en.Wedoany.com Report on Mar 30th, Recently, the world's first 500 MW Pelton turbine unit spherical valve, independently developed by Dongfang Electric Machinery Co., Ltd. under Dongfang Electric Group, successfully passed a series of factory performance tests for Unit 1 of the Datang Zala Hydropower Station. The spherical valve achieved "zero leakage" in strength pressure resistance and sealing leakage tests, with performance far exceeding contract standards. This marks the completion of all factory R&D and assembly work for the world's largest inlet spherical valve for a single-unit capacity Pelton turbine.
The Datang Zala Hydropower Station is located in Tibet, China, and is characterized by high head, large capacity, and high altitude. The station plans to install two 500 MW Pelton turbine units, with Dongfang Electric Machinery responsible for supplying one set. This project is listed as a national demonstration project for major technological equipment in the energy sector by the National Energy Administration. It is currently the only domestic hydropower project capable of developing 500 MW-class high-head, large-capacity Pelton units and is one of the most challenging Pelton hydropower projects under construction globally.
As a key component of large Pelton turbine units, the spherical valve is responsible for flow passage and emergency shut-off in the water conveyance pipeline to ensure station safety. The Zala Hydropower Station spherical valve has a nominal diameter of 2900 mm, a design pressure of 9 MPa, and a body assembly weight exceeding 300 tons. Its development difficulty ranks first in the global field of inlet spherical valves.
During the development process, the Dongfang Electric Machinery team overcame transportation limitations regarding size and weight by adopting a discrete delivery and on-site assembly model, optimizing the assembly process. The team also broke through technical bottlenecks such as raw material selection, special-shaped casting processes, and sealing reliability, providing support for the stable operation and maintenance of the spherical valve.
Dongfang Electric stated that it will continue to strengthen independent innovation, commit to building more benchmark hydropower projects, and contribute to the construction of a new power automation system and the achievement of low-carbon goals.
