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6 Types of Flow Control Valves & What You Need to Know About Them

According to various expert sources, flow control valves are vital components in different industries, and understanding their types can improve both safety and operational efficiency. Knowing the distinctions among various flow control valves can lead to informed decisions for any pipeline system.

The selection of appropriate valves impacts safety protocols and customer satisfaction significantly. Therefore, ensuring that your engineering team is well-versed with various valve types is not only a good practice but may be legally mandated.

1. Ball Valves

Ball valves utilize a spherical plug that allows for controlled flow through a bored passage. They can operate manually via a lever for easy access, which also serves as an indicator for the valve’s status, or automatically using an actuator.

These valves provide superior liquid flow control and a reliable shutoff when closed. They see common application in industries such as sewage treatment, chemical processes, and paper manufacturing.

2. Check Valves

Check valves are crucial for preventing the backflow of fluids in piping systems.

By relying on the flow of the fluid, these valves stay open; conversely, they close when the flow reverses. Variants include lift checks and swing checks, both serving the same fundamental purpose.

3. Butterfly Valves

These valves are predominantly found in oil and gas transmission, water treatment facilities, and power generation plants.

Lightweight and user-friendly, butterfly valves also possess self-cleaning properties and minimal pressure drop when open, making them an ideal choice in many applications.

4. Gate Valves

Gate valves excel in applications where complete stop or full flow is required.

With minimal resistance to flow when fully opened, they maintain pressure stability, making them a reliable option for various systems.

5. Globe Valves

Designed to facilitate change in fluid direction, globe valves are perfect for throttling and flow regulation.

They typically present less cost than gate valves but introduce more flow resistance, making them suitable for specific applications where control is necessary.

6. Needle Valves

Needle valves are engineered for precise flow control, featuring a pointed disc and a matching seat.

Often employed in chemical feed systems and continuous discharge applications, they provide the fine control needed, albeit for lower flow rates.

Purchasing These Types of Flow Control Valves

The best type of flow control valve for your operational needs largely depends on the specifics of your application.

Understanding your options ensures that you select the most appropriate valve for your situation. If you are considering purchasing one or more types of flow control valves, explore our product offerings here.