Valves are mechanical equipment that is positioned in fluid systems that allow you to regulate, stop, and restore the flow of fluid through an application. Plumbing valves come in a wide range of varieties with several applications. Whether you’re designing an industrial pipe network or repairing a household’s plumbing, it’s important to know the types of valves your system requires.
Your system will run more smoothly if you install the valve that is best for your application, which you can do by learning which valve type to use. Globe valves, gate valves, and ball valves are the three types of valves that are used the most frequently. In this article, we’ll look at some of the most common applications for these valves as well as the valves themselves.
Globe Valves vs. Gate Valves vs. Ball Valves
How do you determine which valve type to employ for your application when there are so many different varieties available? When choosing the type of valve to utilize for your application, it is important to be aware of these distinctions. The features and functions of each type of valve are covered below.
Globe Valves
One of the most popular types of valves used in industrial settings is globe valves. They are categorized as linear motion valves, which implies that the valve’s opening and shutting to the fluid flow is accomplished by a movable plug that moves perpendicularly. The fact that globe valves are effective at managing flow in high-pressure applications, high temperatures, or particularly viscous mediums makes them a common fixture in power plants and other industrial settings.
How does a globe valve work?
Globe valves were the de facto norm for control valves for many years. Since the two sides of the body are divided by an internal baffle, they are named for their spherical body form. The valve can be closed by screwing movable plus or discs into an aperture that creates on the seat of the device. Instead of threaded stems, the majority of automated globe valves function by using an actuator assembly to open and close.
Application
Globe valves can be beneficial in a number of scenarios, including those in which flow must be regulated but not at a constant rate. They are suitable for applications that demand a safe, leak-proof, corrosion-resistant solution. Globe valves are more expensive than gate valves due to their capabilities, but they are a worthwhile investment in some situations.
Gate Valves
Gate valves are sometimes referred to as “multi-turn valves” because they need many 360-degree turns of the handwheel to open or close the valve. Due to their poor throttling capabilities, they are regarded as shutdown valves as opposed to control valves. Gate valves offer a tight shutdown and are thus frequently employed for media isolation. Gate valves don’t compel the medium to shift direction (as a globe valve does), hence they don’t create much of a pressure drop.
How does a gate valve work?
One of the first valve designs, the gate valve, is best suited for on-off, predominantly liquid, operation. For a gate valve to work, a rectangular or circular gate must be raised out of the fluid’s flow. Gate valves are full bore when fully opened, which means nothing is obstructing the flow as the pipeline diameter and the gate diameter have the same opening. The valve size is also influenced by this bore diameter. The exceptionally low friction loss of this fullbore design is a benefit that lowers the total cost of ownership and conserves energy.
Application
The gate valve, which is distinguished by a wedge-shaped disc, is frequently used to isolate media since it has a high degree of sealing ability. In situations when a tight seal is required, this type of valve might be employed. In a thicker and more viscous medium, a unique type of gate valve called a knife gate valve is utilized.
Ball Valves
A ball valve features a spherical disc that may be opened, closed, or just partially opened to regulate the flow of fluids (liquids, gases, and slurries). Solid-element ball valves have exceptional longevity and the capacity to keep working properly even after extended periods of inactivity. It features a spherical insert inside the conduit that is composed of stainless steel, chrome-plated brass, or brass.
Another prominent type of ball valve is the automatic all valve. Motorized ball valves are automated water flow control valves. The actuated ball valves are usually reliable and long-lasting, shutting firmly even after many cycles or extended periods of inactivity. Due to its special qualities, motorised ball valves are a significant investment for shut-off and flow regulation applications.
How does a ball valve work?
Ball valves have a ball inside the valve. A ball valve is a type of quarter-turn valve that controls flow through it using a hollow, perforated, and rotating ball known as a “floating ball.” When the ball’s hole is parallel to the flow, the valve is open; when the valve handle pivots the ball 90 degrees, the valve is closed. The handle allows for simple visual confirmation of the valve’s condition since it sits flat in line with the flow when the valve is open and perpendicular to it when it is closed.
Application
Due to its simplicity of use and upkeep, the ball valve is one of the most often utilized in both home and commercial applications. It is also a very adaptable valve that may be used for a variety of tasks, including managing water flow in a plumbing system and controlling the oil flow in an oil refinery.
Valve Type Pros and Cons
Globe Valves
Pros
- Fast-acting capability
- Can regulate media flow
- Able to handle media that is corrosive, viscous, high-pressure, or temperature
- Good shutoff capability.
- Easy to maintain and resurface the seats.
- Low chance of leakage
Cons
- Ample space for disc assembly
- More substantial than other valves
- Add resistance to the media flow
- Lower close-off rating than other valves especially in larger sizes.
Gate Valves
Pros
- Pose minimal resistance to media flow
- Suitable for use with viscous liquids and slurries
- Used as a shut-off valve
- Easy to maintain and disassemble
- Cost-effective
- Inherently fire-resistant (when used with a metal sheet)
- Multidirectional
Cons
- Low-pressure constraints
- Slow opening and closing
- Greater propensity for corrosion
- Can lead to water hammer.
- Leak-prone and less robust than ball valves
Ball Valves
Pros
- Excellent for high volume, high pressure, and high-temperature flow
- Robust and reliable
- Low cost of acquisition and maintenance
- Allows for the examination and replacement of seats and seals without removing the valves’ bodies from the line.
- Requires no lubrication
- High flow capacity and negligible pressure drop.
- Pose minimal opposition to media flow
Cons
- Low throttling capabilities
- Contamination due to difficulty in cleaning
- Ineffective for controlling the flow
- Water hammer might result from a fast cycle time.
Bottom Line
Choosing the correct valve for the job at hand is sometimes important since improper use can have disastrous effects on safety, finances, and the environment. When selecting the ideal valve for a particular application, several factors must be carefully taken into account, but generally speaking, the selection procedure aims to match the valve’s functioning with its intended use.
Gate, ball and globe valves are widely used in residential, commercial, municipal, and industrial settings for isolation (on/off) and throttling (flow control) applications. Choose a reputable industrial valve manufacturer in India and conduct thorough research before making any decisions when looking for a valve for commercial or industrial usage.
In order to meet the constantly growing demands of customers, Emechmart is pleased to offer you a wide selection of gate, ball, and globe valves. If you have any questions about a valve or do not see one that matches your needs, please contact Emechmart right away.
