In any industry where there is a need to control the flow of a liquid, gas, semi-solid or a slurry through a system, there will be the need for industrial valves. The different types of valves used will be related to the type of system and process, the specific function of the valve as well as the specifics of the system.
Quality and System Requirements
As with any type of part or component, there are different qualities of valves on the market today. Most of those sold in general supply stores are ideal for residential or light commercial applications, but they are not the types of valves that are required for industrial processes and applications.
One of the most important aspects of choosing any type or style of industrial valves is to make sure they are actually designed for industrial applications. This will include design and manufacturing to stand up to a higher pressure within the system. Other factors will include the ability to work with sensing systems for automatic valve controls as well as the size and specific features of the valves.
Types of Material
The types of material that will need to flow through any type of industrial valves will be a major factor in choosing the right size, shape, and features. Higher pressure systems, high flow rate systems or moving semi-solids or slurries requires a very different type of valve than handing the flow of a gas or a simple liquid like water.
It will also be critical to know if the valves will be exposed to corrosive materials. This includes both the interior of the valve as well as the exterior that may be at risk for chemical spills, chemicals use for wash down or environmental pollutants. Even issues such as saltwater need to be considered as it will be highly corrosive to some materials and alloys.
