Cryogenic Check Valve

Cryogenic Check Valve – Low-Temperature LNG & Industrial Gas Service

Cryogenic check valves employ special materials, extended bonnets, and low-temperature seat designs for African LNG terminals (Mozambique, Tanzania, Nigeria), industrial gas facilities, and applications handling liquefied gases below -50°C where conventional check valves suffer brittle fracture, seat leakage, or thermal contraction binding. Body materials transition from carbon steel (suitable to -29°C) to low-temperature carbon steel (LCB, LCC to -46°C) to austenitic stainless steel (CF3, CF3M to -196°C) or 5-9% nickel steel for LNG service at -162°C.

Critical African applications: (1) Mozambique and Tanzania LNG export terminals handling methane at -162°C, (2) Nigerian LNG facilities expanding to meet Asian export demand, (3) Egyptian and North African industrial gas plants producing liquid nitrogen, oxygen, argon, (4) South African mining and chemical industries using cryogenic CO₂ and refrigeration systems.

Cryogenic Material Selection by Temperature

-29°C to -46°C: Low-temperature carbon steel (ASTM A352 LCB, LCC)—suitable for propane, ammonia, CO₂. -46°C to -101°C: 300-series stainless steel (CF3, CF3M)—ethylene, LPG. -101°C to -196°C: 300-series stainless or 9% nickel steel—LNG, liquid nitrogen, liquid oxygen. Extended bonnets isolate packing from cryogenic temperatures preventing ice formation and stem seizure.

Seat materials: PTFE unsuitable below -200°C (embrittles), specify PEEK (to -60°C), Kel-F (to -196°C), or metal seats (13Cr, 17-4PH) for full cryogenic range. For African LNG projects requiring API 6D and BS 6364 compliance, consult our cryogenic valve specialists for complete material specifications and impact testing (Charpy V-notch) requirements.

See parent Check Valve category for general selection guidance. Related specialized applications: High-Temperature Check Valve (opposite extreme).