Background
Industrial refrigeration is critical to food cold-chain, chemical processes, warehousing and logistics. Core requirements are fail-safe refrigerant control and high energy-efficiency. Plant operators need a valve that will positively isolate oil-laden, two-phase refrigerant, withstand sub-zero duty and remain maintenance-free for years. GRAT’s split-body electric ball valve was engineered for these exact conditions; its superior shut-off performance and material compatibility make it the preferred choice for Freon service, improving system tightness and reducing energy consumption.
Operating Conditions
Industry: Industrial refrigeration
Industry: Industrial refrigeration
Product: GRAT 2-Pieces Ball Valve
Medium: Freon (gas/liquid) with oil carry-over
Operation: On/Off
Body material: CF8
Ball / stem material: CF8
Seat seal: PTFE + HNBR O-ring
Temperature range: –30 °C … +60 °C
Design pressure: PN 16 (1.6 MPa)
Commissioned: May 2013
Design life: 5–8 years
Control signal: AC 220 V
Product Advantages & Features
The GRAT split-body electric ball valve incorporates several design features specifically for refrigeration duty:
- Cryogenic sealing integrity – PTFE primary seal combined with low-temperature HNBR O-rings maintains bubble-tight shut-off at –30 °C.
- Corrosion-resistant construction – CF8 stainless steel body and trim resist attack from Freon and refrigeration oil.
- High-compatibility actuator – accepts standard AC 220 V on/off signal, includes built-in surge suppression; >100,000 cycle life.
- Compact, pressure-rated body – PN 16 pressure class, low installation footprint, easy system integration.
- Low cost of ownership – modular cartridge design allows rapid seal replacement, minimising downtime.
Performance Results
Since commissioning in May 2013, GRAT valves have been operating in numerous industrial refrigeration plants:
- Service life exceeds specification – many valves have passed the 8-year design life; the longest uninterrupted run is 10 years with zero parts replacement.
- Zero external leakage – maintains tight shut-off under standard conditions, cutting refrigerant losses and improving system COP by 3–5%.
- Extended maintenance intervals – maintenance cycles are >2× longer than those of comparable butterfly or globe valves, reducing maintenance cost by ~40%.
- Strong customer acceptance – specified by major cold-chain logistics and chemical refrigeration projects in China; repeat-purchase rate >90%.
For ten years GRAT split-body electric ball valves have supported China’s refrigeration sector. During this decade we have witnessed domestic industrial control equipment evolve from follower to leader, and we have participated in the transformation of the national cold-chain infrastructure. Reliability remains our primary design criterion and customer value the basis of every innovation. Guided by “Precise Control, Enduring Reliability”, we will continue to integrate IoT and fluid-control technologies to deliver smarter, more efficient and more sustainable solutions for the global refrigeration industry.
