Different types of valves are used in piping. In this article,  we cover the types and classifications of valves of valves. Here are the main types of valves:

• Gate Valve
• Globe Valve
• Check Valve
• Plug valve
• Ball Valve
• Butterfly Valve
• Needle Valve
• Pinch Valve
• Pressure Relief Valve

Gate valve

Gate valve is the most common type of valve in any process plant. It is a linear motion valve used to start or stop fluid flow. In service, these valves are either in the fully open or fully closed position.

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Gate valves are used in almost all fluid services such as air, fuel gas, feedwater, steam, lube oil, hydrocarbon, and most any services. Gate valve provides good shutoff.

Globe Valve

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Globe valve is used to stop, start, and regulate the fluid flow. Globe Valves are used in systems where flow control is required and leak tightness is also necessary.

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Globe valve provides better shut off as compared to gate valve and it is costlier than a gate valve.

Check Valve

The check valve prevents backflow in the piping system.

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Check Valve

The pressure of the fluid passing through a pipeline opens the valve, while any reversal of flow will close the valve.

Plug valve

Plug valve is a Quarter-turn rotary motion Valve that uses a tapered or cylindrical plug to stop or start the flow. The disk is in plug shape, which has a passage to pass the flow.

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Plug valve used as on-off stop valves and capable of providing bubble-tight shutoff. Plug valve can be used in vacuum to high-pressure & temperature applications

Ball Valve

A Ball valve is a quarter-turn rotary motion valve that uses a ball-shaped disk to stop or start the flow. Most ball valves are of the quick-acting type, which requires a 90° turn of the valve handle to operate the valve.

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The ball valve is Smaller and lighter than a gate valve of the same size and rating.

Butterfly Valve

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A Butterfly valve is a quarter-turn rotary motion valve, that is used to stop, regulate, and start the flow. Butterfly valve has a short circular body. Butterfly Valve is suitable for large valve applications due to Compact, lightweight design that requires considerably less space, as compared to other valves.

Needle Valve

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Needle valves are similar to a globe valve in design with the biggest difference is the sharp needle-like a disk. Needle valves are designed to give very accurate control of flow in small diameter piping systems. They get their name from their sharp-pointed conical disc and matching seat.

Pinch Valve

The pinch valve is also known as a clamp valve. It is a linear motion valve. Used to start, regulate, and stop fluid flow. It uses a rubber tube, also known as a pinch tube, and a pinch mechanism to control the fluid.

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Pinch Valve is ideally suited for the handling of slurries, liquids with large amounts of suspended solids, and systems that convey solid material pneumatically.

Pressure Relief  Valve

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A pressure relief valve or pressure safety valve are used to protect equipment or piping system during an overpressure event or in the event of vacuum. This valve releases the pressure or vacuum at pre-defined set pressure.

Classification of Valves 

Different types of valves serve these functions. These valves can be classified or categorized based on;

• Function
• End connection
• How it operates

Classification of Valves Based on Function

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