While industrial valves all broadly function in the same way, there are a variety of different types that each have specialised features designed to meet specific needs and requirements.
As this EngineerLive article notes, it is imperative that hazardous commercial environments are equipped with top-quality valves to ensure the safety of workers and minimise costs. When it comes to professional industrial valves Orseal has a selection of off-the-shelf and customisable solutions.
To help you get started, here is an overview of some of the most popular and widely used commercial valves.
Ball Valve
This quarter-turn valve effectively stops or starts the flow of fluid by leveraging a spherical, hollow insert. A 90-degree turn is all that is needed to open or close a ball valve and it is this simplicity that contributes to the long-lasting and low-maintenance nature of this type of valve.
Balancing Valve
Balancing valves adeptly regulate flow throughout a system by utilising multiple branches and they are commonly found in commercial cooling and heating systems. Balancing valves can also provide the counterbalance force required to balance double-acting cylinders.
Gate Valve
Rather than being used to regulate flow, gate valves are primarily used to prevent flow which is something they achieve by using a barrier or gate that resembles a plate and can be inserted into the flow to block it.
Globe Valve
Globe valves use a moveable disc or plug to block flow. This type of valve is often viewed as a general-purpose valve, particularly because it is renowned for its leak-proof capabilities. Globe valves are often used in high-temperature environments, including in food processing plants.
Butterfly Valve
This quarter-turn valve utilises a metal disc which rotates to stop or start the flow. It allows for intermediate rotations, allowing fluid flow to be precisely regulated. Butterfly valves are often used in food and chemical processing, water supply services, and wastewater treatments.
Check Valve
Check valves have a one-way system that only allows fluid to flow in one direction. As such, they can be found in a variety of HVAC systems, gas lines, and in pumps.