Types of Valves

Valves are mechanical devices that regulate, direct, or control the flow of fluids (liquids, gases, or slurries) by opening, closing, or partially obstructing passages.

 1. Gate Valve

• Gate valve uses a gate/wedge to stop or allow flow of fluids.
• Gate valve is best for fully open or fully closed service.
• Low pressure drop when gate valve is fully open.
• gate valve is not much suitable for flow throttling.

2. Globe Valve

• Globe valve uses a movable disc and seat.
• Globe valve is best suitable for flow regulation/throttling.
• Higher pressure drop in globe valve than compared to gate valve.

3. Ball Valve

• Ball valve uses a spherical ball with a hole.
• Quick quarter-turn operation.
• Ball valve provides good shut-off.
• Ball valve is common in water, gas and industrial applications.

4. Butterfly Valve

• Butterfly valve uses a rotating disc inside the pipe.
• butterfly valve is lightweight and compact.
• Suitable for large-diameter pipelines.
• It is used for isolation and flow control.

5. Check Valve

• Check valve allows flow in only one direction.
• It automatically prevents backflow.
• Types include swing, lift, piston and wafer check valves.

6. Plug Valve

• Plug valve uses a cylindrical or conical plug with an opening.
• Quarter-turn operation.
• Used for isolation and some corrosive-fluid applications.

7. Needle Valve

• Needle valve has a long, tapered needle-like disc.
• Provides very precise flow control.
• Common in instrumentation and small pipelines.

10 different types of valves

8. Diaphragm Valve

• Diaphragm valve uses a flexible diaphragm to control flow.
• It is good for corrosive, contaminated, or hygienic fluids.
• It is commonly in chemical and pharmaceutical industries.

9. Safety/Relief Valve

• Safety/relief valve Automatically releases pressure when it exceeds a preset limit.
• It is used to protect pressure vessels, boilers and piping from over pressure.

10. Control Valve

• Control valve automatically regulates flow, pressure, temperature or level.
• It is usually operated by a pneumatic, electric, or hydraulic actuator.