Valves are as essential for a piping system as a human heart is for a body. They are used to control and moderate the flow of liquid. At some points where necessary valves are also used to cooling water rates through cooling lines to regulate the temperature. Secondly, it also helps in managing the flow of intensive acids flowing through that pipe. A three-way valve can even direct liquid flow in three distinctive ways redirecting from one line to another. It keeps a balance in the flow and can even prevent any reverse flow; moreover, if the system fails, it mechanically stops the water flow.
Many engineering practices are done daily when installing a piping system, and different engineers use different valves. It usually depends on various factors like the type of service and expected frequency of usage. The size of the line and the cost of the line are also two significant factors in deciding which valve to use. Following are the types that are commonly used:
1) Ball Valve: This is the most standard valve used in the piping system. This consists of a sphere with a deep round hole in the mid of the pipeline. The shape of the valve when it is on is opening in the sphere, which is consistent with the line, whereas when it is closed, the ball turns 90 degrees and stops the flow.
2) Gate Valve: they are also known as guillotine valve. They move like an old gate that moves straight up and down using a vertical disc. This is generally used for on/off, non-strangulating purposes and is used in places where very low usage is done.
3) Check Valve: In the case of the hazard review process, many industries use this type of valve to allow fluid to flow in one direction. When the flow is in full tide, it is open, but it closes immediately when the flow is halted. A disc, stem, or hinge pin are the components that move in this valve.
4) Butterfly Valve: These valves can limit and impose a quota on the flow without completely restricting the supply. This valve works in such a manner similar to a ball valve. It goes clockwise and anti-clockwise. The disc attached can be stopped square to the flow, sometimes parallel or in between, depending on the flow rate of the fluid. Common types of this valve are wafer and lug one. These are not much expensive and do not need much space. Instead of this, they create more pressure and restrict the flow than any other valve.
