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

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

Regardless of the industry you are in, choosing the right type of valves for your application is essential for safety and customer satisfaction. Proper installation and maintenance of valves may even be legally required. Valves are an integral part of any pipeline system and a significant investment for businesses. Therefore, it is important for your engineers to understand how all types of valves work.

How do you know which type of valve is best for your system? Keep reading to learn more about the most common types of flow control valves to help you make an informed decision.

1. Ball Valves

Ball valves use a spherical plug design that contains a bored passage. These valves can be operated manually using a lever, which also indicates whether the valve is open or closed, or automatically with an actuator. This type of valve provides excellent control of liquid flow and ensures a secure shutoff when closed. They are commonly used in sewage treatment, chemical processes, and paper production.

2. Check Valves

Check valves prevent the reversal of fluid flow within piping. They remain open with the flowing fluid, and if the fluid reverses, the valve closes. This type includes lift checks and swing checks.

3. Butterfly Valves

These valves are typically used in the oil and gas processing industries, oil and gas transmission, water and sewage facilities, and thermal and hydroelectric power stations. They are favored for being lightweight, easy to operate, self-cleaning, and having minimal pressure drop when open.

4. Gate Valves

Gate valves function best as isolating or stop valves, allowing either full flow or no flow. When completely opened, fluid flows in a straight line, resulting in minimal pressure drop due to low resistance to flow.

5. Globe Valves

Globe valves feature a unique design that directs fluid flow to change direction twice. They are ideal for throttling and regulating flow while addressing wire drawing and seat erosion. Although cheaper than gate valves, globe valves exhibit greater resistance to flow.

6. Needle Valves

Needle valves allow precise control of flow with their sharp pointed disc and matching seat. They are commonly used for chemical feed control services or continuous blowoff. It is important to note, however, that needle valves usually handle only relatively low flow rates while providing precision control.

Purchasing These Types of Flow Control Valves

As indicated, the most suitable flow control valves for your operation depend on your specific application. Understanding your options ensures you make the right decision while being informed maximizes your ability to choose effectively.

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Flow Control Valves: What are the Most Common ...

Numerous valve types serve diverse industries and applications. Flow control valve types range from simple to sophisticated designs, with some capable of adjusting automatically to pressure and temperature variations. Regardless of their construction, flow control valves regulate the flow or pressure of fluids, responding to signals generated by flow meters or temperature gauges.

What’s the Function of a Flow Control Valve?

Flow control valves provide various functions within a hydraulic flow system based on the specific type employed. One key use is regulating the speed of motors or cylinders. This function stems from a flow control valve's capacity to impact the rate of energy transfer by adjusting the flow rate. The ability to reduce or increase pressure within a system has numerous advantages.

System operators can use flow control valves to depressurize hoses rapidly, allowing for quick fitting changes. They are found in many consumer applications, including showers, faucets, and lawn watering systems, to reduce water consumption without compromising overall system performance. Renowned for their reliability, flow control valves typically maintain a long operating life and have a design that minimizes clogging.

Due to their adaptable performance parameters, flow control valves have widespread applications in materials handling, food processing, and automated factory and warehouse equipment.

The most common valve types in flow control industries include:

Continue reading to explore each of these types of flow control valves and their functions.

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1. Gate Valves

Gate valves are general service valves primarily used for on/off, non-throttling service, enabling a straight-line flow of fluid with minimal restriction. They operate by rotating the stem either clockwise to close (CTC) or counterclockwise to open (CTO). The mechanism translates the user’s rotation into movement of the gate, defining it as a multi-turn valve that prevents water hammer effects due to its slow operation. Engineers utilize gate valves where a minimum pressure loss and a free bore are required, enjoying a typical design with no flow path obstruction.

Gate valves can service various fluids, including potable water and neutral liquids, in temperatures between -20 and 70 degrees Celsius with maximum 5 meters/second flow velocity and 16 bar differential pressure. They can also handle gases under similar temperature and velocity constraints.

Two types of gate valves exist: parallel and wedge-shaped. Parallel gate valves accommodate a flat gate between two parallel seats, while wedge-shaped gate valves involve inclined seats and an inclined gate designed to create an optimal seal.

2. Globe Valves

Globe valves, known for their linear motion, stop, start, and regulate flow. They consist of a plug with a flat or convex bottom that meets a horizontal seat within the valve body, initiating closure. When opened, the plug elevates to allow fluid flow. While globe valves do present slightly higher pressure drops compared to straight-through valves like gate, plug, and ball valves, they remain suitable when valve-induced pressure losses are not a controlling factor.

The typical practical size limit for globe valves is NPS 12 (DN 300), primarily because the pressure acting on the disc is transferred to the valve stem. However, larger globe valves (up to NPS 48) have been engineered for certain applications.

3. Pinch Valves

A cost-effective option, pinch valves excel in applications involving slurries or liquids with significant suspended solids. They utilize one or more flexible elements like rubber tubes that can be pinched to cease flow, with these sleeves providing the only wetted parts. Air or hydraulic pressure actuates pinch valves by compressing the elastomer sleeve, effectively allowing the valve body to serve as a built-in actuator, enhancing cost-effectiveness.

4. Diaphragm Valves

Characterized by a flexible disc that presses against the seat at the top of the valve body, diaphragm valves establish a seal through their elastomeric diaphragm, responding to pressure changes to control flow. Unlike pinch valves, diaphragm valves separate the flow stream from the closure element, ideal for managing corrosive, erosive, or unclean substances.

Diaphragm valves boast numerous advantages: they are exceptionally clean, offer a leak-proof seal, facilitate easy maintenance, and significantly reduce leakage to the environment. However, they are limited to moderate temperatures (-60 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit) and pressures, incapable of multi-turn operations without standard dimensional options. Additionally, their bodies must be composed of corrosion-resistant materials.

5. Needle Valves

Needle valves are volume control valves that regulate flow in smaller lines. They change orifice size through a cone-tipped rod positioned against a seat, allowing for fine-tuned control. While they are similar to globe valves in design and benefits, needle valves excel in precision, making them ideal for calibration applications.

Offering positive shutoff, needle valves allow safe installation or removal of instruments like gauges. Their finely threaded valve stem provides significant mechanical advantage for sealing with minimal force. However, visual inspection alone may not suffice to establish the open or closed status of a needle valve.

Flow control valves are essential components across a broad range of industries. Choosing the best flow control valve type for your application requires considering various criteria, with commonly used options including gate valves, globe valves, pinch valves, diaphragm valves, and needle valves.

Other Types of Flow Control Valves

Beyond the five main types, other flow control valves possess unique features suitable for specific applications. Examples include:

Butterfly valve: Operated by rotating a disk, butterfly valves do not exhibit linear flow characteristics, making them less precise than the previously mentioned types. Nevertheless, they serve various applications where high accuracy isn't critical while remaining a more affordable option.

Plug valve: These valves regulate flow by rotating a cylindrical or cone-shaped plug within the valve body. The most common is the eccentric plug valve, known for creating higher seating force with minimal friction, suited for effective flow control.

Ball valve: Ball valves are widely utilized for their low cost, durability, and excellent shutoff capability. Similar to butterfly valves, they may not provide the desired accuracy for flow control applications. Moreover, the considerable torque necessary to operate them can hinder fine adjustments.

Flow control valves are utilized in diverse applications, including plumbing, mechanical, and gas dispensing scenarios. Numerous factors influence the appropriate selection of a flow control valve, such as fluid characteristics, service conditions, operation frequency, and environmental considerations. Comparing valve functions and performances against application specifications will assist in identifying the most suitable flow control valve for your needs.

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