valves Guide – Notash Sanat Sahand

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Different Types of Valves used in Piping

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

What is Valve?

Chances are there that you already know this. But there is no harm to refresh 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 simplified 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 Valve in the piping system is up to 20 to 30% of the overall piping cost. And the cost of a given type and size of the 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, as well as operation, of the process plants.

Gate Valve
Globe Valve
Check Valve
Plug valve
Ball Valve
Butterfly Valve
Needle Valve
Pinch Valve
Pressure Relief Valve

Let learn about each of them.

GATE VALVE

A gate valve is the most common type of valve in any process plant. It is a linear motion valve used to start or stop fluid flow. In service, these valves are either in a fully open or fully closed position. Gate valves are used in almost all fluid services such as air, fuel gas, feedwater, steam, lube oil, hydrocarbon, and all most any services. The gate valve provides a good shutoff.

Solid Wedge Gate Valve
Flexible Wedge Gate Valve
Split wedge or Parallel disks Gate Valve
OS & Y Gate Valve or Rising Stem Valve
Non-rising Stem Gate Valve or Insider Screw Valve

Globe valve

Globe valve is used to stop, start, and regulate the fluid flow. Globe Valves are used in the systems where flow control is required and leak tightness is also necessary. Globe valve provides better shut off as compared to the gate valve and it is costlier than a gate valve.

Click on the image given below to learn about following types of Globe Valves.

Z types
Y types
Angle Types

check valve

The check valve prevents backflow in the piping system. The pressure of the fluid passing through a pipeline opens the valve, while any reversal of flow will close the valve.

Click on the image given below to learn about following types of Check Valves.

Swing Type
Lift Type
Dual Plate Type
Stop Check Valve

plug valve

Plug valve is a Quarter-turn rotary motion Valve that uses a tapered or cylindrical plug to stop or start the flow. The disk is in plug shape, which has a passage to pass the flow. Plug valve used as on-off stop valves and capable of providing bubble-tight shutoff. Plug valve can be used in a vacuum to high-pressure & temperature applications.

Rectangular Port
Round Port and
Diamond Port
Lubricated Plug Valve
Non-lubricated Plug Valves
Multi-Port Plug Valves

ball valve

The check valve prevents backflow in the piping system. The pressure of the fluid passing through a pipeline opens the valve, while any reversal of flow will close the valve.

Click on the image given below to learn about following types of Check Valves.