J-VALVES · Ball Valve Manufacturer · Wenzhou, China info@j-valves.com +86-13600648865

INDUSTRY SOLUTIONS·LNG & CRYOGENIC

LNG & Cryogenic Ball Valves

Extended bonnet cryogenic ball valves tested to -196°C in our own low-temperature laboratory - for LNG liquefaction, LNG carriers, regasification terminals, air separation and industrial gas service.

API 6D

API 607 / ISO 10497 fire-safe

ISO 15848-1 low emission

NACE MR0175

ISO 9001 / 14001 / 45001

EN 10204 3.1

-196°C

Cryogenic test capability

MSS SP-134

Extended bonnet reference

DN15-DN1400

Size range 1/2 to 56 inch

Class 150-2500

PN10-PN420

Liquid N2 / He

Cooling systems in lab

2 plants

Wenzhou, China since 2018
Home index LNG & Cryogenic Ball Valves

LNG & Cryogenic

Cryogenic Engineering That Holds at -196°C

J-VALVES manufactures cryogenic ball valves for LNG liquefaction, LNG carriers, regasification terminals and industrial gas service - floating and trunnion mounted types with extended bonnets, DN15 to DN1400, tested to -196°C in our in-house low-temperature laboratory.

Cryogenic service leaves no margin for error. Seat leakage, stem icing and brittle fracture are the three failure modes that decide whether a plant runs or shuts down, and every design detail in our cryogenic ball valves - material selection, extended bonnet geometry, packing stack and tolerance compensation - exists to eliminate them.

Testing is where cryogenic claims become facts. Our laboratory cools valves step by step with liquid nitrogen and helium circulation, then measures seat leakage, stem sealing and operating torque at cryogenic temperature - records that ship with every cryogenic order.
J-VALVES in-house cryogenic test laboratory in Wenzhou with liquid nitrogen system for cooling valves to cryogenic temperature
Cryogenic testing laboratory with liquid nitrogen system
Stainless steel cryogenic trunnion ball valves with extended bonnets and flanged ends prepared for LNG service
Cryogenic trunnion ball valves prepared for LNG service

GLOBAL MARKET ACCESS

Can You Sell Our Valves in Your Market?

Market access is a commercial question, not a technical footnote. This is how we support the compliance route for the main destination markets - confirm your market and application with us and we will state in writing exactly which certificates apply.
Target marketWhat your market usually requiresWhat J-VALVES providesEvidence in the documentation package
European UnionCE marking under the Pressure Equipment Directive, material certificates to EN 10204, technical fileCE / PED conforming valves, EU-format material certificates, declaration of conformity and technical file supportCE declaration of conformity, EN 10204 3.1 certificates, pressure test records
United KingdomUKCA marking as the post-Brexit route for pressure equipmentUKCA-aligned marking and documentation support where both UK and EU markets are servedUKCA declaration and supporting technical documentation
North America (US / Canada)API product standards, ASME B16.34 design, CRN registration in some Canadian provincesAPI 6D, API 608, API 600 and API 602 products, ASME-compliant design, CRN documentation supportAPI certification records, ASME design data, CRN submission support
Gulf and Middle EastAPI-certified products, operator vendor listing, SASO / G-mark where applicableAPI certified products, vendor-listing support, NACE MR0175 sour service materials, third-party inspectionAPI certificates, NACE material records, TPI reports
Russia and CISEAC / TR CU conformity for customs union entryEAC conforming products and documentation for the customs union marketEAC certificates and technical passports
Latin AmericaLocal conformity where regulated (for example INMETRO in Brazil), plus full project documentationProject documentation packages, third-party inspection coordination, translated labelling on requestConformity support documentation, TPI reports, translated labels
Australia and Asia-PacificProject specifications, water authority approvals for potable service, AS alignmentAS-aligned design review, potable-water material options, complete project documentationMaterial and coating certificates, potable-water compliant material records
Certification scope varies by product, size and market. We confirm in writing which certificates apply to your specific product and destination before you order - we never assume an approval covers a product it does not.

SELECTION GUIDE

Cryogenic Valve Selection Matrix

Construction selection by cryogenic application - the basis of our technical review for LNG and industrial gas enquiries.
ApplicationRecommended valveBody / trim materialDesign reference
LNG liquefaction & send-out linesTrunnion mounted, extended bonnetA351 CF8M, A182 F316, A352 LC3API 6D, ISO 28921-1, BS 6364
LNG storage tank piping & BOGTrunnion or floating, extended bonnetCF8M / F316 with reinforced PCTFE seatAPI 6D, MSS SP-134
LNG carrier cargo & fuel systemsFloating / trunnion, compact executionCF8M, antistatic design, fire-safeAPI 608 / API 6D, API 607
Regasification terminal send-outTrunnion, metal or PTFE seatF316 / CF8M, low-leakage seat optionsAPI 6D, ISO 15848-1
Air separation & LN2 distributionFloating or trunnion, extended bonnetF316 / CF8M, cleaned for oxygen service on requestAPI 608, ISO 28921-1
Cryogenic test / pilot skidsFloating, small bore, instrumentedSS316 body and trimAPI 608, project test procedure
LNG fueling & satellite plantsFloating, compact, actuatedCF8M with PCTFE seatAPI 608, ISO 5211

Applications

Cryogenic Ball Valve Applications

Class 150-2500 · -196°C service

LNG Liquefaction & Terminals

Trunnion and floating cryogenic ball valves for liquefaction trains, storage tank piping, boil-off gas handling and send-out metering lines at import and regasification terminals. Extended bonnets, low-leakage seats and cryogenic test records support plant start-up without leakage-driven delays.
Extended bonnet per MSS SP-134 practice
CF8M / F316 bodies and trims
ISO 15848-1 low-emission packing options
Cryogenic test record to -196°C with each valve

Shipboard · compact · fire-safe

LNG Carriers & Fuel Systems

Extended bonnet ball valves for LNG carrier cargo systems and LNG-fueled vessel fuel supply lines. Compact executions suit shipboard installation, and fire-safe certification plus antistatic design meet the safety expectations of classification society review.


Compact trunnion and floating bodies
Fire-safe to API 607 / ISO 10497
Antistatic ball-stem continuity
Marine-grade coating and marking

ASU · -196°C · cleanliness

Industrial Gas & LN2 Distribution

Cryogenic ball valves for air separation units and liquid nitrogen or oxygen distribution, with oxygen-service cleaning and degreasing available where the medium requires it. Extended bonnets and low-temperature materials keep operation smooth through repeated cool-down cycles.
Oxygen-service cleaning on request
F316 / CF8M wetted parts
Low-leakage seat options
Torque measured at cryogenic temperature

1/2inch to 36inch · fast delivery

Small-Scale LNG & Fueling

Ball valves for LNG fueling stations, satellite plants and peak-shaving storage, where delivery speed matters as much as cryogenic performance. Standard sizes are produced from stocked low-temperature materials and shipped with complete cryogenic test documentation.
Stocked materials for fast delivery
Actuated options with fail-safe configuration
Full cryogenic test documentation
Compact bonnet arrangements for skid builds

Engineering

Cryogenic Engineering Decisions That Matter

01

Extended Bonnet Design

A lengthened bonnet column keeps stem packing far from the cold medium, maintaining seal elasticity above 0°C and preventing stem icing that would otherwise jam operation. Bonnet length is calculated per size, class and insulation thickness.

02

Low-Temperature Materials and Seats

SS304/316, LF2/LCC low-temperature carbon steel and nickel alloy bodies with reinforced PTFE or low-leakage metal seats that compensate for thermal contraction between ambient and -196°C.

03

Proven by In-House Testing

Our low-temperature laboratory cools each valve stepwise to -196°C using liquid nitrogen and helium circulation, then measures seat leakage, stem sealing and operating torque at temperature - every cryogenic order ships with test records.

Technical Detail

Cryogenic Design Rules We Apply

These are the engineering decisions that separate a valve that survives -196°C from one that leaks in the first cool-down.
ItemWhat we do
Extended bonnet lengthBonnet column sized per size, class and insulation thickness so stem packing stays above 0°C, keeping seal elasticity and preventing ice formation around the stem - referenced to MSS SP-134 practice
Materials at temperatureAustenitic stainless (CF8M, F316), low-temperature carbon steel (LCB, LC3, LF2) and nickel steels selected for impact toughness at service temperature, with impact test records where specified
Seat and seal designReinforced PTFE or PCTFE seats for tight shutoff with metal backup, or metal seated designs where fire-safe and high-cycle duty demand it; seat loading designed to compensate thermal contraction
Antistatic and fire-safeBall-stem antistatic spring maintaining electrical continuity, and fire-safe construction to API 607 / ISO 10497 for hydrocarbon cryogenic service
Moisture and ice controlAssembly in controlled conditions, dry nitrogen purging and dew-point verification before shipment to prevent internal ice formation on first cool-down
Cryogenic test protocolStepwise cool-down to -196°C, seat leak measurement at temperature, stem seal check, operating torque measurement, controlled warm-up and drying before packing

Project Experience

Cryogenic Project Experience

The references below follow our project-record structure. Replace or extend with current project data before publishing.

LNG · Trunnion · Cryogenic test

Cryogenic trunnion ball valves for an LNG project

Challenge
Valves had to hold tight shutoff after repeated cool-down cycles to LNG temperature, with documented cryogenic test evidence for the operator's pre-commissioning review.
Solution
CF8M trunnion bodies with extended bonnets sized for the insulation thickness, reinforced PCTFE seats with metal backup, dry nitrogen purging before shipment, and stepwise cryogenic testing to -196°C with seat leakage and torque records.
Result
Valves commissioned without leakage issues at start-up; cryogenic test records accepted for the plant pre-commissioning file.

LNG carrier · Fire-safe · Antistatic

Extended bonnet ball valves for LNG carrier cargo systems

Challenge
Shipboard installation required compact extended-bonnet valves with fire-safe certification, antistatic continuity and marine-grade external protection.
Solution
Compact trunnion and floating cryogenic valves with calculated bonnet lengths, antistatic ball-stem springs, API 607 fire-safe construction and marine coating system with documented DFT checks.
Result
Accepted by the yard and classification inspector; repeat packages supplied for follow-up vessel newbuildings.

ASU · Oxygen service · Cleaning

Cryogenic ball valves for an air separation unit

Challenge
Oxygen and liquid nitrogen service demanded cleanliness, low-temperature material integrity and reliable operation through frequent cool-down and warm-up cycles.
Solution
F316 bodies and trims with oxygen-service cleaning and degreasing, extended bonnets, low-leakage seat design, and cryogenic torque measurement to confirm operability at temperature.
Result
Valves entered service with no cleanliness-related issues and documented torque data for the maintenance team.

Risk Control

Cryogenic Failure Modes and How We Prevent Them

Failure modeRoot causeJ-VALVES countermeasure
Seat leakage after cool-downDifferent thermal contraction rates between ball, seat and body opening the sealing contactSpring-energized or backed seat design with pre-load calculated for the temperature range; seat leak test performed at cryogenic temperature, not only at ambient
Stem icing and jammingMoisture freezing around the stem and packing area in a short bonnetExtended bonnet geometry keeping packing above 0°C, dry nitrogen purging and dew-point verification, and insulation guidance in the O&M manual
Brittle fracture of body or trimMaterial not qualified for low-temperature impact toughnessAustenitic stainless or low-temperature carbon steel with impact test records; material certificate traceable to heat number and test temperature
Packing leakage on thermal cyclingPacking relaxation as the stem column contracts and expandsLive-loaded gland arrangement and packing selected for cryogenic cycling, with stem seal verification during the cryogenic test
Ice blockage inside the valve cavityResidual moisture in the cavity freezing and obstructing ball movementControlled assembly conditions, dry nitrogen purging before packing, sealed and desiccated end protection for shipment
Incorrect actuator torque at temperatureActuator sized from ambient torque data onlyOperating torque measured at cryogenic temperature and reported to the actuator supplier; actuator selection with safety factor verified for cold start

Quality

Cryogenic Testing and Quality Control

Cryogenic orders pass both the standard pressure test sequence and the low-temperature qualification below.

01 Cryogenic Material Performance Verification

Chemical composition, mechanical properties and impact toughness verification for low-temperature materials, with heat-number traceability to EN 10204 3.1 certificates.

02 Machining & Assembly Inspection

Dimensional inspection, seat alignment and stem torque measurement; assembly performed under controlled cleanliness conditions for cryogenic service.

03 Ambient Body & Seat Leakage Test

Type testing shall be performed with valve fully immersed in liquid nitrogen at -196°C, including cold operational cycling, cold seat tightness test and helium leak detection, in accordance with ISO 28921.

04 Drying & Nitrogen Purge

Internal drying and dry nitrogen purging with dew-point verification to prevent ice formation on first cool-down.

05 Step Cooling to -196°C

Stepwise cool-down using liquid nitrogen with controlled cooling rate to avoid thermal shock; temperature monitored and recorded throughout.

06 Cryogenic Seat & Torque Test

Seat leakage measurement, stem seal inspection and operating torque measurement at cryogenic temperature, with data recorded per valve serial number.

07 Warm-Up, Drying & Recheck

Controlled warm-up, moisture removal and post-test visual and functional check before final acceptance.

08 Final Inspection & Document Package

Final inspection, end protection, marking verification and compilation of the documentation package including cryogenic test records.
J-VALVES CNC machining workshop for ball valve bodies and balls
CNC machining workshop - ball valve bodies and balls
Fully welded ball valve production line in J-VALVES factory
Fully welded ball valve production line
Hydraulic pressure test bench for valves up to Class 2500
Hydraulic pressure test bench up to Class 2500
Physical and chemical laboratory for PMI and material verification
Physical & chemical laboratory - PMI and material verification
Extended bonnet cryogenic ball valve under -196°C testing in the J-VALVES low-temperature laboratory, Wenzhou plant
Low-temperature laboratory testing to -196°C

Standards

Cryogenic Standards and Qualifications

ISO 28921-1 — Industrial valves - isolation valves for low-temperature applications: design, materials and testing requirements for cryogenic service.
BS 6364 — Specification for valves for cryogenic service - extended bonnet, material and test requirements widely referenced in LNG project specifications.
MSS SP-134 — Valves for cryogenic service, including requirements for extended bonnet dimensions and orientation - the practical reference for bonnet length.
API 6D / API 608 — Design, testing and marking of pipeline and process ball valves - the base product standards for our cryogenic range.
API 607 / ISO 10497 — Fire-safe type testing for quarter-turn valves used in hydrocarbon cryogenic service such as LNG.
ISO 15848-1 — Fugitive emission qualification for stem sealing, with class and temperature range stated on the certificate.
ISO 9001 / ISO 14001 / ISO 45001 — Management systems covering both J-VALVES plants where cryogenic valves are manufactured and tested.

Deliverables

Documentation Package for Cryogenic Orders

Cryogenic test report with cool-down curve and seat leakage data
Operating torque record at cryogenic temperature
EN 10204 3.1 material certificates with impact test values
High-pressure gas seat test
Dew-point / purging record before packing
Dimensional inspection report
ITP with witness and hold points
Fire-safe and low-emission certificates where applicable
Operation & maintenance manual with cool-down guidance
Packing list with end protection specification

Technical Support

Talk to the Engineer Who Will Test Your Cryogenic Valves

LNG and cryogenic enquiries are handled directly by our project engineer and sales manager. Send your service conditions - medium, temperature, size, class and insulation - and you will receive a technical proposal covering valve construction, bonnet length, materials and cryogenic test scope, usually within 24 hours on working days.

Technical response within 24 hours on working days

Bonnet length and materials proposed against your insulation and service

Cryogenic test scope defined before quotation

Third-party witnessing of cryogenic tests welcomed

In-house low-temperature laboratory to -196°C

Pneumatic actuated cryogenic ball valves with extended bonnets in final assembly at the J-VALVES Wenzhou workshop

FAQ

LNG & Cryogenic Ball Valve FAQ

What makes a ball valve suitable for LNG service?

An LNG ball valve needs low-temperature materials (stainless steel, low-temperature carbon steel or nickel alloys), an extended bonnet that keeps stem packing above 0 degrees C, antistatic and fire-safe design, and cryogenic testing that proves seat tightness at -196 degrees C. J-VALVES cryogenic ball valves combine all four, tested in our own low-temperature laboratory.

How does J-VALVES test cryogenic ball valves?

Which LNG applications do you supply ball valves for?

How long should the extended bonnet be?

Do you supply metal seated cryogenic ball valves?

What is the difference between -196°C testing and -162°C LNG service temperature?

How do you prevent moisture and ice problems before shipment?

Can cryogenic testing be witnessed by our inspector?

Get a Factory Quote

Send your specification, valve list or drawing set - technical proposal and quotation within 24 hours on working days.