Chinese compressor component manufacturer HuanTian Compressor and Victrex, the supplier of polyaryletherketone (PAEK)-based solutions have jointly developed VICTREX® PEEK valve plates aimed at improving the efficiency and reliability of reciprocating compressors. In a natural gas compressor, for example, valve plates made of VICTREX PEEK 450GL30 can work continuously for twelve months, whereas the steel plates generally fracture after about one month.
The valve plate is a key component in reciprocating compressors with a direct impact on their efficiency and reliability. When steel – with its significantly shorter service life – is used, steel splinters could cause serious damage to the cylinder, piston and piston ring if the valve plate breaks. The use of durable VICTREX PEEK plates can avoid such asset losses in the future and provide end users in the oil and gas industry or in fertiliser production plants with a noticeable added value by reducing downtimes and the associated costs.
“VICTREX PEEK has proved to be the best material to replace stainless steel valve plates. It has enormous potential for use in China’s oil and gas and chemical industry”, explains Zhu Feng, General Manager of Taizhou HuanTian Industrial. The company has teamed up with Victrex to establish a standard for the China Compressor Standard Committee for the use of VICTREX® PEEK 450GL30 and 450CA30 as a valve plate raw material.
