INTRODUCTION TO

VALVES
 WHAT IS A VALVE
A valve is a component in a piping system that is used
to control the flow of the media through the system. This
control is achieved by the manipulation of some type of
obstructer within the valve.
 DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CONTROL AND ON-OFF VALVE

Control Valves
As you might guess from the name, a control valve is used to control the flow of fluid
in a system. They can maintain different variables at specific set-points, including
density, concentration, flow rate, pressure, temperature, and liquid levels. A control
valve includes a valve body, actuator, and positioner, as well as body assembly and
trim parts.
The actuators on these valves can be pneumatic, hydraulic, or electrically powered,
and they control how the valve opens and closes. The positioners monitor and control
the actuator movements to maintain the desired set-point.

On-Off Valves
An on-off valve is a much less precise instrument than the control valve. It either
allows for unimpeded flow or it shuts off flow completely. There are a couple of
different styles of on-off valves, including ball, plug, butterfly, gate, and globe valves.
 TYPES OF VALVES
(This training course is focused on rotary and linear actuated valves. )

1. Types of (Quarter-turn) Rotary Valves

• Ball Valves
Quarter-turn 2-way ball valves are by far the most common type of
process control valve. They are 2-way (inlet and outlet), 2-position
(open and closed) valves that are used for shut-off or isolation of a
system, or a loop or component within a system. The basic construction
of a ball valve includes a ball as the obstructer which is sandwiched
between two cup shaped seals referred to as “seats”. Typically the ball
has a bore straight through it. Media flows through this bore when the
valve is open. When the ball is rotated 90˚, the flow of media is stopped
by the sides of the ball which now completely fill the opening in the
seats.
• Plug Valves
The basic construction of a plug valve is practically identical to that
of a ball valve with the exception of the shape of the obstructer
used. In this case, the ball is replaced by a slightly tapered cylinder.
This cylinder has a bore through it just like a ball valve, and it
operates the same way where it is open in one position, and closed
when rotated 90˚.
• Butterfly Valves
In contrast to ball and plug valves, butterfly valves use a disc
shaped obstructer. Basic, general duty butterfly valves are called
"resilient seated". They have a single seal ring that acts as a seal
between the valve body and disc, as well as the seal between the
pipe flanges and valve body. When the disc is perpendicular to
the direction of flow, the flow is stopped. When rotated 90˚ the
flow goes through the valve by traveling around the slim profile of
the disc.
2. Types of Rising Stem (multi-turn) Valves
• Gate Valves
A gate valve functions by moving a wedge shaped disc obstructer up and down to
open and close the flow path through the valve. This linear motion is provided by a
threaded rising stem. Turning this threaded stem requires multiple revolutions (multi-
turn) to travel from open to closed. The number of revolutions required is usually the
valve size in inches x 3 + 2. So a 6 inch valve will require 20 turns of the stem [(6 x 3) +
2 = 20]. They should only be used for on/off applications as throttling for an
extended period of time will damage both the obstructer and seals. Use of a gate
valve for throttling is also not very effective since most of the reduction of flow will
increase in the last 10% of closure.
• Globe Valves
Globe valves operate by having a convex disc shaped plug raise and
lower via a rising stem into a circular seat around the inside of the
globe shaped body at the “equator”. The flow enters the “lower
hemisphere” from one side, then travels up through the seat and exits
through the outlet on the opposite side of the “northern hemisphere”.
Globe valves are suitable for both on/off and throttling applications.
There are 2-way globe valves that are a preferred choice for precise
flow control and 3-way globe valves that are commonly used for
mixing media from two inlet ports and directing that mixture through
an outlet port.
• Needle Valves
These are very similar to a globe valves with 2 main differences. One,
they are smaller and for finer control of flow on smaller lines. Two,
instead of a disc shaped plug, they use a “needle” which has a
conical shape, and moves in and out of an orifice. While effective
as an on/off valve, these would not be the best choice. Needle
valves are meant for fine throttling flow control.
Types of Valve Actuators
What is a Valve Actuator?
A valve actuator is a mechanical device that uses a power source to operate a valve.
This power source can be electric, pneumatic (compressed air), or hydraulic (the flow
of oil). There are two main types of actuators, one for each of the two main types of
valves that require them. They are rotary and linear.
Selection of the best actuator type for any application is dependent on many factors
including:
Valve type
Power sources available
Environment of installation
Operational functions and characteristics
• need for fail safe
• cycle life
• duty cycle
• speed of actuation
• need for manual override
And as always... Cost
Rotary Valve Actuators
As the name implies, rotary valve actuators produce
the rotational motion needed to operate rotary valves
such as ball, plug, and butterfly valves. Rotary
actuators are available in many different styles, each
with its own benefits.
Linear Valve Actuators
Linear valves such as globe, gate, and pinch valves - due
to their distinctly different operation - require actuators
that are drastically different from the rotary type. These
actuators must produce linear motion to operate the
valve. They are also available in many styles.
Types of Manual Valve Actuators

• Basic Lever
The most common manual operator on smaller quarter-turn
valves is the basic lever. A long handle is attached to the stem
and provides the leverage needed to rotate the valve.
• Hand Wheels
Larger valves that require high torque to operate often incorporate geared
hand wheels. These operators have a large hand wheel with a gearbox that
further increases the mechanical advantage. The radius of the wheel and
gearing ratio determines the amount of mechanical advantage provided. These
wheels will require multiple revolutions to turn the valve only 90 degrees. These
type of operators are commonly found on larger butterfly valves, typically 8
inches and above. If the valve is located high enough to be out of reach, a
chain wheel will be added to the same type of gearbox so that the valve can
be operated from the ground. The chain is in a long loop that hangs down to
where it can be easily reached. The operator would simply pull down on one
side of the chain loop to open the valve, and the other side to close it.
• Manual Valves with Limit Switches
Many times manual valves perform a function that does not require
automated actuation, but the system still needs to know what position
they are in. Manual valves with limit switches (position indicators) are
used in these cases. While the valve is still operated manually, the
switches communicate the valve's current position to the control
system.
 THANK YOU
Written By: Odidika Emmanuel Chidi