Infrastructure construction is a core focus of our country's economic development. Water supply and drainage projects, especially large-scale sewage treatment initiatives, are gaining momentum with the WTO's entry and the ongoing Western Development Program, making the valve market highly promising. Despite having nearly 120 years of history in water services—seven years earlier than Japan—there remains a significant gap in infrastructure that needs to be addressed. Currently, more than half of the 700-plus cities in China suffer from water shortages, with over 100 cities facing severe water scarcity. The average 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 the Three Rivers (Liaohe, Huaihe, and Haihe). By 2003, all 640 county-level cities with populations over 500,000 were required to build at least one urban sewage treatment plant. During the Ninth Five-Year Plan, the sewage treatment rate reached 25%, rising to 46% by 2010, with an estimated 1,000 treatment plants in operation. Currently, more than 200 prefecture-level cities have such facilities, and nearly 400 more are planned for the next few years.
By 2003, China planned to invest 180 billion yuan in controlling urban sewage. From 2000 onward, an annual investment of 60 billion yuan was allocated, with equipment costs reaching 20 billion annually. Valves, although a small part of this investment, play a critical role. A medium-sized sewage treatment plant requires approximately 600-800 million yuan in valve investments. Additionally, demand for valves in water supply, utilities, and chemical industries is also growing.
By 2008, Beijing alone planned to invest 1.8 trillion yuan for hosting the Olympic Games, with most funds directed toward infrastructure. This highlights the massive scale of valve usage in large-scale construction projects. The domestic market is just the beginning; entering the global market through WTO membership opens up even greater opportunities. With the advantages of China's valve industry, it's essential to actively participate in the global economy.
Since the reform and opening-up, China's valve industry has experienced significant growth. Thousands of factories now produce over 3,000 models and nearly 30,000 specifications. Improvements in sealing performance, strength, and flow characteristics have been notable. In the past, the saying “ten valves and nine leaks†reflected poor quality, but today, advancements like ductile iron casting, stainless steel shafts, and anti-corrosion coatings have significantly improved reliability. Some manufacturers now produce valves that match or exceed international standards, replacing imports or exporting globally.
Despite these improvements, the overall level of China's machinery manufacturing industry still lags behind advanced countries, leaving room for further enhancement.
Commonly used valves in water supply and drainage systems include gate valves, butterfly valves, ball valves, check valves, and others. Gate valves, with their long history, remain popular for smaller diameters. They offer good sealing but have high operating torque and are not ideal for flow control. Butterfly valves, on the other hand, are lighter, faster, and easier to install, making them suitable for larger diameters. However, they can experience cavitation if improperly used.
Exhaust valves and multi-function control valves are also important in specific applications. For example, high-speed exhaust valves have replaced older models, offering better performance and reducing water hammer effects. Multi-function control valves combine various functions, allowing precise regulation of pressure and flow.
Two key parameters—flow coefficient and cavitation coefficient—are crucial for valve selection. These values help determine the valve's performance under different conditions. Unfortunately, China lacks detailed data on these parameters, which is a gap compared to developed countries.
Standardization is also a critical area. China has over 19,000 national standards, but only 25% are equivalent to international ones. More work is needed to align with global practices, especially in specialized valve production.
In water supply and drainage projects, special valves like slow-closing check valves, flow control valves, and silencers are essential. Their inner walls must be non-toxic for potable water, while sewage valves need corrosion resistance. Proper installation and maintenance are vital to ensure long-term performance and prevent issues like cavitation and vibration.
Overall, the Chinese valve industry is on a positive trajectory, with continuous improvements in technology, standardization, and global competitiveness. As infrastructure development continues, the demand for reliable and efficient valves will only grow, offering new opportunities for innovation and expansion.
Symons Cone Crusher,Short Head Cone Crusher,Closed Circuit Cone Crusher,Precision Cone Crusher
Jiangsu Zhongyou Machinery Co.,Ltd , https://www.jszycr.com