Valves are the most basic and frequently seen devices that only function in controlling and regulating a flow. There are multiple types of valves, due to their characteristics they can be widely seen in several places, including household and commercial areas. Valves are prominently used in pipelines to direct, control and process the flow of substances it carries. 

There are various types of valves and it is constant in every industry which is required to control the flow of substances. It also comes in various factors to suit the required area of work. Valves installed in households are mainly to control the water forces which aren't that pressurized. However, in industries the substances can create immense pressure and the factors should be suitable to contain it.

Categories of Valves.

There are several types of valve which are beneficial for several industries due to their standard and benefits. First, there are three main categories of valves which drastically defines the applications. The three categories are:

• Manual Valves: 

As the name suggests, they are controlled by hands. They contain handwheels, levers, gear wheels and chains.

• Actuated Valves:

The controls are connected to electric motors. Prominently used with pneumatic systems and hydraulic systems.

• Automatic Valves:

The valves are automatically triggered when a specific flow pressure is met. 

Common Types of Valves.

Ball Valves:

Ball valves have a great operating character that contains a ball which controls the pressure. There are multiple sizes and materials available to properly accommodate various substances. They are prominently equipped with turn handles of 90 degrees to control the flow. Ball valves are manually controlled with a specific operator. It has tight shut-off and low pressure drop with a straight flow in either direction and can be easily activated.

Butterfly Valves:

This valve is called butterfly due to wing action the controlling discs operates in. The wing is just a disc, blade, van or a flapper that rotates in two ways. Butterfly valves can rotate in horizontal and vertical direction that allows a controlled flow of the fluid. It is helpful in low pressure drop and can be easy to install. It comes in two types: screw type or wafer type. The blade or disc can be made from a wide range of materials like, rubber, neoprene, chloro sulphonated polyethylene.

Check Valves:

One major benefit of check valves is that it prevents the back-flow of substance present in the piping. It helps in keeping the flow of substance in a particular direction and doesn’t let it budge. Check valves prominently function automatically due to the help of piston and disc check valves for fast operation. There are more types of check valve:

• Swing Check Valves:

It prevents the reversing of flow with a flap to direct it forward.

• Piston Check Valves:

Using piston and spring it ceases the reverse flow of substance.

• Ball Check Valves:

It contains balls that slide into a hole and move forward to control and restrict the backwards flow.

• Tilting Disc Check Valves:

It is similar to a swing check valve but the positioning of the disc is slightly tilted.

Globe Valves:

Globe valves are mainly applied when modulated control is used in the operation. The flow of path through globe valve helps in resisting the flow and pressure drop. It is highly effective in throttling flow. The valve disc or plug moves away from the seat and spots the flow of fluid. It is operated in all three forms, manually, through powered motors and automatically. 

Gate Valve:

Gate valve as the name suggests is functioned by the actions of a disc in the body. The disc acts as a barrier or gate that restricts the flow of substances. It is prominently used to shut off the flow of operation for good. Gate valve comes in rising or non-rising stem with several sizes. It is lightweight, economic and provides a low pressure drop. 

Plug Valve:

It is the oldest type of valve that contains three parts: body, plug and cover. The plug has different shapes, mainly cylindrical or tapered. It helps in slitting the fluid flow and provides a straight line. Plug valve can have more than one opening to change the direction of flow. 

The advantages of plug valves are quite prominent with a quick action, easy to use operation and small installation space. This valve is lightweight and can hold high capacity. Plug valve with a spherical plug has automatic control operations. 

Needle Valve:

Needle valve as the name suggests, contains a tapered plug which decreases the flow and streamlines it. Flow rate is regulated between the tapered body of the plug and the seat. The flow is constricted and is made small to be less pressurized. Needle valves help in creating an accurate flow of substance for controlling and reducing the pressure. 

Pinch Valve:

The pinch valve has an irreplaceable sleeve made for on-of and throttling of operations. The valve is prominently used to handle liquid. It’s operational system ensures the isolation from the carrying fluid, eliminating corrosion and contaminations.

Solenoid Valve:

The solenoid valve is predominantly made to have emergency shut-off. It can handle the pressure created from vacuum.