In the application area of cryogenic technology, the demands on valves are particularly high. GEFA high-performance valves offer customized solutions in extreme cold areas. The specially developed cryogenic valves, including the high-performance butterfly valve HGC and the high-performance ball valve PMT, guarantee reliable functionality and safety at temperatures down to -196°C. These series are ideal for use in processes involving cryogenic media such as liquid gases.

In cryogenic technology, media such as liquefied gases must be safely shut off. These media require particularly resistant and safe valves that are able to withstand extremely low temperatures without losing functionality or tightness.

The main challenges are the selection of suitable materials that do not become brittle under cryogenic conditions and the design of the sealing technology to ensure long-term functionality and process reliability. The demands placed on valves in these applications are immense: they must be robust, low-maintenance and absolutely reliable in order to minimize the probability of impact in these safety-critical processes.

Our high-performance butterfly valve HGC is the ideal choice for applications that require safe and reliable shut-off at cryogenic temperatures. As a double-eccentric butterfly valve with a cryogenic spindle extension, it is specially designed for use down to -196°C. This design ensures that the pressure-bearing components are optimally protected, while at the same time the valve guarantees maximum tightness.

The HGC is available as a wafer, flanged or double flanged valve and can be mounted between flanges to EN 1092 (PN 10/16/25/40) or ASME Cl 150/300. Thanks to its robust design and low-wear switching principle, it can withstand the high process loads and is therefore ideal for use in systems that rely on the safe processing and transportation of cryogenic media.

Our PMT high-performance ball valve sets new standards in cryogenic technology. This 1-part, laser-welded version made of 1.4404 stainless steel was specially developed for use in cryogenic processes where media such as liquefied gases are processed.

An outstanding feature of the PMT ball valve is the spring-loaded seat ring system, which enables a constant torque in the switching behavior even at temperatures down to -196°C. In addition, this valve has an integrated pressure relief system, a blow-out-proof switching shaft and a virtually dead space-free design. This not only ensures a high level of process reliability, but also minimizes the risk of leaks.

The pre-stressed stuffing box seal in accordance with TA-Luft also ensures that no unwanted gases escape, which is particularly important in safety-critical systems. This combination of advanced technology and carefully selected materials makes the PMT a reliable and durable solution for demanding cryogenic applications.

With our high-performance valves from the HGC and PMT series, we offer you high-quality solutions for use in cryogenic media. Both products have been developed to meet the extreme requirements of cryogenics while ensuring maximum safety and reliability. Our cryogenic valves are used worldwide in a wide range of applications and have proven to be reliable companions in demanding processes.

If you would like to find out more about our cryogenic valves or require technical data on our products, you can find further information on our website. We look forward to providing you with customized solutions for your specific applications.

Due to the COVID pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the tense situation on the global commodity markets, supply chains have been interrupted and disrupted in many parts of the world. As a result, production stoppages, delayed overseas deliveries and insufficient transport capacities are among the daily challenges faced by many companies.

Our demand for short-term delivery capability and adherence to delivery dates has always been extremely high and is of course particularly important in the current situation. Customers who rely on just-in-time procurement or are dependent on fast deliveries now need a strong and well-organized partner - we are optimally prepared for you and your projects, as our flanged ball valves are also available from stock in large quantities.

Our FG is a two-piece ball valve with floating ball, for installation between flanges in accordance with DIN EN 1092, in sizes DN 15 - DN 100. Pressure ratings and flange ratings dependent on nominal size up to PN 40.

Our flanged ball valve is ideally suited for use in industrial, chemical and petrochemical applications. The ball valve is permanently leak-tight (leakage rate A) and the FireSafe version also offers safety in the event of fire. The high-quality stainless steel and the seals tailored to the application ensure a significant increase in service life, even with demanding media. Thanks to the corresponding approvals and certificates (FDA), the ball valves are also used in the food and beverage industry.

The quality of our FG flanged ball valves is proven by a large number of certificates and approvals. It goes without saying that the ball valves comply with the Pressure Equipment Directive (CE). In addition, the ball valve can be supplied in a FireSafe version, can be declared compliant with the ATEX directive and a TA-Luft-tested stem seal is also possible. A food version with FDA-approved sealing materials and an oxygen version with BAM-approved materials are also available - and all of this is available in large quantities from stock in Dortmund! Extremely short delivery times are therefore guaranteed.

Further product information can be found here:

Flanged ball valve FG

In industrial pipework systems, especially in applications with liquids, water hammer is a frequent and serious problem. A water hammer occurs when the flow of a medium is abruptly stopped or changed. In this blog post, we look at the problem of water hammer, highlight the challenges that shut-off valves have to overcome and show how GEFA butterfly valves can help reduce the risks. You will also learn more about GEFA's water hammer test, which is demonstrated in a descriptive video.

Water hammer occurs when there are abrupt changes in the flow rate in pipework. Common causes are:

• Sudden closing or opening of valves
• Pump failures or starts
• Changes in the direction of flow

These rapid changes result in high pressure waves travelling along the pipeline and hitting barriers. The effects of these pressure waves can be devastating and include:

• Pipe bursts: The enormous forces can cause pipes to break or develop leaks.
• Damage to valves: The sudden change in pressure can damage or destroy valves, seals and other valves.
• System failures: A serious pressure surge can cause the entire piping system to fail, resulting in production

We have made a water hammer video to draw attention to this undesirable effect and show how seriously we take the issue. Our expertise enables us to develop solutions to minimise such risks. This video impressively demonstrates the measures that can be taken to protect the system from pressure surges.

Superior technology and design

GEFA butterfly valves are also designed to master special challenges. Their design is based on decades of experience and development in the field of process technology.

The butterfly valves are made of high-quality materials and have precise control mechanisms that allow them to open and close precisely. The slower a butterfly valve closes, the lower the effect of the pressure surge. This significantly reduces the risk of damage to pipework and valves.

Efficiency in practice

GEFA butterfly valves have proven to be extremely reliable in practice. Numerous industrial applications, from chemical plants to water treatment plants, benefit from their robust design and high performance.

Another advantage is the ease of maintenance. The valves are designed so that they can be easily inspected and maintained. This creates optimisation potential, whereby costs such as consequential costs due to system downtime and efficiency losses during operation can be reduced.

Pressure surges pose a considerable challenge in industrial pipework systems. With the help of many years of experience and extensive expertise in this area, GEFA can make your process safer. The combination of innovative design, high material quality and precise control makes our butterfly valves an indispensable component in modern industrial plants.

If you would like to find out more about our butterfly valves, take a look at our product area or contact us directly.

Weitere Produktinformationen finden Sie hier:

GEFA Butterfly Valves

Many customers often focus solely on the price of the product, which frequently leads to long and complex supply chains around the globe. Pandemics, wars and global crises drastically exacerbate these problems. Nowadays, supply chains are disrupted or interrupted in many areas. Delivery difficulties due to lockdowns, cut-off supply routes or sanctions are no longer a rarity and must be taken into account as a risk factor in your planning.

Customers who rely on just-in-time deliveries in particular are now facing enormous challenges. This makes it all the more important to have a strong and well-organized partner at your side - and that's exactly what we at GEFA Processtechnik GmbH can offer you!

Rely on our expertise - in us you will find a partner who is well prepared for the current challenges and can help you to minimize the risks in your supply chain. Together, we will ensure that your production continues to run smoothly - even in times of global uncertainty.

As a manufacturer based in Dortmund, we rely on extensive warehousing and a proactive ordering system to ensure that we are able to deliver at all times. This allows us to react flexibly to unexpected fluctuations in demand and avoid bottlenecks.

We source over 50 percent of our parts from Germany and neighboring countries. This regional procurement reduces our dependency on international supply chains and minimizes the risk of transport delays.

Our production takes place directly on site at our Dortmund location, which not only shortens production times, but also enables a high degree of flexibility and rapid adaptability to changes.

Thanks to our numerous assembly stations and high capacity of fitters, we are able to guarantee fast and efficient deliveries. We can deliver stock items within 24 hours thanks to our large warehouse. This ensures that you receive the materials you need quickly and reliably and can continue with your projects without delay.

We would like to give you a remarkable insight into the impressive development of GEFA, which has become a true success story over the years. As you know, a picture is worth a thousand words.

The top picture shows Hall 2 of GEFA Processtechnik from 2010, which was already the centrepiece of valve assembly back then. If you now take a look at the picture below, which was taken from the same perspective in 2024, you will recognise the evolution we have undergone in the last 14 years.

The increased number of assembly stations is evidence of increased productivity and efficiency. But that's not all: the number of valves, parts and components in stock has increased enormously, a clear sign of our customers' increased confidence in our high-quality industrial valves.

This image comparison illustrates not only the quantitative progress, but also the qualitative change we have undergone. It is the result of hard work, innovative thinking and the tireless efforts of every team member. As a proud company, we are deeply impressed by this development and look forward to continuing to work on our mission together with our customers and partners: To always offer you the best.

The GEFA seat ring impresses with its precise workmanship and excellent dimensional stability. This ensures optimum sealing and reliable performance, even under demanding conditions.

Our specially developed elastomer compounds minimize mechanical stress to an absolute minimum. This reduces wear and significantly extends the service life of the seat ring - for maximum efficiency and lower maintenance costs.

Further product information can be found here:

Two-piece butterfly valves

Industrial aluminum oxide production places extreme demands on the components used. Industrial valves in particular are exposed to high abrasive and corrosive loads, which can lead to faster wear and more frequent replacement. An inefficient choice of materials and designs for industrial valves such as throttle valves not only has a negative impact on plant availability, but also causes considerable costs and operational interruptions.

How can the service life of the throttle valves used be significantly increased and the requirements of this demanding medium be met? The answer lies in innovative solutions such as the GEFA throttle butterfly valve with ceramic lining, which has been specially developed for the toughest conditions.

Optimized service life for the toughest operating conditionsAluminium oxide extraction is a technically demanding process. Typical operating conditions include:

• Medium: Aluminum hydroxide mixture with 17 % sodium hydroxide solution (NaOH)
• Solids content: 600 g/L
• Temperature: +70 °C
• Volume flow: 600-800 m³/h
• Control position of the valve: 25-55°

These conditions are characterized by a high proportion of solids, the chemical aggressiveness of the caustic soda solution and a large number of abrasive particles. Conventional butterfly valves show severe signs of wear after a short time, particularly on the body and the valve disk, which severely impairs their functionality and service life.

To overcome these challenges, GEFA has developed a throttle valve with a design that enables a significant improvement in service life. The core of this further development is the use of high-performance ceramics (Al₂O₃ > 99.7 %) in the body lining.

Construction and materials

• Body lining: High-performance ceramic Al₂O₃ (> 99.7 %) for extreme wear resistance
• Disc and stem: Made from ledeburitic 12 % chrome steel, secondary hardened to approx. 55 HRC for maximum robustness
• Actuator system: Pneumatic quarter-turn actuator (double-acting), electropneumatic positioner with 4-20 mA input signal

These material and design components were specifically selected to efficiently meet the specific requirements of aluminum oxide extraction.

The high-performance ceramic is extremely resistant to abrasive particles in the medium. While the body of throttle valves without ceramic inserts is subject to significant wear, the ceramic lining offers virtually wear-free performance, even when used intensively.

The control position of the throttle valve has been designed in such a way that abrasive material is directed away from the body. This minimizes the load on the entire system.

Thanks to the combination of materials, the service life of the throttle valve has already been increased many times over during use. Initial practical tests have shown an operating time of at least 3500 hours without impairing the functionality of the body or the disk.

The extended operating time not only leads to a reduction in the frequency of replacement, but also lowers operating costs in the long term. Fewer maintenance intervals also mean higher system availability.

The introduction of the GEFA throttle valve with ceramic lining impressively demonstrates how innovative material selection and targeted design changes can withstand even the toughest operating conditions. The combination of high wear resistance, extended service life and optimized functionality makes this product an ideal solution for demanding industrial applications.

For engineers and operators of modern systems, this not only means a sustainable increase in efficiency, but also a considerable economic advantage.

Are you interested in further information or possible applications? Contact the GEFA team to find out more about the advantages of the ceramic thruttle valves. Together we will find the right solution for your specific requirements.

More product information can be found here:

Throttle valve KGT