Infrastructure construction is a core focus of our country's economic development. Water supply and drainage projects, particularly large-scale sewage treatment initiatives, have gained significant attention following China's accession to the WTO and the launch of the Western Development strategy. The valve market is therefore expected to experience strong growth. Despite having nearly 120 years of water service history—seven years earlier than Japan—there remains a substantial gap in infrastructure that needs urgent development. Currently, over half of the 700-plus cities in China face water shortages, with more than 100 cities suffering from severe water scarcity. Annual water consumption is expected to increase by 7 million cubic meters per day.
One of the key environmental control measures outlined in China’s "Ninth Five-Year Plan" was sewage treatment, focusing on the three lakes (Taihu, Chaohu, and Dianchi) and three rivers (Liaohe, Haihe, and Yangtze). By 2003, all 640 county-level cities with populations over 500,000 were required to establish at least one urban sewage treatment plant. During the Ninth Five-Year Plan period, the sewage treatment rate reached 25%, increasing to 46% by 2010, which would require around 1,000 treatment plants. As of now, over 200 prefecture-level cities already have treatment facilities, and nearly 400 more are planned in the coming years. A total investment of 180 billion yuan was allocated for urban sewage control by 2003, with an annual investment of 60 billion yuan starting from 2000, of which 20 billion yuan was dedicated to equipment. Valves, though a small part of this investment, play a critical role, with each medium-sized treatment plant requiring approximately 600 to 800 million yuan in valve-related expenses.
Beyond sewage treatment, water supply projects, utilities, and chemical industries also show high demand. For instance, Beijing alone plans to invest 1.8 trillion yuan by 2008 for the Olympic Games, with most funds directed toward infrastructure. In such projects, the number of valves required is substantial. These figures represent only the domestic market. With China's entry into the global economy, international markets present even greater opportunities. Therefore, leveraging the strengths of China's valve industry and actively participating in the world economy has become essential.
Since the reform and opening-up, China's valve industry has experienced remarkable growth. Thousands of factories produce over 3,000 models and nearly 30,000 specifications of valves. Significant progress has been made in sealing performance, strength, and flow characteristics. Although there was once a common saying among urban water supply associations—"ten valves and nine leaks"—which exaggerated the problem, improvements have since been made. For example, in Chengdu Water Company, the pass rate for valves increased from 72.5% in 1989 to 88.66% in 1996. Modern technologies like ductile iron casting, resin sand processes, austenitic stainless steel shafts, and hard-sealing seats have improved reliability and durability. Some manufacturers have even reached international standards, replacing imported products or exporting abroad.
Despite these advancements, China's overall machinery manufacturing level still lags behind developed countries, so further improvements are needed. Commonly used valves include gate valves, butterfly valves, ball valves, check valves, and others. Gate valves, with their long history, remain widely used, especially for smaller diameters. However, they have disadvantages such as high operating torque and potential cavitation when partially open. Butterfly valves, introduced in the 1930s, are increasingly preferred due to their compact size, light weight, and quick operation. However, rubber-sealed versions can suffer from cavitation and wear if not properly maintained.
Exhaust valves have also evolved, with modern designs offering higher efficiency and better performance compared to older models. Multi-function control valves are gaining popularity due to their versatility in regulating pressure, flow, and other parameters. Two important parameters—flow coefficient and cavitation coefficient—are crucial for valve selection and performance. While advanced countries provide detailed data on these parameters, China still lacks comprehensive information, representing a gap in technical capabilities.
Standardization is another critical area. China has over 19,000 national standards, but many are outdated or not aligned with international practices. Efforts are underway to improve standardization, focusing on transparency, enterprise involvement, and alignment with global benchmarks. In water supply and drainage projects, special valves such as exhaust valves, slow-closing check valves, and anti-pollution valves are essential. Their design must meet strict requirements, including non-toxic coatings for potable water systems and corrosion-resistant materials for wastewater applications.
In conclusion, the valve industry plays a vital role in infrastructure development. Continuous improvement in technology, standardization, and market expansion will be key to meeting growing demands both domestically and internationally.
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