5 Valves We Would Recommend To Every Engineer

Valves are an important part of almost every industrial business, providing a simple but essential function. Here are some of the valves that every engineer needs to know about if we wish to be an expert in their industry – whether it is gas, oil or water production.

1. Plug Valves

Plug valves are an ideal solution for stopping the flow of fluid. They are quick to turn off thanks to their small size meaning the flow can be stopped fast and easily. It works with a cylinder sized plug that rotates to open and close. The only problem one might encounter, however, is the force of the actuation needed to operate it as plug valves are regularly high in friction. They can also come in a firesealed design.

2. Butterfly Valves

If you need to isolate and regulate flow as well as stopping or starting it, butterfly valves may be the product you are looking for. The valve takes the form of a disc will come with a gearbox attached to stem that you can use to control the valve. They are built to cope with dropping to low pressures and recovering to high ones. They are also one of the most cost-efficient and simplest to use. But there is one issue to be aware of; the simplicity comes at the expense of speed.

3. Ball Valves

Actuated ball valves are very similar in design to the aforementioned butterfly valves. However, the ball valves have a spherical disk at the centre through which the flow is controlled. When the ball is opened, the holes in the ball will be adjusted so that flow can pass through it. When it is rotated close, it will shut the flow off. The balls can withstand temperatures of up to 752 degrees Fahrenheit and come in metal, plastic and ceramic styles.

4. Globe Valves

You will probably already be aware of globe valves. They are one of the most common types you can find. It is a spherical valve that is commonly found in stainless steel The plug is connected to the stem of the valves which operators can use on the manual products via a handwheel. They are the best option when the valve in question requires frequent use.

5. Bellow Sealed Valves

There are two types of bellow valves that every engineer should have committed to memory: the forged bellow and welded bellow. Both are designed to handle fluids that are emitting a high pressure. They are commonly used in the oil industry in which fluid is high in temperature. These are also recommended if you are using hazardous chemicals like hydrogen or phosgene.