Choosing the right valve may seem like a small part of an industrial project, but it can have a major impact on system performance, safety and efficiency.
Valves regulate, direct and control the flow of liquids, gases and other materials throughout piping systems. Selecting the wrong valve can contribute to pressure problems, leaks, inefficient operation and increased maintenance.
Understanding the basic valve types can help you make a better purchasing decision.
1. Ball Valves: Reliable Shutoff
Ball valves use a rotating ball with an opening through the center to control flow. They are commonly selected when a system needs dependable on/off operation.
Best suited for:
- Quick shutoff applications
- Water and gas systems
- Industrial processing
- Applications requiring minimal flow restriction
Ball valves are popular because they are durable, easy to operate and capable of creating a tight seal.
2. Butterfly Valves: Efficient Flow Control
Butterfly valves use a rotating disc positioned inside the pipe to regulate flow.
Because of their compact design, they can be an effective option for larger pipe sizes where space, weight and ease of operation are important considerations.
Common applications include:
- Water systems
- HVAC systems
- Industrial processing
- Large-diameter piping
Butterfly valves can provide an efficient combination of flow control and shutoff capabilities.
3. Gate Valves: Full-Flow Applications
Gate valves operate by raising or lowering a gate inside the valve body.
When fully open, they allow fluid to travel through the system with relatively little obstruction. For this reason, gate valves are generally better suited for applications where the valve will remain completely open or completely closed rather than being used to regulate flow.
4. Globe Valves: Greater Flow Regulation
When precise flow regulation is needed, a globe valve may be a better choice.
Unlike gate valves, globe valves are designed to regulate flow by changing the position of an internal disc.
They can be useful for systems where operators need greater control over how much fluid passes through the piping system.
5. Check Valves: Preventing Backflow
Check valves serve an important purpose: helping prevent fluid from flowing backward through a piping system.
These valves generally operate automatically based on pressure and flow direction.
KNS Industrial Supply offers several check valve options, including butterfly, bronze, swing, cast iron flanged and dual-plate configurations.
6. Control and Relief Valves: Managing System Conditions
Some industrial applications require more than basic on/off functionality.
Control valves help regulate variables such as flow, pressure or temperature within a system.
Relief valves are designed to respond when system pressure reaches predetermined conditions, making proper valve selection particularly important for operational safety and system protection.
What Should You Consider When Selecting a Valve?
Before ordering, consider:
- Media: What liquid, gas or material will move through the valve?
- Pressure: What operating pressure must the valve withstand?
- Temperature: What temperatures will the system experience?
- Flow requirements: Do you need shutoff, regulation or backflow prevention?
- Pipe size: Does the valve match the piping system?
- Materials: Is corrosion or chemical exposure a concern?
- Standards: Are there industry or project-specific requirements?
Looking at these factors before purchasing can help reduce costly mistakes and ensure the valve is appropriate for the intended application.
One Supplier. More Solutions.
Industrial systems rarely require valves alone. Pipe, fittings, valves and related MRO products must work together to create an efficient and reliable system.
KNS Industrial Supply offers a comprehensive selection of industrial valves and procurement support to help customers identify solutions suited to their operational requirements.
Need Help Selecting Your Industrial Valves?
Don’t leave an important system component to guesswork.
Contact KNS Industrial Supply today to discuss your application, specifications and valve requirements or to request a quote.
