Selecting the right valve for any given industrial operation is no small task. Valves are critical components in a wide range of applications, from power plants to water systems and more. The right valve must be selected to ensure optimal performance and safety. That’s why it’s important to understand the fundamentals of valve selection before making a decision.
Source: FreepikIn this valve selection guide, consumers will discover the basic considerations of valve selection and learn how to identify the ideal valve for different applications. From valve types to construction material and operational requirements, this guide offers the essential information that every consumer needs in order to confidently make the best choice.
Depending on the service medium and application requirements, some specific valve selection chart needs to be evaluated when selecting a valve including flow direction, temperature and pressure requirements, type of actuator, and leak tightness.
Selecting the right valve type is essential for a successful piping system. Valve types can be classified according to the media they regulate, such as liquid and gas, and by their internal construction, such as globe and gate valves.
Industrial ball valve offers a shut-off point for the flow of liquids or gasses. The ball valve is designed to remain shut off until its lever is manually turned to open it. This allows for easy control over the flow of fluid or gas through a pipeline. It also offers extremely tight sealing capabilities and is not prone to leakage due to its quarter-turn operation mechanism.
This particular valve is commonly employed to manage the flow of liquids, gases, and other substances. Its composition comprises a threaded needle with a gradually narrowing tip, typically crafted from brass or stainless steel. The valve operates through a gradual adjustment of the aperture at the needle’s base as the user rotates the stem of the valve.
This consists of a spherical body, which contains an internal seat surrounded by a disc-shaped plug. The valve can be opened or closed by turning the plug against the seat, which regulates the amount of flow through the valve. Globe valves are widely used in industrial applications because they can handle high pressures, temperatures, and viscosities, and they are leak-proof when properly installed.
This particular kind of quarter-turn rotary valve utilizes a cylindrical or tapered plug to control the flow of liquids or gasses. The plug generally has one or more groove openings or passages, which can be aligned with an inlet and outlet port on either side of the valve body, allowing media to pass through the valve.
This valve variant leverages a pliant diaphragm to manage the flow of liquids or gases. The diaphragm is fashioned as a circular disk with a central aperture and links to a stem that connects to the valve body. When put into use, the pressure from the liquid or gas under control keeps the diaphragm sealed against the valve seat, ensuring precise regulation of the flow.
A butterfly valve is a kind of quarter-turn valve that uses a disk with a rotating shaft to control the flow of a fluid. They are commonly used in industrial applications and are available from various butterfly valves supplier worldwide. The disk is positioned in the middle of the pipe or other passage and rotates so that when it is perpendicular to the flow, fluid is able to pass, and when it is aligned with the flow, fluid can not pass.
Butterfly valves are used extensively in industrial applications such as controlling the flow of liquids, gasses, and vapors. They also find extensive use in water treatment plants and wastewater systems, due to their excellent capabilities in regulating and throttling fluid flows.
A check valve is a kind of valve that allow fluids to flow in only one direction. It has applications in both residential and industrial settings. Check valves help prevent backflow, which happens when pressure forces fluid to move backward rather than forward.
A relief valve is a safety device used to protect a plumbing system from damage due to excessive pressure buildup. It allows controlled release of pressure when a predetermined level is exceeded, thus protecting the system and its components from damage caused by too much pressure.
A solenoid valve is an electrically powered valve used to control the flow of liquids, gasses, or other fluids. It consists of a cylindrical coil of wire containing a ferromagnetic core surrounded by an outer shell of non-magnetic material. When electricity is passed through the coil, a magnetic field is created which causes the core to move and open or close the valve. The core is secured to a plunger that also moves and connects with the valve opening/closing mechanism.
It is a linear motion valve, which works by removing a round or rectangular gate/wedge from the fluid’s path. In most cases, the gate is linked to an actuator, which opens or closes the valve in accordance with a signal from the controlling system. Gate valves are most commonly used for isolation purposes, as opposed to control purposes.
When selecting valve seat material, there are several important considerations. The material must be able to withstand high temperatures and pressures. It should also be able to maintain a good seal between the valve and seat. Here are some considerations on selecting valve seat materials.
When choosing a valve, valve seat material pressure should be considered. It affects the performance of the valve and can ultimately determine its longevity. The valve seat material should be chosen based on the specific application, the pressure range of the system, and the working environment.
The temperature range and pressure range of the system should also be taken into account when selecting a valve seat material. The material should be able to withstand both low and high-pressure ranges without becoming damaged or deformed. Different materials have different properties, such as thermal conductivity, so it’s important to select a material that can handle the environment in which it will be operating in.
The size range of these materials is an important consideration in their selection. Generally, many valves factory across the world have their valve seat material be able to accommodate a significant range of sizes, from very small to large.
For smaller valve sizes, bronze and stainless steel are usually well-suited. For larger valve sizes, cast iron or hardened steel are often used. They provide maximum sealing strength, excellent rigidity, and long service life for heavier-duty applications.
One of the key factors in selecting a suitable material for a valve seat is its corrosion resistance. Corrosion can significantly reduce the efficacy of the valve and cause extensive damage, so selecting a material that offers excellent corrosion resistance is essential.
The sealing performance of a valve seat relies on two primary factors: its type of seal and its ability to form a strong bond between the seat and the valve body. The amount of force applied to the seal and the amount of contact area between the seat and the valve body will determine the type of seal needed for a particular application.
Wear and tear resistance is an important factor to consider, most of the industrial valve company already offer this factor to their valve products. Valve seats are subject to extreme temperatures and high pressures, which can cause them to wear out quickly. To guarantee optimal performance and longevity, it is essential to select a material that is durable and abrasion resistant.
Suggested reading:Cost-effectiveness when selecting valve seat material is crucial to select the most appropriate material for the application so that the desired performance can be achieved, while also considering its cost. Cost considerations will include not only the initial purchase price of the valve seat material, but also its lifetime costs such as installation, maintenance and energy consumption.
Valve selection is an important task for any industrial operation. By having an in control valve selection guide and making an informed decision, consumers can ensure that their chosen valve meets their specific requirements and provides optimal performance.
Dombor is an industrial valves supplier that specializes in providing tailored solutions for a variety of industries. With our wide range of products and experienced team, we have become a leading name in the industry. Our company provides a comprehensive selection of industrial valves ranging from basic butterfly valves to ball valves.
Our products are designed to meet the highest standards and are certified by global third-party certifiers. Furthermore, we offer customized valve solutions for specific requirements, allowing customers to get the exact product they need. Contact us today for any valve solution for any industrial applications.
Industrial fluid systems should be designed and built with the right components to reliably function as intended. Valves play an important role here, allowing operators to effectively control system fluid flow to best suit the application’s needs.
Fluid system design can be complex, requiring many considerations. It may not always be readily apparent which valve is right for your application. Do you need to stop and start flow? Control the direction of flow? Regulate flow level? Or do you need to protect your system from overpressure?
These are all questions that should be asked when deciding how to select a valve for your fluid system. In this post, we will explore different types of industrial valves and offer tips to help you make the right choice for your applications.
Want to learn more about valve types, selection, and troubleshooting? Check out our Swagelok® Valves Essentials course.
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Fluid systems can be dangerous if installation and operation best practices are not followed. Many fluid processes operate at elevated pressures and temperatures. Additionally, some fluids may be hazardous, and if any leaks occur, operators may be at risk.
Valves play critical roles in enabling safely functioning fluid systems. For example, a safety shut-off valve or pressure relief valve can prevent your system from reaching overpressure, a potentially dangerous scenario that may lead to a blowout.
A valve’s ultimate responsibility is to control flow. Flow is defined as a fluid’s movement in a steady and continuous way through your system. As a fluid or gas flows, it moves from a higher pressure to a lower pressure. Typically, flow is measured in flowmeters, and is recorded in terms of a ratio of distance or volume per unit of time (e.g., meters per second, gallons per day, liters per minute, etc.).
Valves permit flow based on factors including the diameter of its end connection and the valve’s flow path. To help understand a valve’s ability to control flow, manufacturers typically provide a flow coefficient, or Cv, along with the supplied valve. A higher Cv means a higher flow rate, but a higher Cv is not necessarily beneficial—depending on the valve type and application, some valves may come with a Cv of near zero.
Use our Cv Calculator to determine Cv or flow based on pressures, flow rates, temperatures, and media within your system.
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The many valves available today serve five primary functions, listed below along with their industry-standard symbols commonly found in piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs):
On/Off. This is the most basic type of valve function. On/off valves start or stop the flow of fluid, and there are many different types of valves to choose from, including:
Flow control. These valves help adjust the flow through a system, providing functionality from simple regulation to fine metering. Needle valves are most commonly used to control flow, and they can provide on/off functionality, if necessary. Flow will be determined by orifice size, stem type, and stem position, which is controlled by turning the valve handle.
Directional flow. This valve function ensures that flow is headed in the desired direction and can change the direction of flow in the system. Check valves and multi-port ball valves are commonly used for directional control. Importantly, directional valves provide on/off functionality when changing flow; they do not throttle flow.
Overpressure protection. This function prevents system pressure buildup beyond a prescribed limit. Relief valves and rupture discs are most commonly used here. Relief devices are highly important in any system that operates under pressure, acting as a last line of defense against overpressure conditions. Relief valves can be calibrated to open automatically at a predetermined pressure level. They can help safeguard your plant while allowing production to continue if overpressure happens.
Excess flow control. Excess flow valves help contain uncontrolled release of system media, preventing rapid escape of fluid by activating when flow through the valve increases to a predetermined value. Should an excess flow condition occur downstream, the valve’s poppet rapidly moves to the tripped or fully forward position, stopping most of the uncontrolled release of system media.
With a fuller understanding of flow and how different types of valves can help control it, you will be better equipped to make the proper selection in your fluid system design. This article, however, is just a primer. As a next step, consider reading more about using the proven STAMPED industrial valve selection method in this related article.
Alternatively, if you are interested in learning more about valve selection, identification, and troubleshooting, our Swagelok® Valve Essentials training is a great way to learn fundamentals. Beyond that, we also offer a variety of other courses taught by Swagelok-certified trainers focused on helping you develop the knowledge and techniques required to build and operate high-performing fluid systems. Learn more about available courses and topics at the link below.
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