Industrial Valve Types and Their Uses

Industrial Valves fall into several distinct categories and selecting the wrong type can lead to problems with flow, pressure loss, etc and even premature wear.

Table of Contents

Gate Valves

The simplest type of valve to describe would be the Gate Valve. This type of valve lifts a flat gate out of the flowpath of the valve when opened. The valve is then fully open or fully closed, with the least resistance of all the types of valves. They are not really the best choice for trying to regulate the flow of a fluid or gas, but are used to isolate parts of a system (such as sections of water main, oil pipelines, etc. and general process work).

Ball Valves

Ball Valves. A ball valve is used in a ball valve. The ball has a bore of the centre. This allows fluid to flow when the valve is turned a quarter of a turn. This type of valve is good for use on gas supply lines, in chemical plants, and in compressed air systems. The ball valve seals well, and opens and closes quickly.

Butterfly Valves

A butterfly valve is a type of valve used to control the fluid flow. It uses a disc which is mounted on a central spindle. The disc is typically positioned perpendicular to the flow stream. As the valve is turned a quarter of a turn the disc will open or close to allow or block the flow of fluid. Butterfly valves are generally lightweight and compact, making them ideal for use on large diameter pipes such as those found in water treatment works and HVAC systems. A useful reference for Industrial Valves is https://orseal.com/.

Globe Valves

Globe valves are designed for throttling to regulate flow in much the same way as a control valve. They are typically used for throttling in cooling systems and other applications that require more control of flow than simple open and shut.

Check Valves

Check Valves are used to allow flow in the reverse direction to prevent back up and cause damage to items such as pumps and compressors. They are found throughout water treatment plants and process lines to prevent such occurrences.

Needle Valves

The use of a Needle Valve for very precise control of small flow rates is quite common for use in instrumentation, fuel systems and hydraulic services.