Fact Statement: The fire is still under investigation, and publicly available information has not yet confirmed the exact cause of the accident. Therefore, this article does not analyze the cause of the accident, nor does it attribute the accident to any specific valve, piping component, or equipment. Instead, it focuses on valve safety issues commonly involved in the commissioning of large-scale chemical facilities.   On August 25, 2026, a serious fire occurred at the Amur Gas Chemical Complex (AGCC) in the Amur Region of Russia’s Far East. As of August 26, the accident had resulted in 7 deaths, 152 injuries, and 9 people missing.   According to an official statement from AGCC, the fire occurred in the auxiliary process section of the plant’s pyrolysis unit, while the main project equipment was not damaged. This accident is deeply distressing and once again reminds us that, in natural gas chemical projects, the safety of auxiliary process sections, particularly the reliability of valves, is by no means an “auxiliary” issue.   1. What Is the Auxiliary Process Section of a Cracking Unit?   An ethylene cracking unit is an extremely complex system with highly demanding process requirements. The cracking furnace is the heart of the  unit, where natural gas or naphtha is cracked at temperatures above 800°C into basic chemical feedstocks such as ethylene and propylene.   The Auxiliary Technological Section, although not located at the center of the high-temperature reaction like the cracking furnace, is responsible for providing stable utilities and various auxiliary media for the entire unit, ensuring the continuous and safe operation of the main unit.   The auxiliary process section mainly includes the following seven subsystems:   1. Fuel Gas/Fuel Oil System: This includes fuel gas buffer vessels, knockout drums, fuel oil pumps, strainers, and burners, and is responsible for supplying stable and clean fuel to the cracking furnace. 2. Steam System: The core equipment is the Steam Drum, which generates and distributes the dilution steam, high-pressure steam, and other steam required by the unit. 3. Feedwater and Condensate System: This includes deaerators, boiler feedwater pumps, condensate recovery tanks, and other equipment responsible for supplying and treating qualified water for the steam system. 4. Compression and Refrigeration System: This includes multistage compressors, intercoolers, separators, and refrigeration compressors, which are used to compress and cool cracked gas and provide refrigeration for downstream separation. 5. Drying and Purification System: This mainly consists of molecular sieve dryers used to remove trace moisture from cracked gas and prevent freezing and blockage of downstream equipment at low temperatures. 6. Relief and Flare System: This includes flare knockout drums, flare tips, and other equipment used to safely burn and dispose of com...

In 2026, DERVOS VALVE proudly celebrates its 18th anniversary, marking an important milestone in the company's journey. To commemorate this occasion, DERVOS VALVE organized a three-day anniversary celebration, bringing together all employees to reflect on the company's achievements over the past eighteen years, look ahead to future development, and further strengthen team cohesion through meaningful activities and shared experiences.   Reflecting on 18 Years of Growth   From raw material management and precision machining to assembly and product testing, every stage of production reflects DERVOS VALVE's unwavering commitment to quality.   Over the past eighteen years, DERVOS VALVE has continuously improved its manufacturing system while enhancing product quality and customer service capabilities. Today, our industrial valves are widely used across the oil and gas, chemical, power generation, water treatment, LNG, and other industrial sectors, providing reliable valve solutions to customers worldwide.   Building Consensus for Future Development     During the anniversary celebration, DERVOS VALVE also held its mid-year communication meeting.   The meeting reviewed the company's performance over the first half of the year and outlined key objectives for future development. Representatives from different departments exchanged insights on production management, quality improvement, and cross-functional collaboration, sharing practical experience, reviewing achievements, and discussing future goals together.   The meeting further strengthened communication among departments, reinforced team alignment, and injected new momentum into the company's long-term development.     Embracing Nature Together   In addition to the company's anniversary activities, DERVOS VALVE organized a group excursion to experience the beauty of nature.   Surrounded by picturesque landscapes, employees enjoyed the scenic environment and explored the local culture in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. The trip provided an opportunity to unwind while fostering stronger relationships among colleagues.   This memorable experience enriched the anniversary celebration, strengthened team spirit, and inspired everyone with renewed energy for the work ahead.     Eighteen Years of Commitment, Looking Ahead   Eighteen years represent not only growth and achievement, but also the beginning of a new chapter.     Since its establishment, DERVOS VALVE has remained dedicated to the design, manufacturing, and global supply of industrial valves. Through continuous improvements in product development, manufacturing capabilities, and quality management, the company has provided reliable valve products and technical support to customers across a wide range of industries worldwide.   Looking ahead, DERVOS VALVE will continue to focus on product innovation, manufacturing excellence, and long-term...

A major South African oil client deployed the DVS sliding blind valve in a multi-media pipeline system requiring frequent switching between oil products, natural gas, and chemical solvents. Since installation, the system has achieved stable zero-leakage operation. The valve’s online operation under pressure has completely eliminated the need for shutdown and depressurization, while significantly improving onsite maintenance safety.   Customer Challenge: Seal Failure and Lack of Positive Isolation During Frequent Multi-Media Switching   The client is a large oil processing and storage company in South Africa. Their pipeline network frequently switches between multiple media, including oil products, natural gas, and chemical solvents. Due to the significant differences in media characteristics, the system places extremely high demands on valve sealing performance, corrosion resistance, and operational safety.   While using conventional gate valves and ball valves, the client faced the following critical operational issues over the long term: Issue Type Conventional Gate / Ball Valve Performance Actual Operational Impact Seal failure and internal leakage Seals degrade over time and cannot guarantee zero leakage Media leakage creates serious safety and environmental risks Shutdown and depressurization required for maintenance Pipelines must be fully depressurized before maintenance Long downtime and significant production losses Inability to achieve true positive isolation Isolation depends on sealing components with limited reliability Risk of cross-contamination during media switching     The client specifically requested a valve solution that could:   ● Operate without relying on seals ● The sliding blind valve provides reliable positive isolation for multi-media pipelines while simplifying switching operations and reducing cross-contamination risk. ● Provide absolute physical isolation    DVS Sliding Blind Valve Solution: Physical Isolation + Online Operation + Zero Leakage   The DVS sliding blind valve uses a solid blind plate to physically block the media passage. This design fundamentally eliminates the risks associated with conventional seal-dependent valves. The following four technical advantages played a key role in solving the client’s operationalchallenges:   Absolute Physical Isolation with Zero Leakage   The solid blind plate directly blocks media flow, eliminating seal aging and seal failure issues. This ensures true zero-leakage performance under all operating conditions.   Online Operation Under Pressure Without Shutdown   The valve can switch between open and closed positions while the system remains pressurized. No depressurization or production shutdown is required, dramatically reducing downtime and operational safety risks.   External Position Indicator Prevents Misoperation   An external position indicator clearly displays whether ...

Recently, DERVOS Valve successfully passed the audit by the American Petroleum Institute (API). The company’s API Spec 6D certification for pipeline valves has been renewed, and the API 600 certification has also been issued. Both certificates are valid through 2029.   What is an API6D certificate?   API 6D is an internationally recognized standard for valves used in oil and gas pipeline transportation systems. It covers the full process requirements for design, manufacturing, and inspection of products such as ball valves, gate valves, and check valves. The certification typically requires renewal audits every three years.     What is an API600 certificate?   API 600 is an internationally recognized standard for steel gate valves used in oil and gas refinery applications. It defines requirements for design, materials, manufacturing, inspection, and testing. This certification is generally subject to renewal every three years to maintain validity.   According to available information, the audit covered multiple aspects, including quality management system operation, production process control, inspection equipment calibration, and personnel qualifications. During the audit, the API inspection team conducted an on-site review of the entire process at DERVOS Valve, from raw material procurement to final product delivery.   A representative from the company’s quality department stated that DERVOS Valve has been continuously improving its standardized system management and has established a quality control system covering the full product lifecycle. Key production processes are supported by standardized work instructions, and inspection records are fully traceable to individual orders.   The successful renewal of these certifications demonstrates that DERVOS Valve continues to meet API requirements in product manufacturing and quality assurance within the industrial valve sector. It also supports the company’s qualification to supply products for international projects such as oil and gas pipelines and LNG receiving terminals.   The company stated that it will continue to focus on standardized production and process management to ensure the effective operation of its quality management system.

This year’s Dervos annual conference was noticeably more grand and well-organized than in previous years.   In the morning session, each department delivered its annual work summary, reviewing key projects and achievements over the past year. Teams also openly shared the challenges encountered during implementation and the practical experience gained along the way.   Through this cross-department exchange, everyone developed a clearer understanding of one another’s responsibilities and workflows, laying a stronger foundation for future collaboration and communication.     In the afternoon session, the Outstanding Employee awards were presented. Each nominee shared their work achievements and practical experience, demonstrating a strong sense of responsibility and execution across different roles. It is precisely this proactive mindset, collaborative spirit, and down-to-earth working approach of Dervos employees that drives the team steadily toward its shared goals.     Showing up on time every single day throughout the year — that’s quite an achievement. Ian has now received the Perfect Attendance Award for two consecutive years.     During the annual conference, Dervos also presented medals and exclusive commemorative gifts to employees who have completed five years of service.     Dervos values the long-term dedication and consistent commitment of its team members, and sincerely appreciates the trust and contributions they have made over the years. For many at Dervos, the company is not only a platform for professional growth, but also a stage where shared goals and collective efforts come to life. In the evening, the annual conference transitioned into the banquet segment. Performances and interactive games were seamlessly interspersed, creating a relaxed yet organized atmosphere.     Laughter and cheers echoed throughout the venue, and in the moment the camera shutter clicked, the excitement and joy were captured in a single frame.     Eric said: "Let’s dream together, DERVOS's dream. A dream where we all play a part, piece by piece, it becomes a reality." For Dervos, the annual meeting is not just about "summarizing the year," but about bringing our hearts together, strengthening our resolve in doing the same thing, and then continuing to move forward, step by step, with steady progress.            

In 2025, Dervos organized its annual team trip, a five-day journey to Chongzuo, Weizhou Island, and Nanning in Guangxi Province. The trip aimed to provide relaxation and strengthen team communication, offering a well-paced and content-rich experience that combined natural landscapes with local cultural immersion. In Chongzuo, the team focused on nature sightseeing. Bamboo rafting tours allowed close observation of the local ecology and offered opportunities to see rare species such as the white-headed leaf monkey. The group also visited Detian Waterfall, experiencing its scale and flow firsthand. The overall itinerary was designed with a relaxed pace, providing ample time for rest and team bonding. Next, the team traveled to Weizhou Island. The volcanic landforms and coastal scenery added a unique visual dimension to the journey. Beyond sightseeing, participants engaged in local agricultural activities, including dragon fruit picking and banana harvesting, gaining insight into local lifestyles. The team also visited several beaches, fully appreciating the island environment. The final stop was Nanning. Team members explored the night market, sampled local specialties, and experienced the city’s daily life, bringing the Guangxi trip to a relaxed conclusion. This annual trip allowed the Dervos team to foster more natural communication and connection outside of work, recharging energy for the months ahead. Dervos remains committed to its guiding principle: I come, I see, I conquer!