What are the commonly used valves in industry

Valves in Industrial Applications

Valves play a critical role in industrial settings by controlling the flow of various fluids (liquids, gases, slurries, etc.), including flow rate, pressure, and direction. Below are common industrial valves:

‌I. Gate Valve‌
The gate moves perpendicular to the pipeline's central axis to control fluid flow. It features low fluid resistance and requires minimal external force for operation. When fully open, the smooth passage allows unobstructed flow, making it ideal for large-bore pipelines (e.g., water supply/drainage systems). However, its sealing surfaces are prone to wear, and its complex structure leads to higher manufacturing/maintenance costs.

‌II. Globe Valve‌
The disc moves along the seat's centerline to open/close flow. Its simple structure ensures reliable sealing and precise flow regulation. Widely used in chemical industries for dosing pipelines (e.g., reagent addition to reactors). Drawbacks include significant fluid resistance and pressure loss at low openings due to the narrow passage between disc and seat.

‌III. Ball Valve‌
A ball rotates around the valve's central axis to open/close or regulate flow. Advantages include effortless 90° operation, negligible resistance when fully open, and excellent leak-proof performance. Extensively deployed in oil/gas pipelines. However, material and manufacturing standards for balls/seats must meet stringent requirements for high-pressure/temperature environments to prevent sealing failures.

‌IV. Butterfly Valve‌
A disc rotates around a fixed shaft to control flow. Compact, lightweight, and quick-operating, it suits high-flow, low-pressure differential systems (e.g., ventilation/AC ducts). Limitations include inferior sealing under high pressure, where leaks may occur between the disc and body.

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V. Check Valve (Non-Return Valve)‌
Allows unidirectional flow only. Structural variants include lift and swing check valves. In water systems, it prevents backflow (e.g., installed at pump outlets to stop reverse flow after shutdown, avoiding pump damage).

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VI. Safety Valve‌
Automatically opens when pressure exceeds set limits, releasing excess pressure to protect equipment/pipelines. Essential for boilers and pressure vessels. For instance, steam boilers rely on safety valves to prevent explosions during overpressure events.

‌VII. Throttle Valve‌
Regulates flow/pressure by altering passage area. Delivers high precision for hydraulic systems or strict process pipelines. Disadvantages include substantial pressure drop during regulation and susceptibility to fluid impurities causing spool wear or clogging.