Stock valves are valves that are kept in stock and can be used for a range of general purposes.
What types of valves are stock valves?
Those valves that are most commonly used include butterfly valves, gate valves, globe valves, and check (or non-return) valves.
Butterfly valves consist of a metal disc that is mounted on a rod. When the valve is closed, the disc is turned so that the passageway is completely blocked. The disc can only be rotated by 90 degrees – at 90 degrees it is fully open, whilst at 0 degrees is it fully closed.
Gate valves are mostly used for on/off applications. They have a simple design and consist of a barrier or gate which either blocks the flow (when down) or allows the flow (when up). This type of valve is commonly found in water supply systems.
Globe valves are usually used for isolating, throttling, and regulating flow. They utilise a plug-shaped disc and are mostly used with liquids. They are found in cooling water systems, oil systems, chemical feed systems, and vents and drains.
Check valves only allow the fluid or gas to flow through them in one direction. These are primarily used to prevent backflow. They are two-port valves with numerous applications in industrial and domestic systems.
Valve specialists
If you find that you are in need of stock valves, specialists such as Orseal keep a substantial inventory so should be able to provide you with plenty of choice.
Choosing the appropriate valve
When choosing your valve, there are many factors that you should consider. These include sizing (incorporating flow properties and material type), valve actuation type (manual, electric, hydraulic, or pneumatic), frequency of operation, internal pressure levels, levels of surface moisture, particle size, and corrosion and abrasion resistance requirements.