The control valves are those that allow the flow regulation of a fluid. This article will learn about the different types of flow control valves, which have numerous applications in industry to prevent excess flow from occurring. Its use in different sectors is prevalent since it can control variables such as pressure, flow, temperature, adequate control of PH or level.
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How Many Types Of Control Valves Are There?
- Depending on the number of exits or routes
- Two-way valves
- Ball valve: Small in size, its internal regulating mechanism is shaped like a perforated sphere. They are used for suspensions and fibrous materials in the chemical industry, the water industry, or the paper industry. They allow having, with slight pressure drop, a high flow capacity.
- Butterfly valve: Used for liquids in a low-pressure state, they have a disc that moves on an axis. They take up little space and can be handled quickly since they open and close a ¼ turn. They do not regulate, open and close.
- Angle seat valve: They are activated pneumatically and are used to open or close the passage. They are made of stainless steel, and one of the main advantages is that they require little maintenance, which increases their useful life. As with ball valves, they are easy to install.
- Cone and seat valves: This type of valve is designed to work in the flow direction that allows the cone to rise. This type of valve needs a reasonably large actuator for the shutter to close against the process’s differential pressure, which is why it is used when the fluid pressure is low.
- Double seat valves: In these valves, the seats are subjected to two different hydraulic forces. They are used when the fluid pressure is very high.
- Three-way valves (heating and air conditioning)
Three-way valves can be of two types depending on their function; mixers allow combining the fluids to vary the temperature and the diverters that allow diverting the flow of a fluid.
- Four-way valves
These valves are designed to regulate the temperature of a heating installation.
- Depending on the drive
The type of drive also varies manual, pneumatic, electric, etc.
- Manually operated valves
In this case, the presence of an operator near the valve will be necessary.
- Electrically or electronically actuated valves
- The so-called electro valves or solenoid valves allow or close the passage of fluid when fed by an electric current, hence the name electro valves.
The solenoid valves can be of two types:
Those that are usually closed are when we try to allow a fluid to pass through it without being electrically powered. The valve will be closed and will prevent fluid passage when we feed (a coil or solenoid makes the valve open and allows the passage of fluid).
The other type of solenoid valves is those that are usually open. Without receiving an electrical current, the valve allows the fluid to pass. When we feed the solenoid valve with an electrical current, we close the flow of fluid through it. When that supply ceases, the valve reopens and again allows fluid to flow through the valve body.
Sometimes and taking into account the complexity of the installation, a certain number of actuators will be needed to control the flow of fluids with maximum reliability.
- Hydraulically or pneumatically actuated valves
A pilot controls the hydraulic actuation valves. They are formed by pathways that interact within the valve. The internal part is made up of slides in charge of passing the pilots and pressures towards the exits.
The function of the slides is to make a sideways movement to intercommunicate the tracks. The communication between one way and the other regulates the pressure of the fluid and the flow according to blackhawksupply.com control valves.
