Key Takeaways
- There is no single best flow control valve. The right choice depends on control precision, media condition, pressure drop tolerance and how often the valve cycles.
- Globe valves give the finest control and the highest pressure drop. Butterfly valves give good mid-range control with low pressure loss. Needle valves suit low-flow precision. Diaphragm and pinch valves suit corrosive or slurry service where the closure element must stay out of the flow.
- Ball valves are widely used for flow control and are usually the wrong choice. The partially exposed seat erodes at intermediate positions, which destroys both control accuracy and shutoff.
- In abrasive or solids-laden media, trim material and seat renewal matter more than valve style. The best-shaped trim still fails if the media grinds it away.
- Match the valve to the duty first, then to the line size. Oversizing a control valve forces it to operate near the seat, where control is least stable.
There are numerous types of valves available that can be used in a wide range of industries and applications. Are you wondering which valve is best for flow control?
It’s important to understand that not all valves are created equal. Different types of valves have different advantages and disadvantages. Choosing the correct one depends on what you’re trying to achieve with your flow control project.
In this article, we’ll explore the various valve options available for flow control. We’ll cover everything you need to know about choosing a valve for the correct task.
Read on to discover the best flow control valves for your needs. Let’s go!
The Function of a Flow Control Valve
A flow control valve is a device that regulates the pressure and rate of a flowing liquid or gas. This type of valve has many uses. They can be used to manage water levels in dams and regulate fuel flow to engines.
Types of Flow Control Valves
There are several types of valves used for flow control purposes. Each one has its own advantages and disadvantages.
The most common types are:
Ball Valves
Ball valves use a rotary motion to control the flow of fluid. Their simple design and relatively low cost make them popular for many applications. These valves can be operated manually with a lever that shows whether the valve is open or closed.
They’re best for controlling flow in one direction. Ball valves provide precise control over the flow of liquid and effectively stop the flow when closed. They are commonly utilized in sewage treatment, chemical, and paper manufacturing facilities.
Butterfly Valves
Butterfly valves open and close by rotating a disk within the valve body. This type of valve is often used with highly viscous fluids such as slurry mixtures or petroleum products.
They are also used in irrigation systems because they can be operated quickly and easily. Butterfly valves provide a more efficient flow than other types, making them an attractive option for many applications.
Butterfly valves use less space than other valves, making them an ideal choice for tight spaces.
Globe Valves
Globe valves are the most commonly used type of flow control valve. They regulate the flow of liquid by controlling the distance between a plug and seat in the valve body.
The plug gradually moves closer to or away from the seat depending on how much pressure is applied to the valve. These valves are primarily used in industrial and chemical applications due to their high accuracy control of flow rate.
Globe valves can be operated either manually or automatically with an actuator. They’re great for controlling more precise flows but require careful maintenance as they can be prone to leakage.
Check or Control Valves
Control valves are used to regulate the flow of fluid or gas. They are designed to precisely control the amount of flow allowed to pass through the valve.
Control valves can be manually operated, but are often used in combination for automated operation and remote monitoring. These types of valves are great for controlling more technical processes such as maintaining pressure or temperature in pipelines.
Using a control valve allows for more precise and accurate flow regulation, making them ideal for critical applications where accuracy is key. They are also extremely reliable which makes them popular in industrial applications.
Gate Valves
Gate valves are another popular type of shutoff valve and are used for regulating water flow. They use a gate or wedge that is raised or lowered to open or close off the flow of fluid.
Gate valves are often used in industrial applications where rapid opening and closing are required, as well as in cases where frequent and smooth flow regulation is needed.
Needle Valves
Needle valves are used for regulating both high and low-pressure systems, allowing precise flow rate adjustments. They use a conical-shaped needle to control the flow of liquid or gas through the valve.
This type of valve is often used in applications where accurate flow control is required, such as in fuel injection systems and oil pipelines. Needle valves can also be automated with an actuation system for remote monitoring.
Pinch Valves
Pinch valves are designed to regulate a variety of liquids and gasses. They use an elastic rubber sleeve that can be pinched open or closed to control the flow rate.
This type of valve is typically used in applications where frequent operation is required, as well as when controlling fluids with abrasive particles. Pinch valves can also be automated with an actuation system for remote control.
Diaphragm Valves
Diaphragm valves use a flexible membrane to regulate the flow of fluids. They are often used in applications where frequent operation is required and when controlling highly corrosive liquids or gasses.
Diaphragm valves can also be automated which makes them ideal for industrial applications where precise flow regulation is critical.
Which Valve Is Best for Flow Control
The best valve for flow control depends on the specific requirements of the application.
Generally speaking, needle valves are best for high or low-pressure systems and applications where accurate flow rate adjustments are needed.
Pinch valves are ideal for applications with frequent operation and abrasive fluids, while diaphragm valves offer precise regulation in corrosive liquid or gas environments.
All three types of valves can be automated to provide remote monitoring and control.
Looking For More Information on Valves?
It’s important to understand the different types of valves and their applications to work out which valve is best for flow control. There’s a multitude of types, each with key advantages.
If you’re looking for more information on the best type of valve on the market today, contact Everlasting Valve Company. Request a quote today to get your project up and running quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Globe valves are the standard answer for precise flow control because the plug and seat geometry gives near-linear response across the travel range. Butterfly valves are preferred where pressure loss must stay low. In abrasive or slurry service, the deciding factor becomes trim durability rather than control curve shape.
It can be positioned partway open, but it should not be specified for continuous throttling. At intermediate positions, flow concentrates across a small crescent of the exposed seat and erodes it. The valve then loses both control repeatability and its ability to shut off tight.
A flow control valve sets the rate that media moves through the line. A pressure control valve sets or limits the pressure at a point in the system. Changing one affects the other, but they are specified against different targets and sized with different calculations.
Clean fluid lets you select on control curve alone. Solids, slurry or abrasive particulate shift the priority to erosion resistance and seat renewal, because a valve that loses trim geometry loses its control curve. Diaphragm and pinch designs keep the closure element out of the stream, and metal-seated self-lapping designs renew the sealing face as they cycle.
It operates near the closed position for most of its range, where the control response is steepest and least stable. Small stem movements produce large flow changes, the loop hunts, and the trim wears fast because flow is concentrated in a small opening.