Many things make life easy, yet one hardly realise their worth. One such device is a valve.

Industrial valves are instruments used to handle the flow or pressure of liquid or gases in a system. These versatile tools are operated anywhere and everywhere, from roads to homes to industrial facilities, etc.

They have a plethora of benefits for various purposes. They can be found worldwide and are produced by many dedicated manufacturers.

Ball 

In a ball valve, a ball controls the flow of a substance from one end to another. These valves essentially regulate the outpour of liquid or gas.

These pieces are versatile and used to control gases due to their extraordinary sealing capabilities. They come in various ranges and shapes and are incredibly easy to operate.

Advantages

  • There are many advantages to this piece. They enable 90° rotation and provide tight sealing. 
  • Compared to other valves, they involve relatively low maintenance and are affordable.
  • They come with subpar throttling characteristics, which help in the erosion of the seat of the component.
  • The design is flexible and very easy to use.

Applications

These pieces are indispensable in the oil and gas industry. As their control is incredible, they protect equipment by limiting the flow of oil and gas.

Gate

These pieces control liquid through pipelines. Fitted through pipes, they act as a gateway for the liquid to pass through. They are so beneficial that you can find them anywhere, from houses to factories. 

The most common matters used to manufacture these components are steel, alloy steel or cast iron. The design also varies as they come with different stems and wedges.

Usually, these pieces can be of two types: wedge-shaped and parallel.

Advantages

  • They have a small entry and exit torque.
  • The flow direction is also not limited as they allow liquid to flow in two directions.
  • Flow resistance is relatively small.
  • The structure is simple and hence easy to employ.
  • The manufacturing quality is better than other counterparts.

Application

These pieces are most commonly found in the water industry. They are also called isolation valves, as they can isolate flow completely when maintenance is required.

Butterfly

Unlike others, butterfly valves do not provide complete control over the flow. They give limited access and are used in places where tight closure is unnecessary.

But over the years, the design has seen significant changes. Now, many butterfly valves provide tight closure with the help of close-knit seals.

Just like ball valves, butterfly valves also provide 90° rotation. As they are easy to operate, they can be employed manually and even electronically.

Advantages

  • Butterfly valves throttle and regulate flow in open and closed positions, unlike gate valves.
  • The loss of pressure is also lower in a butterfly valve.
  • This piece comes in both small and large sizes.
  • They are also very accurate and reliable, needing very little maintenance.
  • The installation and removal process is pretty simple and does not need the dislocation of the pipe system.

Applications

These pieces are primarily used in food processing, chemical, automobile or pharmaceutical industries.

Industrial valves are an integral part of life and everywhere. Their intense ubiquitousness explains their demand. 

Hopefully, this article gave you ample information regarding valves and helped you choose the one necessary for you. Contact a reliable supplier for the best deal today.

By Grace