In principle a valve is something that is used to regulate and control substances as they flow through pipes. However there is not some universal valve that fits all (much as the manufacturers might wish there were). Different valves are used for different subsistances, a liquid controlling valve would not stem the flow of gases, and vice versa. What type of Industrial Valves are there?
- The Ball Valve. This a simple on/off affair that generally does not allow for a trickle or a roar of material. Can be used as an emergency brake to some degree.
- The Butterfly Valve. It doesn’t look that much like a butterfly if the truth be told. You usually find these in larger diameter pipes. The large round valve is turned by degrees to restrict flow.
- The choke valve. As the name suggests this literally stops the flow immediately. It is a very strong valve that is exclusively used in the gas and oil industry around the heads of the well.
- The knife valve. Pretty much all of the valve’s above are generally in relation to liquids and or gases. This one is like a gate valve in that you raise and lower the valve but this one deals more with the high pressure flow of powders, or even the rather unpleasant material of slurry.