Valves are devices that control the flow of fluids, such as liquids, gases, or slurries, in a pipe or other enclosure. They work by opening, closing, or partially obstructing a passageway. Valves are often characterized by a range of features that help determine their ideal application. These are for starting or stopping flow, regulating or throttling flow, preventing back flow or relieving and regulating pressure in fluid or gaseous handling applications. Control valves work by measuring the pressure or flow on either side of a valve and then regulating these pressures through the use of an actuator or other method. This adjustment can be made manually or automatically depending on the type of valve and its settings. There are several types of valves, each with different uses, including.

Butterfly valves

These valves are a family of quarter-turn rotational motion valves that are used in pipelines to shut-off flow. Requires less space, simple mechanism, and lighter weight compared to other valve types. Offers rapid on/off functionality, enhancing process efficiency.

Gate valves

These valves are named for their metal gates that are lowered across pipes to close them. They are usually fully open or fully closed, and are not ideal for situations where pipes need to be only partly open.

Ball valves

These valves are shut-off valves that use a rotary ball to control the flow of gas or liquid. They are simple and require less maintenance than other types of valves.

Check valves

Also known as "one-way valves" or "non-return valves", these valves allow content to flow in one direction. They do not need a lever, handle, or actuator to work.

Globe valves

These valves are used to regulate flow in a pipeline. They can be used for on and off applications

Plug valves

These rotary valves can be used to control and throttle flow. There are three types of plug valves: lubricated, eccentric, and non-lubricated.

Needle valves

These valves are used to precisely regulate the fuel that enters a carburetor. They are also commonly used to measure the consumption of gas or water.

Diaphragm valves

These valves use diaphragms to control and balance the pressure and volume in a fluid flow system