Hello Folks, the industrial valves are so underrated by people. Here I gave you a few details about industrial valves and their usage. So let’s start exploring.
A valve is a device or a tool that moves between two pipes to stop the flow of water or similar fluids, change the flow direction, or release it.
The device is often using in systems where fluid pressure is important to limit the pressure in case of an increase in pressure or to cut off the flow of pressure in dangerous situations.
Today’s valves do more than just control fluid flow. The valves control the flow, pressure, and direction, as well as the passage of gases, sludge, and dry materials through the pipe.
Different valves can produce in different sizes and materials for a variety of applications. A valve can be classified as a radiator valve, a solenoid valve, a chamber valve, a ball valve, a thermostatic radiator valve, or a flanged valve. Today, valves are widely use. Some Industrial valves can withstand temperatures as low as -270 °C and pressure as high as 7000 bar, depending on the type. As far as connectivity is concerned, valves can be flanged, threaded, or welded. Most valves today are operated manually. Mechanical and gear-driven valves are also available.
A valve is made by forging or casting billet materials and then welding multiple materials together. Most of the parts in their bodies are added during production, and sometimes parts are added later.
How is the valve produced?
It is possible to produce valves in any diameter and from any material. Fluids can be controlled by valves, from gases to high-impact chemicals, steam, toxic gases, and radioactive materials. Depending on the pressure and temperature, they can operate from very cold temperatures to very hot temperatures and from vacuum pressures to high pressures exceeding hundreds of bars. Different Industrial valves are use for different pipe diameters, system structures, and pressures.
Usage Areas of Valves
- Food facilities
- Shipbuilding
- Natural gas line
- Heating and cooling lines
- Paper mills
- Water and wastewater facilities
- Air handling units
- Fire extinguishing installations
- Energy stations
- Chemical and petrochemical facilities
- Gas and exhaust lines
- Piping installations
- Sanitary installations
- Engineering projects
- Water facilities
Classification of Valves
Valves by Flow Shape
Shut-off Valves: If the flow in the installation is at the desired rate and place, it controls it. It determines whether the flow is progressing or obstructed.
Throttle and Control Valves: It is use to change or adjust the pressure at the desired level. This valve controls the flow rate or temperature of the fluid.
The Valves by Connection Type
- Screw valves
- Flanged valves
- Welding connection valves
- Compression valves
- Union-connection valves
- Valves with clamp connection
- Connection valves with brazing
A Valves by Material Used
- The Valves with Metal material
- Valves with Elastomer material
- The Valves with Thermoplastic material
Valves by Body Shape
- One-piece valves
- Two-piece valves
- Three-piece valves
- Multi-piece valves
Valves by Usage Functions
- Temperature adjustment
- Drainage
- Pressure adjustment
- Mixing
- Level adjustment
- Closing
- Flow rate adjustment
- Pressure reduction
Valve parts
Body: It is the part that contains the materials that allow the passage of fluid and where the sealing takes place. It guides and connects the fluid within the pipe.
Cover: By being attached to the body, it provides the opening and closing process. By being attached to the body, it facilitates the assembly of many parts.
Opening and Closing Spindle: The valve is opened and closed from the outside through this part.
On-Off Shaft Seal: It prevents leaks between the parts inside the valve.
Closing Organ: Influences the flow of the valve.
Actuator: The opening or closing settings are made automatically as a result of it transmitting the movement to the closing body.
How Quality Valves Should Be
The materials inside determine the quality of the valve. The most common materials use in valves are stainless steel and copper alloy. There are stainless valves use in more than one place in an installation. The stainless valves can be interconnected in various ways. Based on their type, stainless valves are classified into different models and classes. Examples;
- The butterfly valve
- Needle valve
- Ball valve
- Socket valve
- Flanged valve
- Monoblock valve
- Gate valve
- Knife valve
- Globe valve
- Mini ball valve
In terms of quality, stainless valve types are divided into two groups. There is the 304 quality valve and the 316 quality valve.
304 Quality Valve: It is mainly use in liquid and fluid groups. The low carbon and low chromium content of 304 valves enable them to use in a variety of applications. The material belongs to the austenite stainless steel class with 18% chromium and 8% nickel.
316 Quality Valve: Typically, it is use in lines where chemical flow is provided. Valve 316 Quality performs the transfer process for materials such as seawater and oil. Which have a high abrasion power. Several high-chromium iron alloys are use to manufacture these Industrial valves.
Stainless Steel Threaded Ball Valve
In general, these valves are use in flows where the pressure lies between 16 and 100 bars. Flows are transferred across these valves’ pierced balls. The Stainless threaded valves are divide into two or three parts according to the number of parts in their bodies.
Also, read Safety Valve – Your Safety from Explosions
Stainless Butterfly Valve
Stainless butterfly valves are commonly use in food and chemical plants. As these valves are install in very hygienic lines, they must use with hygienic fittings.
Stainless Flanged Valve
Flanged valves operate similarly to ball valves. But they are more commonly use in situations in which ball valves cannot withstand pressure. When the pressure is very high, flanged valves are use.
Copper Alloy Valves
Air with high pressure is use in hot and cold water installations as well as in non-abrasive flow systems.
Valve Types
- Ball valves
- Radiator valves
- Thermostatic valves
- Collector valves
- Mini ball valves
- Check valve
- Floater Valves
- Cyber valve groups
- By-Pass connection collectors
- Pressure reducer with safety valve
Aira Euro Automation is a leading valve manufacturer in India, Aira has a wide range of pneumatic and manually operated industrial valves. They export their products to more than 20 countries including Gulf countries.