Fundamentals of Valves
Fundamentals of Valves
What is valve?
Classification of valves
Valve types.
Methods of controlling flow through a valve.
Basic Parts of the valve.
Valve types
What is valve?
A valve is a device that regulates, directs or controls the flow of a fluid by
opening, closing, or partially obstructing various passageways.
Valve Functions
❑ Stopping and starting fluid flow.
❑ Varying (throttling) the amount of fluid flow.
❑ Controlling the direction of fluid flow.
❑ Regulating downstream system or process pressure.
❑ Relieving component or piping over pressure.
Classification of Valves
The following are some of the com monly used valve classifications, based on
mechanical motion:
•Linear Motion Valves. The valves in which the closure member, as in gate, globe,
diaphragm, pinch moves in a straight line to allow, stop, or throttle the flow.
•Rotary Motion Valves. When the valve-closure member travels along an angular or
circular path, as in butterfly, ball, plug valves.
•Quarter Turn Valves. Some rotary motion valves require approximately a quarter turn,
0 through 90 , motion of the stem to go to fully open from a fully closed position or
vice versa.
Body
Bonnet
Trim (internal elements)
Actuator (Handwheel)
Packing
Basic Parts of the valve
Actuator (hand wheel)
Operates th e stem and disk
assembly. An actuato r may be
operated manually or
automatically.
Actuator
Packing
It is used to prevent leakage from
the space between the stem and
the bonnet.
Packing
Valve Selection Considerations
Body Materials
For small valves are usually brass, bronze, or forged steel
For larger valves, cast iron, cast ductile iron or cast steel as required for the
pressure and service.
Seat and Valve Disk Materials
The valve seat and valve disk are sometimes referred to as the valve trim
and are usually constructed of the same material selected to meet the
service requirements.
Threaded end
Welded ends
◦ When zero leakage is required for
environmental, safety, or any efficiency
reasons the piping can be welded to the
valve, providing one piece construction.
Many users insist that high-pressure Welded end
application requires a permanent end
especially if they involve high temperatures
Flanged ends
◦ The most expensive but are the best from
an installation and removal standpoint.
The main advantage of flanges is that the
valve can be removed easily from the line
Flanged end
Valve types
Advantages
oRecommended for throttling applications.
oGood for frequent operation.
oEasy to repair.
Disadvantages
oFlow path causes a significant pressure drop.
oGlobe valves are more costly than alternative
valves.
Globe_Valve_-_FBV. mp4
Gate Valves
Flow is controlled by raising or lowering the valving
element. Gate valves are not usually used to
regulate flow because the valving element can be
damaged when in the partially open position.
Similarly, they also limit the pressure drop across
the valve when fully open.
Advantages
• Gate valves opens or closes slowly, which prevents fluid hammer and
subsequent damage to the piping system.
• They need long operation time since setting the valve to the fully open or
closed position requires the handle to be turned many times.
Disadvantages
• It is not suitable for throttling applications.
• It is prone to vibration in the partially open state.
• It is more subject to seat and disk wear.
• Repairs, such as lapping and grinding, are generally more difficult to
accomplish.
Ball Valves
A ball valve is a rotational motion valve that uses a
ball-shaped disk to stop or start fluid flow.
Advantages
- Maintains and regulates high volume,
high pressure, and high temp flow
- Low purchase and maintenance costs.
- No lubrication requirements.
- Give tight sealing with low torque.
- Time of valve operation is minimized.
- Can be used for throttling service.
- Can handle fluids with suspended solids.
Disadvantages
- Have relatively poor throttling
characteristics.
- Difficult to clean, leads to contamination
Advantages
◦ They are suitable for large valve applications.
◦ Compact, lightweight design.
◦ The maintenance costs are usually low.
◦ Pressure drop across a butterfly valve is small.
◦ Used with chemical or corrosive media.
Disadvantages
◦ Difficult to clean
Butterfly_Valves. mp4
Diaphragm Valves
A diaphragm valve is a linear motion valve that is used to start,
regulate, and stop fluid flow. The name is derived from its
flexible disk, which mates with a seat located in the open area at
Advantages
- valve components can be isolated from the process fluid.
- Valve construction prevents leakage of the fluid without the
use of a gland seal (packing)
Disadvantages
- The diaphragm becomes worn more easily and regular
maintenance is necessary.
- These types of valves are generally not suited for very high
Advantages
- They are ideally suited for the handling of slurries, liquids with large
amounts of suspended solids, and
systems that convey solids pneumatically.
- Can be used for application where corrosion or metal
contamination of the fluid might be a problem.
- The flow passage is straight without any crevice.
- There are no internal moving parts in contact with the fluid.
- Low maintenance due to wear or pressure.
- Minimum items to change. Tube ONLY.
Disadvantages
- Cannot be used in high temperature/ pressure applications
- Cannot be used with gas media
Check Valves
Check valves are designed to prevent the reversal of flow in a piping system. These
valves are activated by the flowing material in the pipeline. The pressure of the fluid
passing through the system opens the valve, while any reversal of flow will close the
valve. Closure is accomplished by the weight of the check mechanism, by back
pressure, by a spring, or by a combination of these means. The general types of check
valves are swing, tilting-disk, piston, , and stop.
tilting-disk Check Valve