Valve Selection Guide: Things You Must Know

Selecting the right valve for any given industrial operation is no small task. Valves are critical components in a wide range of applications, from power plants to water systems and more. The right valve must be selected to ensure optimal performance and safety. That&#;s why it&#;s important to understand the fundamentals of valve selection before making a decision.

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In this valve selection guide, consumers will discover the basic considerations of valve selection and learn how to identify the ideal valve for different applications. From valve types to construction material and operational requirements, this guide offers the essential information that every consumer needs in order to confidently make the best choice.

Select the Valve Type

Depending on the service medium and application requirements, some specific valve selection chart needs to be evaluated when selecting a valve including flow direction, temperature and pressure requirements, type of actuator, and leak tightness. 

Selecting the right valve type is essential for a successful piping system. Valve types can be classified according to the media they regulate, such as liquid and gas, and by their internal construction, such as globe and gate valves. 

Industrial Ball Valve

Industrial ball valve offers a shut-off point for the flow of liquids or gasses. The ball valve is designed to remain shut off until its lever is manually turned to open it. This allows for easy control over the flow of fluid or gas through a pipeline. It also offers extremely tight sealing capabilities and is not prone to leakage due to its quarter-turn operation mechanism.

Needle Valve

This particular valve is commonly employed to manage the flow of liquids, gases, and other substances. Its composition comprises a threaded needle with a gradually narrowing tip, typically crafted from brass or stainless steel. The valve operates through a gradual adjustment of the aperture at the needle&#;s base as the user rotates the stem of the valve.

Globe Valve

This consists of a spherical body, which contains an internal seat surrounded by a disc-shaped plug. The valve can be opened or closed by turning the plug against the seat, which regulates the amount of flow through the valve. Globe valves are widely used in industrial applications because they can handle high pressures, temperatures, and viscosities, and they are leak-proof when properly installed.

Plug Valve

This particular kind of quarter-turn rotary valve utilizes a cylindrical or tapered plug to control the flow of liquids or gasses. The plug generally has one or more groove openings or passages, which can be aligned with an inlet and outlet port on either side of the valve body, allowing media to pass through the valve.

Diaphragm Valve

This valve variant leverages a pliant diaphragm to manage the flow of liquids or gases. The diaphragm is fashioned as a circular disk with a central aperture and links to a stem that connects to the valve body. When put into use, the pressure from the liquid or gas under control keeps the diaphragm sealed against the valve seat, ensuring precise regulation of the flow.

Butterfly Valve

A butterfly valve is a kind of quarter-turn valve that uses a disk with a rotating shaft to control the flow of a fluid. They are commonly used in industrial applications and are available from various butterfly valves supplier worldwide. The disk is positioned in the middle of the pipe or other passage and rotates so that when it is perpendicular to the flow, fluid is able to pass, and when it is aligned with the flow, fluid can not pass.

Butterfly valves are used extensively in industrial applications such as controlling the flow of liquids, gasses, and vapors. They also find extensive use in water treatment plants and wastewater systems, due to their excellent capabilities in regulating and throttling fluid flows.

Check Valve

A check valve is a kind of valve that allow fluids to flow in only one direction. It has applications in both residential and industrial settings. Check valves help prevent backflow, which happens when pressure forces fluid to move backward rather than forward. 

Relief Valve

A relief valve is a safety device used to protect a plumbing system from damage due to excessive pressure buildup. It allows controlled release of pressure when a predetermined level is exceeded, thus protecting the system and its components from damage caused by too much pressure.

Solenoid Valve

A solenoid valve is an electrically powered valve used to control the flow of liquids, gasses, or other fluids. It consists of a cylindrical coil of wire containing a ferromagnetic core surrounded by an outer shell of non-magnetic material. When electricity is passed through the coil, a magnetic field is created which causes the core to move and open or close the valve. The core is secured to a plunger that also moves and connects with the valve opening/closing mechanism.

Gate Valve

It is a linear motion valve, which works by removing a round or rectangular gate/wedge from the fluid&#;s path. In most cases, the gate is linked to an actuator, which opens or closes the valve in accordance with a signal from the controlling system. Gate valves are most commonly used for isolation purposes, as opposed to control purposes. 

Selecting Valve Seat Material

When selecting valve seat material, there are several important considerations. The material must be able to withstand high temperatures and pressures. It should also be able to maintain a good seal between the valve and seat. Here are some considerations on selecting valve seat materials.

Pressure

When choosing a valve, valve seat material pressure should be considered. It affects the performance of the valve and can ultimately determine its longevity. The valve seat material should be chosen based on the specific application, the pressure range of the system, and the working environment.

Temperature

The temperature range and pressure range of the system should also be taken into account when selecting a valve seat material. The material should be able to withstand both low and high-pressure ranges without becoming damaged or deformed. Different materials have different properties, such as thermal conductivity, so it&#;s important to select a material that can handle the environment in which it will be operating in.

Size Range

The size range of these materials is an important consideration in their selection. Generally, many valves factory across the world have their valve seat material be able to accommodate a significant range of sizes, from very small to large.

For smaller valve sizes, bronze and stainless steel are usually well-suited. For larger valve sizes, cast iron or hardened steel are often used. They provide maximum sealing strength, excellent rigidity, and long service life for heavier-duty applications. 

Corrosion Resistance

One of the key factors in selecting a suitable material for a valve seat is its corrosion resistance. Corrosion can significantly reduce the efficacy of the valve and cause extensive damage, so selecting a material that offers excellent corrosion resistance is essential. 

 Ability to Seal

The sealing performance of a valve seat relies on two primary factors: its type of seal and its ability to form a strong bond between the seat and the valve body. The amount of force applied to the seal and the amount of contact area between the seat and the valve body will determine the type of seal needed for a particular application.

Wear & Tear Resistance

Wear and tear resistance is an important factor to consider, most of the industrial valve company already offer this factor to their valve products. Valve seats are subject to extreme temperatures and high pressures, which can cause them to wear out quickly. To guarantee optimal performance and longevity, it is essential to select a material that is durable and abrasion resistant.

Cost-Effectiveness

Cost-effectiveness when selecting valve seat material is crucial to select the most appropriate material for the application so that the desired performance can be achieved, while also considering its cost. Cost considerations will include not only the initial purchase price of the valve seat material, but also its lifetime costs such as installation, maintenance and energy consumption.

Conclusion

Valve selection is an important task for any industrial operation. By having an in control valve selection guide and making an informed decision, consumers can ensure that their chosen valve meets their specific requirements and provides optimal performance.

Dombor is an industrial valves supplier that specializes in providing tailored solutions for a variety of industries. With our wide range of products and experienced team, we have become a leading name in the industry. Our company provides a comprehensive selection of industrial valves ranging from basic butterfly valves to ball valves.

Our products are designed to meet the highest standards and are certified by global third-party certifiers. Furthermore, we offer customized valve solutions for specific requirements, allowing customers to get the exact product they need. Contact us today for any valve solution for any industrial applications.

Valves are used in many safety-critical applications, such as in the oil and gas industries. Like many other industrial products, these equipment are often sourced in Asia, with valve manufacturers in China and India being common.

However, this also means that purchasing valves comes with significant risks. In addition to fraudulent valve suppliers posing as manufacturers, there is always the prevalent risk that your manufacturer produces non-conformant valves that cannot perform their intended function.

In this article, we&#;ll delve into valve inspections, providing the information you need to reduce the risks the next time you purchase valves.

 

What to Look Out for When Buying a Valve?

While there are many factors to consider when purchasing valves, including considering the type of valve (such as ball valves, gate valves, globe valves, check valves, and butterfly valves), size, material corrosion resistance, and heat tolerance. We recommend you to always examine the following key factors:

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• Manufacturing: The factory may not have the technical expertise or for cost-saving purposes import certain types of valves. Always ask the supplier about the origin of the valve.

• Certifications:

   Look for recognized standards like ANSI, API, ASTM, or ISO to ensure the valve meets quality and performance standards.

• Material Test Certificate: 

  Verify the material test certificate for details such as chemical composition, mechanical properties, and other relevant information.

• The Supplier&#;s Legitimacy:

   Ensure you are dealing with a legitimate valve supplier to avoid being scammed or receiving non-conforming equipment.

Suggestion: It&#;s always recommendable to audit the valve manufacturer &#; before you send any deposits. Auditing the supplier can provide you insight into their capabilities and valve quality, as well as mitigate the risk of dealing with fraudulent trading companies posing as manufacturers.

Valve Inspection Checklist

The valve evaluation is typically conducted on-site at the factory before shipment, and is especially popular for first-time purchases from a valve supplier in India or China. 

The inspector will evaluate the equipment based on various criteria and may use the ISO sampling plan or G2 inspection sampling plan to determine sampling size and acceptance criteria for quality inspections of valves.

What Are the Special Attention Points During a Valve Inspection?

At HQTS, we have years of experience inspecting industrial equipment such as valves in China, India and other parts of the world. Our valve checklist is extensive and we can catch both small and large defects. When evaluating a valve, we typically assess the following parameters:

Quantity and Packing Condition

The inspector will perform a quantity verification to ensure that the number of valves at the factory is consistent with the order statement.

Additionally, the inspector will carefully examine the packaging materials, including boxes, to ensure they&#;re in good condition and that the valves are properly secured to prevent any damage during transit.

Workmanship

After the quantity verification and inspection of packaging materials, the inspector will proceed to conduct a detailed assessment of the workmanship of the valves. This will involve a comprehensive visual inspection of the valves to evaluate their overall condition, paying close attention to exterior flaws such as:

• The poor coating on the surface

• Rough on surface

• Dust on surface

• Oil stain on the surface

• Any visible cracks or dents

• Incomplete or poor welding

Style, Color and Documentation

In some instances, the inspector may check the colour of the valves to see if they have to match the specified requirements. Additionally, all documents related to the valve, including the material test certificate, will be checked for accuracy.

Field Test and Measurement

The dimensions of the valve are critical to its functionality, as they valves are often interchangeable and have to be able to be sealed properly. The inspector will take  dimensional measurements of the valves to ensure they fall within the tolerance range. Additionally, the inspector will test valve using a coating thickness gauge to measure the thickness of the protective coatings and may use other valve testing procedures if required.

Valve Defects: What Are the Most Common Issues?

Some of the most common non-conformances include:

• The dimensions of the valve are outside the tolerance level.

• The valve has surface defects such as scratches, dents or other imperfections.

• The valves are manufactured using poor-quality materials.

 

Conclusion: Valve Inspections: A Guide for Ensuring Product Quality

Valves are important in many safety-critical applications, such as the oil and gas industry, making valve quality control especially important. 

Conducting a third-party valve inspection is a cost-effective way to reduce risks in valve sourcing. Our valve inspection evaluations cover the workmanship, documentation, quantity verification, and more. With 25+ years of experience inspecting goods for buyers, HQTS is here to help. Contact us today if you have any questions about our inspections or would like to see a sample valve inspection report.

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