The types of industrial valves on the market

Brief guide to the main types of industrial valves on the market

Valves are mechanical devices designed to control and regulate the flow of a fluid, both in the liquid and gaseous phase. There are different types, depending on the valve mechanism, the type of fluid to be checked and the needs of the latter. Depending on the type, these can then have not only purposes but also different industrial applications.

 

In any case, many industrial sectors and production processes require precise and effective valves for their operation. Some types of valves are used for starting, stopping or flow control. Others are used mainly for opening and closing. The three most common types of industrial valves are ball, butterfly and check valves. But in addition to these, there are many other types of valves used for industrial applications.

 

ECI, European Casting Industry, is a company specialized in the production of a wide range of valves for different types of application. With this experience, knowledge of advanced technologies and the use of high quality materials, let’s discover together which are the main types of valves and what industrial uses and applications they can have.

What are industrial valves

 

First of all, let us clarify what is meant by "industrial valve". In principle, an industrial valve is a mechanical device used to control and regulate the flow of fluid - be it gas, liquid or other. It is connected to a pipe, or passageway, of which it blocks and releases the flow and can then be used to start, stop or adjust pressure in a piping system.

 

Industrial valves are an essential part of the oil and gas industry, but not only. They are essential for safety, help prevent leaks and increase efficiency. Regardless of their purpose, they help to ensure the safety of all workers and the environment by preventing pressure build-ups in one or more branches of the system.

 

The main components of valves

 

An industrial valve is a mechanical hydraulic device that appears simple, or at least it seems so according to the function it has to perform: a valve that opens, closes, or remains partially open to regulate a flow. For this to be possible, however, the valve must be made of high-quality and durable materials, and all its components must be carefully connected.

 

In general, the main components that make up a valve are:

• valve body, which consists of the structure containing the internal components of the valve. It is made of metal or plastic materials depending on the application;
• cap: the part that encloses the stem and determines its sealing;
• valve ports: they are the inlet and outlet of the valve where the fluid passes through. Two-port valves are generally used but there are up to 20-port valves;
• actuators: the valves can be either manual or automatic. In the latter case, specific mechanisms operated by cranks or hydraulic or pneumatic actuators are used;
• seats: the area inside the valve body whose contact with the shutter ensures fluid tightness;
• shutter: is a movable obstruction that allows to regulate the flow and defines both the geometry and the movements of the valve. It plays a key role in choosing the type of valve that is best suited to your application;
• rod: transmits the motion between actuator and shutter, either linearly or rotatively according to the geometry of the shutter.

 

Valve types and applications

 

As mentioned above, and as can be seen from the extensive ECI catalogue, industrial valves are available in various types. Each type has its own design, technical characteristics and a well-defined functionality, which makes it suitable for a specific sector.

 

Here we list some of the main types of industrial valves.

 

1. Gate valve

 

Its design is characterized by the coil, which consists of a wedge-shaped seat and a disc with a part that holds pressure. A seat is typically forged, or at least made with a hard surface for better wear resistance and fine surface finish. A seat must be thick enough to withstand the design pressure. A gate valve allows fluid to flow through it, because the disc is partially open and takes several turns before closing completely.

 

2. Ball valve

 

This type of valve uses a ball to block the reverse flow of fluid. These are standard valves, especially in the oil and gas industry, but they are also used in many other applications. They are known to be very reliable in closed positions, while their multi-way design flexibility makes them a good choice for certain fields. They can also handle a wide range of liquids and gases.

 

3. Check valve

 

Check valves are commonly used in liquid and gas systems for pump protection. Their design is simple and, combined with different materials, makes them a versatile choice. They are commonly found in waste water management systems.

 

4. Globe valve

 

An essential component of any process requiring shutdown, it can also work at extreme pressures and temperatures. It is generally made of cast iron, stainless steel, plastic, brass and aluminium. The globe valve design consists of a needle-shaped disc passing in front of an opening seat. This disc matches the ribbed design of the body to ensure a gradual opening or closing.

 

5. Butterfly valve

 

A butterfly valve is a type of industrial valve that can be used for a variety of purposes. These valves are bidirectional and operate in the same direction as the fluid flow they control. They are often used in chemical processes, waste water treatment and fire protection. They can also be used in fuel handling systems and pharmaceutical and food processing applications.

 

6. Plug valve

 

This type has a conical spine structure. The cap is fixed in the valve body by the filler; the shutter must always be inserted into the valve body, so the filler must be adjusted correctly. It comes with a reliable and tight holding capacity along with a simple opening and closing mechanism.

 

7. Control valve

 

Helps to control the flow, increasing or decreasing it with ease. It also helps to control the temperature and pressure. Again, there are different types.

 

8. Safety valve

 

It is used to limit the pressure, avoiding overpressure phenomena in systems working with high pressures. When the valve is opened, the fluid passes through a pilot tube and the main valve moves upwards. When the pressure in the system falls below the set level, the valve closes and the fluid flows to the outlet.

 

9. Needle valve

 

It has a needle-like shape and uses a disc to control the flow. The mechanism is similar to a globe valve, and the needle helps control the flow with even greater precision. It is the ideal solution for vacuum services and is effective in controlling fluid flow. Requires minimal maintenance.

 

The criteria to be considered when choosing

 

There are of course several factors to consider when choosing the valve best suited for your industrial process. Each is suitable for specific applications, fluid types, pressures.

The first parameter to consider when choosing a valve is the type of shutter. This in fact determines the characteristic curve of the valve, that is the variation of flow rate as a function of the stroke of the shutter. There are three different types of shutters:

• plate shutter: the increase in flow rate occurs almost exclusively in the first opening portion of the shutter. After that, other increases in the stroke lead to almost negligible increases. It is typically used for "all-nothing" controls and interception services;
• linear characteristic shutter: as the name says, the linearity between the stroke of the shutter and the flow rate is obtained, which is therefore proportional to the degree of opening of the valve. It is used when the differential pressure in operation does not undergo appreciable changes or in processes with limited variations of flow rate;
• equal-percent characteristic shutter: at equal increments of the opening stroke corresponds to a constant percentage increase in flow rate, at the same differential pressure. As a result, the valve delivers most of the flow in the last fraction of opening. These shutters (and the valves in which they are inserted), are used in applications where fluid pressure loss is mainly absorbed by the plant and only a small percentage of it remains available in the valve. For example, in thermal systems, to mix fluids at different temperatures or coupled to an exchanger to linearize the thermal power-flow curve.

The second parameter to be considered is the nominal diameter of the seat. This is identified by technical tables, note the type of shutter and the coefficient of flow (CV). Another important parameter to consider is clearly the material, which should be suitable for the operating environment.

 

ECI valves: safe and high-quality solutions for every application

 

ECI is constantly committed to developing and supplying valves for industrial applications of first-class quality and standards. They guarantee high performance and versatility in every operational context. They are designed and constructed with carefully selected materials, such as brass, bronze and cast iron, which ensure great resistance to corrosion, pressure and high temperatures.

 

Due to the wide range of valves available, these can be used in different sectors and areas, including heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, but also oil and gas fields. Each product is systematically tested to ensure compliance with specific quality standards and maximum operational efficiency.

 

As a manufacturer of valves for different industrial sectors, ECI offers various types of valves. These include:

• bottom valves;
• butterfly valves;
• globe valves;
• ball valves;
• check valves.

 

Thanks to a long experience in the sector, ECI - European Casting Industry - provides specialized advice and tailor-made solutions for the specific needs of each client, offering valves made to different standards and ensuring a wide distribution of its products.

 

For more information on the different types of valves proposed by ECI, contact us!