Enabling Efficient PV Wafer Production - GRAT Electric V-Port Ball Valve in Heat Exchanger Temperature Control

Application Background

With the rapid global development of the photovoltaic industry, higher requirements have been placed on the production efficiency and quality stability of core materials such as silicon wafers. In the silicon wafer production process, the temperature control accuracy of the heat exchanger system directly affects the quality and energy consumption of the final product. A photovoltaic material manufacturer needed to precisely and rapidly linearly regulate the flow of thermal oil in its heat exchangers to achieve stable control of the process temperature. To meet this need, GRAT provided an Electric V-Port Control Ball Valve solution, fulfilling the customer’s core requirement for system control precision with its exceptional regulating performance.

Operating Conditions

Product Advantages & Features

Addressing the high demands for temperature control in this project, the GRAT Electric V-Port Control Ball Valve demonstrated the following core advantages and characteristics:

1. High-Precision Regulation and Control

   • V-Port Design: The ball features a unique V-shaped notch that forms a precise equal percentage characteristic with the seat, correlating flow rate to valve opening. This allows stable operation even at minimal openings and enables precise flow control, effectively avoiding the instability common in standard ball valves at low openings. It is particularly suitable for applications requiring continuous, precise flow regulation.

2. Excellent Sealing and Durability

   • PTFE Seals: The valve seat uses reinforced PTFE material, offering excellent chemical inertness and self-lubrication. This ensures reliable long-term sealing performance against the thermal oil medium at 120°C, with a high leakage class rating, effectively preventing internal leakage.
   • SUS204 Body: The valve body is made of SUS204 stainless steel, providing good mechanical strength and moderate corrosion resistance, ensuring a long service life in industrial environments.

3. Strong Compatibility and Stability

   • Multi-Function Input Signal: The actuator supports both 4-20mA current and 0-10V voltage signal inputs, allowing flexible integration with most industrial automation control systems (e.g., DCS, PLC), simplifying installation.
   • AC220V Standard Power Supply: Utilizes universal AC220V power, facilitating easy connection to site power sources and reducing installation and wiring complexity.
   • High-Reliability Actuator: The built-in servo amplifier ensures rapid response, precise positioning, and includes overload protection. It operates stably with low maintenance requirements.

Performance Results

Since the GRAT Electric V-Port Control Ball Valve was put into operation in the heat exchanger system at this photovoltaic enterprise, system performance has significantly improved:

• Significantly Improved Control Accuracy: The outlet temperature fluctuation of the heat exchanger was strictly controlled within ±1°C of the set value, providing an extremely stable thermal environment for silicon wafer production, directly improving product yield.
• More Responsive System: The valve responds quickly to control signals, enabling timely adjustment of the opening based on system demands, effectively suppressing temperature overshoot or undershoot caused by load changes.
• Stable and Reliable Operation: Under continuous operating conditions, the valve has not experienced any issues such as sticking, internal leakage, or control failure, demonstrating its exceptional durability and stability, significantly reducing customer maintenance costs and downtime risk.
• Energy Efficiency Optimization: Precise temperature control avoids energy waste, helping the customer achieve energy savings and consumption reduction in the production process while improving product quality.

The GRAT Electric V-Port Control Ball Valve is an ideal choice for industrial fluid control, especially in heat exchange applications with stringent requirements for regulation accuracy. Its outstanding control performance, reliable quality, and broad compatibility provide strong support for process automation and energy efficiency improvement across various industries, including photovoltaics, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals.