Cover Story
Green transitions and technologies
OHL is helping drive the next wave of energy transformation, from green hydrogen to solar aviation fuels. OHL has played a pivotal role in the world’ s largest Concentrated Solar Power( CSP) plant in Dubai. In this installation, sunlight is concentrated to create temperatures as high as 1000 ° C, which is then used as process heat to power reactors or generate steam. More recently, OHL valves were used in the first Swiss pilot plant producing synthetic aviation fuel using solar energy and atmospheric CO2. The process, which is a combination of solar thermochemistry and biomass inputs, is seen as a promising route to decarbonise aviation and shipping. To handle the challenges of Sustainable Aviation Fuel( SAF) production, OHL developed hightemperature shut-off valves that maintain metal-to-metal tightness at up to 1500 ° C. This is an extreme service for valves designed for tight shut-off and reliability over multiple cycles.“ We developed our first solar fuel valve almost 20 years ago,” explains Mr Röhrig.“ Now, with the push for sustainable kerosene and SAF blending mandates, these technologies are becoming commercially relevant.” To add further to its projects, OHL have also designed special anti-surge valves for the safe shut off and control of steam turbines. With working temperatures up to 600 degrees centigrade and pressures up to 56 bars, safety is paramount. This of course has been taken
Reactor switching valves angle type for tail gas treatment.
into account, with the valve being equipped with a safe function and quick closing of 0.2 seconds and verified with a hydraulic spring return actuator and further specific accessories. For this valve, sizes range up to DN 800 ANSI class 900 #.
New machining centres and certifications
Back in Altenstadt, the company has invested heavily in new machining centres and custom test rigs, reducing production times by 30 % and minimising error-prone re-clamping operations. This has resulted in faster turnaround, tighter tolerances and even greater product quality.“ It’ s a necessary evolution,” says Mr Röhrig.“ We’ re producing in central Germany, not a lowcost country. That means we compete through precision, not price. Our people, our machines and our experience make that possible.” OHL also maintains one of the most comprehensive certification portfolios in the industry, including ISO 9001, ISO 14001, PED, API, CRN, TRCU, TSG, and SIL. The SIL certification proved to be something special. This certification was for OHL’ s butterfly valves with metal and soft seats, with the reliability being determined by a long-term‘ proven in use’ study in collaboration with a renowned university. The company was also among the first to meet Germany’ s strict TA Luft emissions requirements and continues to pioneer in safety and environmental compliance.“ We don’ t wait for regulations to force change,” Mr Röhrig says.“ We aim to be ahead of them.”
OHL service engineer on top of the tower in NOOR CSP plant in Morocco.
Thinking back and looking ahead
At a glance, the OHL 4-way valve might seem like a niche product, and that it is, but the bigger picture is also important. This valve and the technology behind such products are what is leading to better decarbonisation and industrial safety. In a world increasingly dependent on energy efficiency, emissions reduction and longterm performance, OHL is showing that durability is sustainability, and that extreme engineering can also be green engineering. www. valve-world. net Valve World August 2025
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