Zhengzhou Success Machinery Co.,ltd - Professional valve manufacturer
News Center
One-stop Solution for Valve Products
News Events
Latest News
Special Considerations for Buried Valves
Release time:
Jul 09,2026
Buried valves must undergo specialized optimization in terms of structural design, corrosion protection, sealing systems, and supporting structures; this is also key to ensuring the long-term, stable operation of underground pipeline networks and reducing future operation and maintenance costs. Drawing on practical engineering experience, this article provides a comprehensive analysis of the unique design and special protective considerations for buried valves.
Special Considerations for Buried Valves
In municipal water supply and drainage systems, gas transmission networks, underground chemical pipeline networks, and long-distance water conveyance projects, buried valves are indispensable core control equipment. Unlike above-ground valves, which are exposed to the open air and operate in environments that are easy to maintain, well-ventilated, and dry, buried valves are deeply buried underground for extended periods and are subjected to harsh operating conditions, including moisture and standing water, soil corrosion, ground subsidence, pressure from debris, and the inability to monitor them in real time.
Buried valves must undergo specialized optimization in terms of structural design, corrosion protection, sealing systems, and supporting structures; this is also key to ensuring the long-term, stable operation of underground pipeline networks and reducing future operation and maintenance costs. Drawing on practical engineering experience, this article provides a comprehensive analysis of the unique design and special protective considerations for buried valves.
First, the overall structure of the valve body has been reinforced. The wall thickness of the valve bodies for underground gate valves, butterfly valves, and ball valves has been increased, and the valve bodies are manufactured using a one-piece casting process, eliminating the need for welded, multi-piece constructions. This prevents valve body cracking, deformation, and leakage caused by minor ground subsidence or external compression. At the same time, the valve body’s exterior has been optimized with rounded transitions, eliminating sharp edges to reduce stress concentration from backfill soil and gravel and prevent localized damage.
Second, the specially designed extended valve stem. This is the most distinctive structural feature of underground valves. All underground valves are equipped with customizable extended valve stems, which, when paired with dedicated operating wells and operating sleeves, extend the operating end to ground level. Additionally, the valve stem features a segmented anti-loosening design, complete with positioning lock nuts and anti-detachment devices, to prevent stem displacement, detachment, and transmission failure caused by soil settlement.
Third, soil corrosion is the primary cause of failure in underground valves. In terms of valve body corrosion protection, we have moved away from conventional paint spraying processes and adopted a multi-layer corrosion protection system. The base layer consists of electrostatic epoxy powder coating; the middle layer is reinforced with an anti-corrosion primer; and the top layer features a wear-resistant, anti-corrosion topcoat. For applications involving corrosive soils in the gas and chemical industries, the valve body is also treated with fluoropolymer or rubber linings to further enhance its corrosion resistance.
Fourth, a fully enclosed sealing structure is adopted. While the stuffing boxes of ordinary above-ground valves are semi-open, allowing for natural ventilation and drying, the stuffing boxes of buried valves feature a fully enclosed, dustproof, and waterproof design. They are equipped with multiple layers of graphite packing and modular sealing rings, as well as waterproof gland nuts at both ends, which completely block groundwater and silt from entering the packing chamber, thereby preventing the packing from hardening due to moisture and causing wear and leakage. Optimized selection of sealing materials. Buried valves prioritize composite sealing materials that are resistant to aging, moisture, and low temperatures, eliminating the use of standard rubber seals.
keywords
Previous Page:
Previous Page:
Follow Us
Zhengzhou Success Machinery Co.,ltd
TEL:+8618595868771
E-mail:sales@successmach.com
Address:98-1 Dengfeng Road, Shangjie District, Zhengzhou City, Henan Province