Which Valve Is the Right One for You?
Valves serve myriad functions within mechanized systems all over the world. They help us to do our jobs, enjoy temperature-controlled environments and regulate the flow of various materials. Valves are made to suit a given purpose. As long as they are not handling extremely hot liquids or gasses, they are typically constructed from steel, bronze, iron or plastic. In other cases, they may be made from special metal combinations or even ceramic.
Valve Types
Which valve do you use for which purpose? While there are perhaps infinite variations of customized valves able to be created for individual systems, here are the most common standard valve types that you will see:
- Butterfly Valves: In cases where larger valves are required, butterfly valves are often selected. A disc within the valve rotates to allow more or less material to pass through. They operate at degrees of open and shut rather than just a hard and fast on or off functionality, allowing for throttled applications to function properly.
- Globe Valves: Globe valves are also useful for throttling purposes. The internal disk in this case can be placed entirely within the flow path to stop functionality or removed completely to allow optimal flow. These valves can cause notable pressure drops, however, so if that is pertinent to your purpose it is something to bear in mind.
- Ball Valves: These valves are ideal for handling semiliquid slurries or straight liquids. They offer a clear flow route and are easily able to shut completely on or off, making them the perfect choice for shut-off applications.