Working in the plumbing, fitting or agricultural fields means dealing with many different types of industrial valves, and although it’s not rocket science, there are basics to understand to make sure you know what you need in a given set of circumstances.
Here is an overview of the main types of industrial valves. Experience is the best teacher, but if something is new to you, a little guidance can go a long way towards making your life easier. There’s positive experience and there’s bitter experience, and you don’t want too much of the latter. And here’s the good news: some of these types are probably not used in the type of work you do, so although you won’t need them, you’ll have the knowledge to understand they’re not appropriate.
Let’s Get This Clear From The Start: What is a Valve?
A valve is a device or mechanism that controls the flow of a liquid, gas or loose material (such as dust, sawdust or fine rubble) so that the flow can be stopped and started as necessary, and in many cases, but not all, can only go in one direction. In industry, valves are usually made of metal.
Gate Valves
The simplest of all, a gate valve is what it says: a gate – but it is exit-only. The actual gate is a disc the same size as the interior of the pipe, so when it is lowered into place, nothing can get through, but when raised, it gets out of the way and a full flow is possible.
Butterfly Valves
A possibly misleading name, this is often described as being in the shape of a butterfly’s wing, but it’s a disc with shaft that is moulded through the centre, so that when closed it is flat across the pipe, but when opened a quarter turn (90 degrees) it turns side on, allowing flow past it on both sides, similar to how a person might turn sideways to let someone past in a narrow corridor, except butterfly valves are very thin.
Globe Valves
A globe valve is a type of linear motion valve used to start, stop, and regulate the flow of fluids in a pipeline. It features a movable disc that, when closed, sits against a stationary ring seat within a typically spherical (globe-shaped) body, hence the name. Globe valves are particularly useful for throttling and flow control, offering precise regulation of flow rates.
Ball Valves
The ball in a <a href=”https://www.valvewarehouseaustralia.com.au/collections/valves/ball-valves”>ball valve</a> is indeed a ball, a spherical object the same size as the interior of the pipe. The ball has a hole through the middle, so when it is closed, the hole is nowhere to be seen, but it can be turned so the hole allows what is in the pipe to flow through. The ball design makes this very efficient in blocking mode, but less helpful to the flow when it is open.
Check Valves (AKA Non-Return Valves)
The overall name for the types described above.
Pressure Relief Valves
A different kind of thing altogether. These are safety devices that let liquid or steam out if the pressure in the pipe exceeds a certain level. They do this automatically.
Solenoid Valves
Mechanical valves controlled by an electrical current; these contain a coil and a plunger. Often used in irrigation, industrial settings and HVAC (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning).
Needle Valves
A more sensitive and precise kind of valve using a tapered, needle-shaped plunger for very accurate control of flow. Often found in laboratories and systems involving complex instruments.
Plug Valves
Using a cylindrical or conical plug, they involve the quarter-turn (90-degree) mechanism. These versatile valves are often used in situations where there is a lot of on/off happening.
As you can see, there are many types of industrial valves, so it’s essential you choose the right one for the job at hand. Please reach out to our team at Valve Warehouse Australia with your questions, and one of our team members would be happy to help you find what you’re looking for. We ship Australia-wide, and we’re at the forefront of innovation, so we can quickly meet the demands of our customers.