A valve is a tool that provides direction. That is the simplest way to explain it. A valve can be termed as a tool that directs, regulates or controls the flow of fluids, gases or fluidized solids. It is used to stop the medium flowing in one direction and wanting it to move to another direction where it opens. One of the interesting facts is that valve is derived from the Latin word “Valva,” which means the moving part of the door.
Valves are used in such abundance that they have separate categories now. With advancing technology, there are so many types of valves that are being made and used. There are so many companies that are in the business of providing valves to people and facilities who need it. While earlier, the valves involved manual effort to direct the flow, now the flow is automated.
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Let Us Take A Look At The Types Of Pipe Valves
Ball Valve
Similar to plug valve, a ball valve can also be termed as a quarter turn rotary motion valve. The only difference is that it uses a sphere shaped disk to stop or begin the flow of the fluid. A ball valve requires a turn up to 90° in the valve handle to effectively operate the valve. These are quick acting, small and lighter in weight type of valves.
Gate Valve
Gate Valve is one of the most basic types of pipe valve in any power plant. As the name suggests, this valve acts as a gate to begin or stop fluid flow. It works in linear motion. This type of valve can be used on any of the resources like gas, fluid, feed water, lube oil, steam or even hydrocarbon.
Butterfly Valve
This type of XHVAL valve is used to stop, start and regulate the flow of the fluids as it is a quarter turn rotary shift valve. It butterfly valves are small in size and very compact. It has a circular body. A butterfly valve is an ideal device for large valve applications due to its compact size and lightweight design. These valves are used in industrial places and are of considerably small size and work effectively.
Plug Valve
Plug valve is described as a valve that works on the principal of quarter turn rotary mechanics. Its disk is plug shape and has a side passage that allows the flow of fluid. Plug valve uses a tapered or cylindrical form of a plug to stop or start the flow of the fluid. It can be used inside a vacuum for high pressure or temperature applications.
Globe Valve
This valve offers regulation of the flow as well as provides with the tightness vs. the leak. This can be used at places that require the leak tightness. Globe valve assists to begin, stop and regulate the flow of the fluid. Additionally, this valve provides a better shut off as compare to the Gate Valve. Due to these very reasons, this is on the heavier side of the pocket.
Check Valve
This is the most ancient and basic type of valve that currently exists. This valve allows the flow of fluid for only one side. It does not allow the back-flow. The pressure of the fluid will open the valve, and the back-flow will close it. These are a very small type of valves and are absolutely inexpensive. These are usually used in household piping.
Pinch Valve
Pinch valve is a motion valve which is linear. It is used to begin, stop and regulate the flow of fluid in linear motion. It is commonly known as a clamp valve. It contains a pinch tube made of rubber, and the valve has got its name from the mechanism it uses. The fluid flow is controlled using the pinch mechanism. This valve type is ideal for slurries, fluids with large solids suspended and systems which have solid material often.
Usage Of Valve In Various Industries
Irrigation
Irritation requires a timely and controlled flow of water. That is the basic need of the activity and valves are an ideal choice. Valves are made to control and regulate the flow. With automated valves installed for irrigation, farmers can work on their crops more systematically.
Industrial Use
Valves are used in the industrial system at every step. Power plants use the valves in all their machinery. The entire working of the power plant is based on the stop, regulate and start technique, and that is precisely what valves help to do. Valves are placed in almost all industrial services at a lot of places for controlled work.
Residential Use
Valves are also utilized in the plumbing system in residential places. The entire sink and bathroom function is structured with the help of valves. The flow of water through taps is improved by placing valves in the pipeline that carries the water. Valves help build a house in many ways.
Military Sector
There is a lot of combat machinery prepared in military and defense which involves valves. Aircraft, ocean-going vessels, and other such vehicles all have different valves used in them. Valves are of primary use at a lot of places, including the military sector.
Transport Sector
Valves are used a lot in the transport sector as well. The modes of transport like train used for the long journey has valves placed and used in the form of taps, and other plumbing uses. Valves help to control the flow of water at a lot of places, and that makes them most sought out device.
Conclusion
If you give it a coherent thought, you are surrounded by valves at more places that you would realize. Not only in large industrial facilities, but valves are also making life more comfortable even in the household. They are simple devices with having the fantastic technique of directing the flow of fluid and gases which makes them relevant and needed instruments. I hope this article helps you understand the pipe valves!
