OHL Gutermuth has had special valves produced for a research project, that can withstand temperatures of up to +2000 °C. The hot gas valves are required by the Chinese Institute of Thermophysics for a test bench for testing aircraft engines.
For a number of years now, OHL Gutermuth has been working with a Chinese business partner whose latest research project requires the construction of two special hot gas valves. The professors responsible have entrusted OHL Gutermuth with the manufacture of the special valves. It took almost 1.5 years from the time the order was placed to the final production and delivery to the warehouses in Altenstadt in December 2023, because OHL Gutermuth sets itself the highest standards when it comes to choosing its production partners. The Altenstadt-based company is a global player that has made a name for itself by supplying and producing quality industrial valves for markets ranging from North and South America to Europe and India. For the project of the Chinese institute, OHL has been working with a renowned manufacturer for the first time. This collaboration has proved to be a great success, because the partnership provides OHL with an ideal basis for the joint realisation of future projects.
Functionality at +2000 °C
The hot gas valves from a manufacturer are already being used successfully in Europe to test turbines, because the design is based on a tried and tested principle. The hot gas valves, which were specially manufactured and modified for the thermophysical project, have a nominal width of DN 280, and are designed for gas pressures up to a maximum of 40 bar, temperatures up to 2,000 °C and gas flow rates up to 70 kg/s.
Cooling Water System
The high-performance valves are completed with a special hydraulic unit. One part of the hydraulic apparatus is positioned next to the valve, while the second component is located below it. This includes a highly complex cooling system. The cooling water supply system on which the valve is mounted is equipped with various sensors to measure the flow rate and temperature.
January 2024 in Beijing
Two weeks before Christmas, the two hot gas valves were still in the OHL warehouses, but shortly before the holiday period, they were sent off on their journey to Asia. The managing director, Professional Engineer Wolfgang Röhrig will be travelling practically right behind the OHL valves: in January, the managing partner will once again fly to China, provide on-site support for the research project and visit the local OHL office in Beijing.