Types of valves in industry
In the industrial world, where the process is related to fluid processing, it is certainly no stranger to the term valve. In every series of piping systems, of course there are tools used to regulate the amount of fluid flow to be used, so that the process can run properly. One simple example, the valve that is most often encountered is the water faucet that we use every day. In addition to valves for water pipes, there are valves for gas, and there are many types of valves used in certain process fields.
Valve is a device that functions to regulate, direct, and control fluid flow by opening and closing or closing part of the fluid flow path. Valve operation can be done manually, namely by lever, handle, screw rotation, and so on.
There are various types of valves that are used according to their respective designations. Each type of valve has a specific function and working principle.
Here are the various valves with how they work:
- Gate Valve
Is a type of valve that is used to open and close the flow by lifting and lowering the closing gate. When the gate is lifted, the flow will open and when the gate is lowered, the flow is closed.
- Globe valve
It has a working principle similar to a gate valve, namely lifting and lowering the disc from its seat to open and close the fluid flow.
- Ball valve
Ball valve is a valve with a flow regulator in the form of a solid ball that has a hole in the middle. If the position of the ball hole is one axis with the axis of the fluid flow pipe, then the valve opens and flow occurs.
- Butterfly Valve
Butterfly valves are generally used for low pressure fluid flow. The design of this type of valve is very simple, that is, there is a disk that can rotate vertically in the middle of the pipe and only rotates turn to be fully open or fully closed.
- Plug valve
Plug valve serves to regulate the flow of fully open or fully closed (isolation or on / off control). To open and close the flow, the plug has a hole where the flow is like in a ball valve but the inside is not a ball, but a cylinder.
- Check Valve
Check valve is a device used to make fluid flow only in one direction and not in the opposite direction. This valve prevents the flow of fluid back (reversed flow / back flow). The check valve does not use a handle to regulate the flow, but uses the force of gravity and the pressure of the fluid itself.
- Needle Valve
Needle valves are used in measuring instrumentation and meter lines to control fluid flow rates. This valve uses a needle with a conical tip that can go up and down to adjust the valve open or closed. The fluid flow rate can be controlled by adjusting the number of turns of the handle.
- Safety Valve
Safety valve is used to secure the piping system. This valve will release excess pressure on the piping system to prevent damage and casualties.
