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/5 Tips For Selecting The Right Valve
Valves control liquid and gas flow in almost all systems and processes. They are found almost everywhere, in homes, in industries, in hospitals, you name it. As common as they are, it is still a big challenge in choosing the right valve for the right job.
The choice of a valve depends on the performance requirements of a system. Here are 5 tips for selecting the right valve.
Before you buy a valve, ensure that it will work the way you expect. Ask yourself how long the valve takes to respond and how much pressure is required to open it. You should also consider the normally open vs normally closed valves because each serves a different purpose.
An appropriate choice can improve the reliability of the valve. What determines the choice is whether the valve is usually more closed or open during the normal system operation.
Valves are made from different materials with different qualities like strength and chemical resistance. So you need to know the strength and chemical compatibility of your valve of choice. A valve must not react with the liquids or gases flowing through it.
If you are dealing with corrosive or harsh chemicals then plastic valves can be the best option.
Valves vary in types and sizes and this is what determines the type of use they can be put into. Valves can be used to adjust fluid/gas flow, mix flow, divert flow, or shut off flow. They can also be used for backflow prevention and for releasing pressure. The function of a valve determines which valve type to choose.
The most common types of valves include shutoff valves, pinch valves, regulators, relief valves, stopcocks, toggle valves, metering valves, needle valves, ball valves, and check valves. To make the right choice, you need to match the valve&#;s type and size to its expected function in the system.
A valve is expected to work under different conditions of temperature and pressure. A good valve should continue to perform well under the lowest and the highest temperatures and pressures of the system.
Metal valves are better than plastic valves in highly pressurized systems especially if the operating temperatures are also high. This is because metals are stronger than plastics.
Tips for selecting the right valve can&#;t be complete without considering maintenance. Valves do wear out with time, so you need to factor in maintenance cost in your choice for a valve. This is important for both application stability and valve reliability. Working with a faulty valve is very dangerous as it may lead to fluid or gas leakages.
You should also consider valve connection type when choosing because this affects the speed and ease of replacement or repair. Each connection type (Luer, push-in, barbed, threaded, etc) has its advantages and disadvantages.
To make your valve choice easier and faster, you need to know where to start. Having all the information beforehand will help to make your choice more certain.
You need to understand the issues like chemical compatibility and operating conditions of a valve, and applications requirements of the system from the very start before you make a choice. That wraps up the tips for selecting the right valve.
If you want to learn more about valves and fittings, you can visit our blog.
Valve Terms
Has three ports. Depending on the particular valve, all three ports may be open, two ports may be open, or all ports may be closed.
Has three ports. Depending on the particular valve, all three ports may be open, two ports may be open, or all ports may be closed.
Has three ports. Depending on the particular valve, all three ports may be open, two ports may be open, or all ports may be closed.
Has three ports. Depending on the particular valve, all three ports may be open, two ports may be open, or all ports may be closed.
The difference between the inlet and the outlet pressure through a valve. The outlet pressure is lower than the inlet pressure due to the restriction caused by the valve.
The difference between the inlet and the outlet pressure through a valve. The outlet pressure is lower than the inlet pressure due to the restriction caused by the valve.
The difference between the inlet and the outlet pressure through a valve. The outlet pressure is lower than the inlet pressure due to the restriction caused by the valve.
The difference between the inlet and the outlet pressure through a valve. The outlet pressure is lower than the inlet pressure due to the restriction caused by the valve.
A diagram showing how flow can be directed using a particular valve. (See the
A diagram showing how flow can be directed using a particular valve. (See the “ Flow Patterns ” box below for further explanation.)
A diagram showing how flow can be directed using a particular valve. (See the “ Flow Patterns ” box below for further explanation.)
A diagram showing how flow can be directed using a particular valve. (See the “ Flow Patterns ” box below for further explanation.)
100% duty cycle is defined as continuous operation without any damage occurring. For intermittent duty cycle (<100%), alternate energized and de-energized state at regular intervals to allow the valve to completely down to room temperature.
100% duty cycle is defined as continuous operation without any damage occurring. For intermittent duty cycle (<100%), alternate energized and de-energized state at regular intervals to allow the valve to completely down to room temperature.
100% duty cycle is defined as continuous operation without any damage occurring. For intermittent duty cycle (<100%), alternate energized and de-energized state at regular intervals to allow the valve to completely down to room temperature.
Selecting your Valve
Consider your fluid type (liquid or gas) and its characteristics to determine compatible valve materials.
Consider your fluid type (liquid or gas) and its characteristics to determine compatible valve materials.
Consider your fluid type (liquid or gas) and its characteristics to determine compatible valve materials.
Consider your fluid type (liquid or gas) and its characteristics to determine compatible valve materials.
Our manual valve selection includes ball, check, diaphragm, elliptic, metering, needle, pinch, plug, pressure relief, and stopcock valves. Our actuated valve selection includes electrically actuated ball, elliptic, pinch, proportioning, and general-purpose solenoid valves.
Our manual valve selection includes ball, check, diaphragm, elliptic, metering, needle, pinch, plug, pressure relief, and stopcock valves. Our actuated valve selection includes electrically actuated ball, elliptic, pinch, proportioning, and general-purpose solenoid valves.
Our manual valve selection includes ball, check, diaphragm, elliptic, metering, needle, pinch, plug, pressure relief, and stopcock valves. Our actuated valve selection includes electrically actuated ball, elliptic, pinch, proportioning, and general-purpose solenoid valves.
PTFE withstands many harsh or corrosive chemicals. For safety reasons, always use metal valves for pressurized gases.
Determine the temperature, pressure, and flow rate under which your valve will be operating.
Determine the temperature, pressure, and flow rate under which your valve will be operating.
Determine the temperature, pressure, and flow rate under which your valve will be operating.
Determine the temperature, pressure, and flow rate under which your valve will be operating.
In general, metal valves withstand higher temperatures and pressures than plastic valves.
Continuous (100%) duty solenoid valves are best for frequent on/off cycling. Choose normally closed or normally open depending on the state the valve will be in most often.
Continuous (100%) duty solenoid valves are best for frequent on/off cycling. Choose normally closed or normally open depending on the state the valve will be in most often.
Continuous (100%) duty solenoid valves are best for frequent on/off cycling. Choose normally closed or normally open depending on the state the valve will be in most often.
For solenoid valves, consider response time and length of time valve will be energized.
For solenoid valves, consider response time and length of time valve will be energized.
For solenoid valves, consider response time and length of time valve will be energized.
For solenoid valves, consider response time and length of time valve will be energized.
Ball valves resist plugging and are easiest to service.
Valve Types
Angle-Seat Valves:
Utilize an ultra-compact actuator to move a piston back and forth within the valve body. On/off control and continuous control designs are available for gases, steam, and liquids. The construction of the body allows extremely high flow rates, particularly in comparison to conventional globe valves.
Ball Valves:
Designed primarily for on/off service. These valves contain a ball with a hole through it. A handle or electric actuator rotates the ball 90°, turning the flow on or off. Use plastic ball valves for liquid applications only.
Butterfly Valves:
Designed primarily for on/off service. These valves have low pressure drops and are self-sealing so they don't require an additional flange gasket for installation. For pipe sizes ranging from 1.5" to 12" dia.
Check Valves:
Self-actuated valves designed to prevent fluid from flowing backward into your system. Flow forces a ball or disk in one direction to open the valve; when flow stops, the ball or disk seats to close the valve.
Diaphragm Valves:
Use a flexible diaphragm to shut off flowÑcenter of the diaphragm is pushed down into a seat. Use these valves for fluids that are dirty or have a high particulate content.
Elliptic Valves: Contact us to discuss your requirements of plastic flow adjustment valve. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
Similar to ball valves except elliptic valves use an elliptic O-ring to seal the cylinder during rotation. The seal design makes these valves ideal for vacuum applications.
Manifold Valves:
Have one common port to two or more additional ports. For mixing, use the common port as the outlet; for distributing, use the common port as the inlet.
Metering Valves:
Multi-turn valves designed to regulate the flow of fluid. These valves generally have low flow rates and high pressure differentials.
Needle Valves:
Feature the most accurate flow control among the valves we offer. They are an excellent choice for precise metering of liquids or gases.
Pinch Valves:
Use solenoid to squeeze shut a piece of tubing. Fluid contacts only the tubingÑideal for your high-purity fluid applications.
Plug Valves:
Used primarily for on/off service. Controls flow using a plug with a hole through it. Plugs can be made of rigid materials such as PTFE¨, making them ideal for high-purity applications.
Pressure Valves:
Designed to control or limit pressureÑnot flowÑin a system. These self-actuating valves will either open a relief port or bypass the fluid when a preset limit is reached.
Proportioning Valves:
Designed to produce variable flow rates. Valves open and close in proportion to the signal from your controller.
Sample Valves:
Special three-way valve designed to tap off a portion of the main flow for sampling purposes.
Sanitary Valves:
Feature Tri-Clamp® connections and 316 stainless steel body construction for sanitary and high purity applications.
Solenoid Valves (Direct Lift):
Use a plunger that is actuated to open or close the fluid path. These valves usually have low flow rates and high differential pressure drops. They generally have quicker response time than pilot-operated valves.
Solenoid Valves (Pilot-Operated):
Utilize pressure created by air or liquids for actuation purposes. These valves are either piston or diaphragm types and require differential pressure to keep valve closed. Because they don't have a plunger, they are usually available in larger orifice sizes than direct lift valves.
Stopcocks:
Similar to ball valves except stopcocks are much smaller in size. Primarily used in the laboratory for on/off control of flow or as a crude regulation of flow rate.
For more plastic flow control valveinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.