The world's largest hydropower pressure relief valve has been successfully developed in Harbin. Harbin Electric Machinery Company Limited, a subsidiary of Harbin Electric Corporation, announced on April 1 that the valve, independently developed for the Tarbela Fifth Extension Hydropower Project in Pakistan, has completed assembly and testing in Harbin. This product sets a world record with a nominal diameter of 3.5 meters, and several of its core technologies and innovative designs have reached internationally leading levels.
The Tarbela Dam is Pakistan's largest and most critical power supply base, accounting for one-third of the nation's electricity generation, and is often referred to as Pakistan's "Three Gorges Project." The fifth extension of the dam is a key energy cooperation project between China and Pakistan. Harbin Electric Machinery is responsible for manufacturing all three 470-megawatt Francis turbine units for the project, which are equipped with a total of four pressure relief valves. All manufacturing and assembly testing for these valves was completed successfully on the first attempt.
As a core safety component of the turbine units, the pressure relief valve can respond rapidly under unexpected operating conditions, effectively protecting critical equipment such as the water diversion tunnel, penstock, spiral case, and turbine. It acts as a "safety guardian" ensuring the continuous and secure operation of the power station. The pressure relief valves for the Tarbela Fifth Extension Project feature a fixed cone valve structure, with a design pressure of 1.35 megapascals. This is equivalent to the force of a 135-meter column of water acting vertically on every square centimeter, enabling the valves to adapt to the project's high-head extreme operating environment.
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