What are the different types of valves used in the chemical industry?
In chemical processing applications, proper valve selection is required. Not only must they provide precise control and dosing, but they must also be reliable when handling highly corrosive media. This means purchasing well-constructed valves made of chemically resistant materials for safe, reliable and long-term service is imperative. Fleyenda specializes in the manufacture of a wide range of valves used in the chemical industry.
Different types of valves used in the chemical industry
There are three types of valves commonly used in chemical applications:
Ball valve
Ball valves use balls to control the flow of chemical media. Turning the hollow, rotatable ball a quarter turn (90 degrees) around its axis opens or blocks airflow. Ball valves provide a reliable airtight seal in the closed position, even after long periods of inactivity. Its simple design makes the ball valve low maintenance and easy to operate. They are ideal for tight shutoff of corrosive and aggressive fluids.
Fleyenda ball valves offer all-cooled working pressure ratings up to 689 bar (10,000 psi), providing 100% gas-tight shutoff and continuous repeatable performance for the most demanding process control applications. The two-piece stainless steel design minimizes body leak paths, while an optional integral compression end reduces system contamination, installation cost, weight and space.
Check valve
A check valve, or non-return valve (NRV), allows fluid to flow in one direction only, preventing potentially harmful backflow. Due to their relatively simple design, check valves can operate with very little intervention required. The flow rate of the fluid determines how far the valve opens or closes. Its simplicity and material selection mean that check valves are often used in chemical handling applications.
Butterfly valve
Butterfly valves are designed to isolate or regulate flow. The so-called "butterflies" are metal discs mounted on rods. In the closed position, the metal disc is positioned perpendicular to the air flow. A quarter turn turns on flow, and a middle turn enables throttling. Butterfly valves can be operated manually, pneumatically or electronically. They are suitable for corrosive liquids at low temperatures and pressures.
Gate Valve
Gate valves can be used to completely shut off fluid flow. It also works in a fully open position. Therefore, it can be fully opened or closed. They can be of parallel and wedge type. By removing obstructions, gate valves are able to provide a path for fluid. Gate valves ensure that there are no obstacles in the flow of material. Gate valves also offer the advantage of taking up little space on the axis of the pipe.
Glove Valve
Globe valves are ideal for manual operation. They can also be used for automatic operation. They can be used to regulate flow and pressure. Additionally, they can be used as fully closed or open flow valves. These ball valves have two parts on the inside. They operate in a linear motion.
