Valves construct the nest for the Beijing Olympic Games

With the advent of Beijing Olympic Games “the National Stadium” attract the world’s attention. As such a large stadium how to make full use of water resources is particularly important.

In fact, through the world’s advanced rainwater collection and sewage treatment systems ，“the Bird’s Nest” reduce water consumption by 70%. It truly realized the goal of the Beijing Olympic Games that combine environmental protection and energy saving. And in this whole process valves has played an important role.

Many people are not very understanding of valves. They think that valves are what can be only used in factories. That’s wrong. A valve is a device that regulates the flow of materials (gases, fluidized solids, slurries, or liquids) by opening, closing, or partially obstructing various passageways. Valves are technically pipe fittings, but usually are discussed separately. Valves are used in a variety of applications including industrial; military, commercial, residential, and transportation. Oil and gas, power generation, mining, water reticulation, sewerage and chemical manufacturing would constitute the majority of valves used by industry.

Plumbing valves are the most obvious in everyday life, taps for hot and cold water, gas control valves on cookers and barbecues, small valves fitted to washing machines and dishwashers, and safety devices fitted to hot water systems are all simple valves.

Most valves are operated manually, either by a hand wheel or lever. Some valves are 'self-operating' driven by changes in pressure, temperature or flow. These changes in pressure or temperature often act against springs or capsules filled with expanding substances. Examples of this type of valve found commonly are safety valves fitted to hot water systems or steam boilers.

More complex control systems using valves requiring automatic control based on an external input (i.e., regulating flow through a pipe to a changing set point) require an actuator. An actuator will stroke the valve depending on its input and set-up, allowing the valve to be positioned accurately, and allowing fine control over a variety of requirements

So in fact valves are closely related to our life. Of course, they are still mainly used on industry. And from the valves used in the stadium we can know valves are becoming more and more sophisticated. On the one hand though constantly improve the construction of valves and make use of new materials valves become more resistant to erosion, more stable. On the other hand through a combination of computer and sensor valvels become more convenient and accurate.