The global market has been witnessing high demand for industrial valves due to their extensive applications, design, and types. These industrial devices are essential for controlling the flow of gases, slurries, and liquids. These instrumentation valves find application in construction, automotive, and other industries. The following guide offers an overview of the types of valves in instrumentation, benefits, and disadvantages.

Types of instrument valves

The leading instrumentation valves manufacturer, like Arcellor Controls (India), offers the following types of instrumentation valves:

• Gate valves
• Ball valves
• Globe valves
• Check valves

The following are the applications, advantages, and disadvantages of instrument valves:

Gate Valves

These valves work as isolation valves and control fluid flow through pipes. They are essential for starting and stopping the fluid flow through the pipelines. These valves find applications in the commercial and domestic sectors. A leading instrumentation valve supplier in India offers these valves in different materials like cast iron, forged steel, stainless steel, alloy steel, etc.

Advantages

• These valves have minimal friction loss
• One can use these valves both ways
• Gate valves offer minimal pressure loss and laminar flow
• These valves help conserve energy
• After opening these valves fully, they offer tight sealing and low-pressure drop 

Disadvantages

• These valves do not allow quick opening and closing.
• The valves can generate vibrations.

Ball Valves

These valves in instrumentation utilize a ball for controlling the fluid flow. They allow opening, blocking, or partial opening, ultimately regulating fluid flow. Ball valves are beneficial in transporting gases and provide a great sealing effect. These valves operate up to pressure ranges of 700 bars. They are also effective in operating up to temperature ranges of 200°C. The size of these valves ranges from 0.5 cm to 30 cm. 

Advantages

• Ball valves have a low-maintenance and compact design, eliminating lubrication requirements.
• These valves are the most cost-effective.
• These valves offer ultimate sealing.
• These valves are easy to open and close.
• They have multi-way patterns and offer flexibility.

Disadvantages

• These valves are not effective for offering throttle.

Globe Valves

These are another top valve category that finds use in extensive applications. Globe valves are like gate valves utilizing linear motion essential to generate a throttling flow. These valves are essential for flow control in pipes. They do so by regulating the position of the plug or a movable disk. These valves offer more excellent sealing than other valves.

Advantages

• These valves in instrumentation offer a throttling effect and offer full closure.
• They have a short opening and closing time.
• These valves have an easy process of body ring seating surface.
• Glove valves can also work as stop-check valves.
• These valves have a positive shut-off function.

Disadvantages

• These valves have high-pressure losses.
• These valves require an actuator or greater force for closing under high pressure.

Check Valves

These instrumentation valves are famous as Non-return valves or (NRVs). Check valves allow the flow of liquid in one direction and do not allow the backflow of the fluid in the reverse direction. Check valves are essential for preventing reverse flow in the system, disturbing the process, or damaging the equipment. Check valves help protect the pumps during liquid applications. They also protect the compressor damage in case of gas systems, preventing backflow and ultimate shutdown. The design of check valves ensures a reduction in backflow.

Advantages

• These valves do not allow backflow.
• Check valves can also help sustain fluid pressure.
• These valves work as an efficient backup system.

Disadvantages

• Check valves are not suitable for pulsating systems.
• The closing element in the check valve can lead to a crash and damage or excessive wear.

Final thoughts

Instrumentation valves are essential for multiple purposes. However, one must purchase these valves from reputed instrumentation valve manufacturers like Arcellor Controls (India). The company is a leading manufacturer and supplier of valves and instruments, instrumentation fittings, air headers, flanges, and condensate pots. For more products, explore their website today