Type of valves

Type of valves

Various types of valves are required in any piping system in order to regulate the fluid flow within that system. Valves can be manually operated or they can have an actuator to change and control the valve opening. The actuator may be pneumatically, hydraulically, or electrically operated. The valves represent a considerable percentage of the overall expenditure of the chemical process industry and, therefore, must be carefully selected.

WHAT ARE VALVES AND HOW DO THEY WORK?

At their most basic, valves are devices that work to control, regulate or direct flow within a system or process.

They often feature a range of characteristics that help to define their ideal application.

However, whether you’re looking to control flow, provide safety in a system that is piping liquids, solids, gasses or anything in between, there are likely stainless steel valves available to help.

Different types of valves are used in piping. In this article, I have covered valves’ classifications and their functions. Let’s start with Valve’s definition.

What is Valve?

Chances are there that you already know this. But there is no harm in refreshing the memory.

A valve is a device that regulates, controls, or directs the flow of a fluid by opening, closing, or partially obstructing fluid flow. A sound bit complicated? Ok, let me further simplify this. A valve is a mechanical device that controls the flow and pressure of fluid within a system or process. So basically, it controls flow & pressure.

Types of Valves

In piping following types of valves are used depending on the requirements. The cost of valves in the piping system can be up to 20 to 30% of the overall piping cost. And the cost of a given type and size of valve can vary 100%. It means that if you choose a ball valve over a butterfly valve for the same function. It can cost you more. So, the selection of valves is essential to the economics and operation of the process plants.

A valve is a component in a piping system that is used to control the flow of the media through the system. This control is achieved by the manipulation of some type of obstructer within the valve. Actuated valves use mechanical devices called "actuators" to operate the valve using a power source such as compressed air or electricity. Most actuated valves are also available in a manually operated version, or as an actuated valve with a manual override.

All of the most common types of automated valves fall into one of three main categories. They are linear, rotary, and self-actuated. There are a variety of valve types within each of these categories each having its own benefits. This training course is focused on rotary and linear actuated valves.

There are a large variety of valves and valve configurations to suit all services and conditions; different uses (on/off, control), different fluids (liquid, gas etc; combustible, toxic, corrosive etc) different materials and different pressure and temperature conditions. Valves are for starting or stopping flow, regulating or throttling flow, preventing back flow or relieving and regulating pressure in fluid or gaseous handling applications. Common valve types include: Ball,Butterfly,Check, Diaphragm, Gate, Globe, Knife Gate, Parallel Slide, Pinch, Piston, Plug, Sluice, etc.

Valve Types

There are many types of valves available to accommodate a wide range of applications. GlobalSpec offers industrial buyers over 30 valve varieties, each with a unique method of control, function, or media application.

Classification

There are two major methods used to classify valves. These include method of control and valve function. Most valves fall into one or more of the classifications listed below. It is important to understand how the valve operates, as well as how it is best used, to reduce the need for valve maintenance and extra wear on the valve parts.