YPES OF VALVES

1. THE GATE VALVE (See Figure : 13)

This is the most common type of valve in use in industry and is used to start or stop the flow of
fluids. It gives a positive shut-off when closed and is often used as a 'Block Valve' for isolating
systems.
The gate valve MUT !e either "U##$ %#&'( or "U##$ &)'* and *'V'+ U'( T&
%&*T+&# "#&,- as the fluid velocity will erode the valve internals - gate and !ody seats .. etc.
. gate valve may !e of the '+II*/ T'M' type as in "igure0 12 or a '*&*-+II*/ T'M'- in
which the stem threads are '#eft-hand' threads set into the gate itself as in "igure0 13.
The valve consists of a !ody which houses the valve mechanism - the stem 4or spindle5- the
disc4s5 4or gate5- and the disc and !ody seats. /ate valves can !e operated !y a hand-wheel- an
electric motor 4M&V5- or !y an air powered diaphragm- or motor- or a piston actuator.
T6' +II*/ T'M /.T' V.#V'
"igure 0 12
*&*-+II*/ T'M
2. THE GLOBE VALVE (See Figure : 15)
The /lo!e valve is used where control of fluid flow or pressure is re7uired and it can !e operated
in any position !etween open and closed.
. /lo!e valve may !e constructed with a single or dou!le port and plug arrangement. The
dou!le port type is generally used in a %&*T+&# V.#V' where accurate control of fluid is
re7uired. (ue to the dou!le valve plug arrangement- the internal pressure acts on each plug in
opposition to each other- giving an internal pressure !alance across the plugs. 4ee "ig0 89 on
page 38 : %ontrol Valve5
This gives a much smoother operation of the valve and !etter control of the process. ome
control valves are '+everse .cting'. ,here a valve normally opens when the plug rises- in the
reverse acting valve- the valve closes on rising. The operation of the valve depends on process
re7uirements. .lso depending on re7uirements- a control valve may !e set to open or close- on
air failure to the diaphragm.
3. THE NEEDLE VALVE (See Figure : 16)
This is simply a variation of the /lo!e valve and- as its name implies consists of a narrow-
tapered plug and port arrangement. The needle valve is- in itself- small in si;e and is used for
very fine and normally manual- control of fluid flow.
4. THE ANGLE VALVE (See Figure : 1)
.nother variation of the /lo!e valve which is often used for compressor recycle systems. It is
also often used for dirty fluids. In this valve- the fluid flow enters from !elow the plug and passes
through an angle of <9= to the outlet. .n angle valve may !e manually or automatically
controlled.
5. THE PL!G "r BALL VALVE (See Figure : 1#)
These valves give a more streamline flow in their operation. The valve port is a!out the same
si;e as the internal pipe diameter. They are operated simply !y turning a handle through <9=.
They can give a fairly tight shut-off and some degree of control.
6. THE B!TTE$FLY VALVE (See Figure : 1%)
The Butterfly valve is designed to give full flow with some control capa!ility. *ormally- this type of
valve does not give positive shut-off !ut- present-day technology- using new )olymers and higher
temperature ratings- has ena!led the construction of !utterfly valves having a 'Bu!!le-tight' shut-
off.
. &HE&' "r NON($ET!$N VALVES (N$V)*) (See Figure : 2+)
These valves will allow fluid flow in &*' (I+'%TI&* &*#$. Their purpose is to prevent !ackflow
- for e>ample -in pump discharge lines and where !ack-flow is undesira!le. ,hen flow stops- the
weight of the piston- !all or flapper closes the valve. If the pressure downstream of the valve- is
higher than the upstream side- the valve will close more firmly and !ack-flow cannot occur.
There are two main types of check valve 0
1. The '#I"T' type. 4pring loaded 'B.##' ? ')IT&*' Types5.
8. The ',I*/' 4or "lapper Type5.
T6' *''(#' V.#V'
"igure 0 1@
T6' .*/#' V.#V'
"igure 0 1A
T6' )#U/ V.#V' ? B.## V.#V'
"igure 0 1B
T6' BUTT'+"#$ V.#V' 4IM)#I"I'(5
"igure 0 1<
%6'%C or *&*-+'TU+* V.#V' 4*+V's5
"igure 0 89
#. SAFETY $EL,EF VALVES (See Figure : 21)
afety valves are installed on e7uipment to prevent over-pressure 4or e>cess vacuum5- which
could cause damage- rupture or collapse of the e7uipment.
,here the type installed is to prevent e>cess vacuum- they are normally referred to as 'Vacuum
Breakers'.
. safety valve will have a lifting set pressure higher 4a!out 1.D times5 than the operating pressure
of the system !ut well !elow the design ma>imum pressure allowed.
In the conventional type- the pressure of the valve discharge line will affect the set pressure of
the valve !y giving a !ack-pressure on the valve plug.
In the !ellows type- the !ellows isolates the plug from the !ack-pressure and therefore there is
no effect on the valve setting.
The following diagram is of a conventional safety relief valve. .ll safety valves have the same
purpose of protecting e7uipment from over-pressure. (ifferent makers have their own designs.
."'T$ +'#I'" V.#V'
"igure 0 81
VALVE A&&ESSO$,ES
1. ST!FF,NG BO- ./0 PA&',NG (See Figure : 22)
)acking is a means of preventing leakage around the valve stem to atmosphere. The packing is
placed in the 'tuffing Bo>' around the stem. It is then held in place and compressed !y the
'/land' and '/land "ollower' to give a leak-tight seal.
6owever- having the packing too tight can cause the operation of the valve to !e stiff. ,hen
tightening down on the packing does not stop leakage or causes valve operation to !e stiff- the
packing should !e replaced.
In some larger valves- a '#antern +ing' is inserted !etween the turns of packing and is placed
opposite to a lu!rication point where grease can !e inEected in order to ease the valve operation.
"igure 0 88
2. VALVE OPE$ATO$S (See Figure: 23)
The most common valve operator is the '6and-wheel'. &ther methods of valve operation can !e
as follows 0
A. A Di.12r.g3
6ere- the valve is operated !y an air powered diaphragm. These are called ')neumatic %ontrol
Valves'. The air powered actuator can also take the form of a ')iston' rather than a diaphragm.
The operation of the valve- depending on re7uirements- may !e '.ir to &pen' 4.&5 or '.ir to
%lose' 4.%5.
B. A/ E4e56ri5 7"6"r
This is called a 'Motor &perated Valve' 4M&V5 and may !e installed to allow valve operation from
a remote location and may then !e referred to as a '+emote &perated Valve' 4+&V5.
&. A S"4e/"i0
This method of valve operation is used for a small valve placed in an air supply line to a shut-
down device. The solenoid will !e activated on an electrical signal from an automatic trip system
and will open or close depending upon its function.
"igure0 82 -(iaphragm &perated Valve