Valves are used to control the flow of fluids like water, gas, oil, or slurry in a piping system for domestic, commercial, and industrial purposes. They help regulate pressure, prevent backflow, and protect pipelines from damage. 

Different valves are designed for specific applications; some completely stop the flow, while others regulate it. Common valve types include gate valves, butterfly valves, plug valves, and more, each serving a unique purpose.

Valves also help prevent issues like water hammering, seal leakage, and equipment damage in pipelines, ensuring efficient and safe operations.

In this article, we’ll explore some common types of valves, their working process, and where they are commonly used.

How Do The Valves Work?

Valves work as mechanical switches to allow the flow of fluids and gases through them in a controlled way. 

They operate in two main ways: open (allowing flow) and closed (stopping flow). Some valves also allow partial flow regulation.

The open and close valves contain discs, wedges, or balls that open, close, or regulate the water flow by rotation of a wedge. When the wedge rotates, the disk, wedges, or balls move accordingly, creating an obstruction in the path of fluid or gases to stop the flow or create a gap that allows the flow of fluid.

Types Of Valves

1. Gate Valve

A Gate Valve is a type of linear motion valve that works to start or stop fluid flow fully by raising or lowering a gate inside the valve. It is commonly used in water supply systems and is also known as a stop valve, line valve, wedge gate valve, or sluice valve.

The gate valves are operated by a handwheel, a valve T-key, or automatically with an actuator. These valves are designed for on/off control and generate rotational energy to open or shut the fluid flow. When fully open, they allow unrestricted flow with minimal resistance.

These valves are not used for regulating flow, but they are affordable and easy to maintain. Gate valves are best suited for isolating sections of pipelines during maintenance or repairs.

Applications

• Used in water supply to control the flow of water.
• Used in mining and refining processes to control the flow of ore, slurry, and chemicals.
• Used in pharmaceuticals to ensure tight sealing to prevent contamination.
• Used in marine applications to fuel control and ballast systems.
• Used in offshore applications to cool water systems

2. Globe Valve

Globe valves are multi-turn and linear motion valves. It is designed to regulate fluid flow in pipeline systems by adjusting the flow rate in the pipeline. 

It has a round body with a movable disc inside that moves up or down to adjust the flow. Unlike gate valves, which only turn flow on or off, globe valves can regulate how much fluid passes through.

Globe valves are more complex than other valves and can be operated manually with a handwheel or automatically with pneumatic, electric, or hydraulic actuators. These valves provide better flow control and leak prevention.

Applications

• Controlling water flow and leakage.
• Used in water treatment plants to regulate water precisely 
• Used in power plants to maintain the flow of water into boilers
• Used in the industrial processes of cooling systems and chemical feed systems.

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3. Ball Valve

A ball valve is a quarter-turn valve used to control the flow of fluids or gases through a rotating ball inside the valve. These valves have two-way or multi-port designs, allowing fluid to flow in multiple directions as needed.

It uses a hollow ball with a hole in the center to control fluid flow. When the hole lines up with the pipe, the flow is open. When the handle turns the ball 90 degrees, the hole is blocked, and the flow is closed. 

The ball valves can be operated manually and are strong and reliable.

Applications

• Used in washing machines and dishwashers for home applications
• Used in the oil and gas industries  for better sealing performance
• Used in the food and beverage industries to maintain high volume, temperature, and pressure.
• Used in Vehicle wash systems to shut off the water flow in a controlled way
• Used in irrigation and water treatment to distribute water precisely in a controlled way.

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4. Plug Valve

A plug valve uses a cylindrical or cone-shaped plug inside the valve body to control fluid flow. It works with a quarter-turn rotation, where the plug rotates 90 degrees to either open or close the valve.

It has one or more hollow passageways that allow fluid to flow through when aligned with the pipe. When the handle is turned 90 degrees, the plug either lines up with the pipe to let fluid flow or sits perpendicular to block the flow.

It is mainly useful for slurry applications, but in light industrial applications as well as controlling flow.

Applications

• Used in coiled tubing, cementing, and high-pressure/temperature materials.
• A lubricative plug valve is used to prevent systems from clogging and corrosion.
• Used in oil and coal slurries due to their lower clogging properties.

5. Butterfly Valve

A butterfly valve controls the flow of liquids or gases in a pipeline using a disc that rotates 90 degrees to open or close the flow. Depending on the application, there are various butterfly valve types designed for different pressure and flow requirements.

Typically, a butterfly valve is fitted on the stem of the pipeline system. A rod is connected to the disc of the valve that joins externally with the actuator, which helps to rotate the disc either parallel or perpendicular to flow. 

Flotaa’s Smart Centralized Wireless Valve Controller makes this process easy with an IoT-enabled system that includes a butterfly valve, an actuator, and a smart controller. 

It allows remote operation via a web app, has an IP67 enclosed actuator for durability, an LED for status updates, and runs on 220V AC power, making flow management simple and efficient even under high pressure or extreme temperatures.

Applications

• Used in energy production and petroleum processing to face high temperatures and pressure.
• Used in slurries services due to less clogged property
• Vacuum Services
• Compressed air and gas Applications

6. Check Valve

A check valve is mainly used to prevent the backflow of fluid or gases by allowing flow in only one direction. It is also known as a non-return valve or one-way valve. 

Check valves offer to protect systems like pumps, motors, and pipeline systems from severe issues such as contamination, system damage, unwanted maintenance costs, and problems like water hammers.

These valves have two openings. The first is a free-flow direction that allows fluid to flow through it, and the second is a non-return direction that prevents backflow. Check valves are simple, cost-effective, and reliable.

Applications

• Used in water treatment plants to prevent backflow of untreated water in the reservoir.
• Used in the oil and gas industry to prevent leaks, fires, explosions, and contaminations.
• Used in hydraulic systems to allow fuel flow in one direction.
• HVAC Systems

7. Needle Valve

A needle valve is used to start, stop, or control the flow rate of the liquid or air in a pipeline system. It has a long, tapered needle contained at the end of the valve stem known as a plunger. The plunger can rotate manually or automatically by a motor or actuator that helps to move the plunger up and down. 

The rotation of the plunger changes the opening gap between the needle and the surface of the valve. A small opening results in a low flow rate, while a larger opening allows for a higher flow rate. When the needle closes against the surface, the flow is completely stopped.

Applications

• The needle valve is used to control the flow of the hydraulic fluids.
• Needle valves control the flow of air in vacuum applications.
• It controls the compressed air in pneumatic systems.
• Used to control the flow of gases, hydrogen, helium, and propane in gas industries.

8. Pinch Valve

Pinch valves are used to obstruct or regulate the flow by throttling in the linear motion method using the pinching principle. It is commonly used to control the flow of corrosive, abrasive, or granular media.

It contains a sleeve of moulded rubber or synthetic materials that pinches by hard strips on tubes by air or hydraulic pressure. To close the tubes or sleeves, rigid metal strips pinch in the middle of the tube. These tubes are completely cavity-free to carry slurries. When compressed air enters the valve, then the tube pinches into an oval shape at the centre and completely shuts off the flow.

Applications

• Used in industrial wastewater to control thick materials or solids.
• Used in the cement industries to carry and flow sand and silica
• Used in chemical industries to control liquids, greases, and minerals.
• Used in ceramic/plastic industries to supply raw materials.

9. Diaphragm Valve

A diaphragm valve, also known as a membrane valve, contains an elastomeric diaphragm that shuts off fluid flow. The diaphragm works as a flow control device, obstructing, regulating, or isolating fluid flow. The flexible position of the diaphragms helps regulate the fluid through linear movement.

A diaphragm valve contains a stem, bonnet, compressor, diaphragm, and actuator. It is a multiturn valve, so the stem can rotate 360 degrees or more. The thin layer of the diaphragm contacts the valve seat to close the flow and works as a tight seal. When the actuator rotates, the diaphragm moves away from the valve seat and allows the flow through it.

Applications

• Used in the oil and gas Industries to prevent corrosion and precise flow control.
• Used in wastewater treatment to deionisers, reverse osmosis, and filtration.
• Used in the semiconductor industry due to high corrosion resistivity.

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10. Solenoid Valves

Solenoid valves are electromagnetic valves that convert electrical energy into mechanical energy to control the flow of fluids or gases. A plunger is used in the solenoid valve, moves in a linear way after applying a magnetic field, and allows the fluid or gas to flow. The different designs, sizes, and construction materials are allowed for use in various applications.

When the electricity is applied to the solenoid valves, the plunger moves away due to the magnetic field and creates a gap to allow fluid flow. When the electricity cuts, the plunger comes to its original situation and the supply cuts.

Applications

• Used in automotive applications to interlock devices, Joystick Control.
• Used in medical applications to dialysis machines and blood pressure monitoring devices.
• Used in railway applications for locomotives to rolling stock, tracks, and signals.
• Used in industrial applications for refrigeration, air compression, and lubrication systems.

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11. Pressure Relief Valve

Pressure relief valves are used as safety devices for equipment, humans, and the environment due to high-pressure harmful events. When the pressure increases in the system beyond the limit, then the valve allows the release of the pressure away from it.

The pressure relief valve is a control valve and a direct-acting device that is connected to the system. The valve’s internal parts face the normal pressure, but when the downstream pressure increases beyond the set limit, it forces the relief valve to open. When the relief valve opens, the fluid of the over-pressure area discharges from it to another section or in the environment.

Applications

• Used in the oil and gas Industries to release automatically excess pressure
• Used in petrochemical industries to prevent environmental contamination.
• Power Generation Systems
• Chemical Processing Systems

12. Angle Seat Valve

The Angle Seat Valve is used to overcome the flow resistance and pressure loss in fluid or gaseous systems. These problems are reduced due to the angled seat design. These valves are durable and reliable to high cycles, high temperatures, high pressure, and viscosity. These valves can be operated manually, electrically, and by actuators.

Angle seat valves are two-way, two-piston pneumatic valves. It is operated by air supply. The closing valve always closes in the absence of pressure and is reset by the spring. Opening valves are open until an air pressure is generated.

The piston moves and is lifted from the seat when the actuator provides a linear motion. The flow is less obstructed due to the seat being in an angled position, so the loss of pressure is less, and there is a smooth flow. Smooth flow always reduces the problem of water hammering.

Applications

• Used in food and beverage industries to fill systems and sterilisation processes.
• Used in chemical industries to handle aggressive and corrosive chemicals.
• Used in the oil and gas industry for steam process, process isolation and control.
• Used in water treatment processes, sludge control and cleaning processes.

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Conclusion

The various valves mentioned are commonly used in pumps, plumbing systems, and HVAC systems to prevent leakage and ensure smooth fluid flow.

When choosing the right valve, it is essential to know about factors such as valve function, size, material, type, and flow capacity. Understanding how they work and where they are used can help ensure better performance, safety, and durability in any system.

For the best results, consulting an expert or a plumber can help you select the most suitable valve for your specific needs.

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