauses in product specifications. Some requirements are quoted by special‑equipment codes as mandatory provisions to maximize equipment and personal safety. Recent standard projects include Specification for Minimum Shell Wall Thickness of Industrial Valves and General Requirements for Installation, Operation and Maintenance of Industrial Valves. Revision of valve safety specifications will remain a priority for the industry.