Industrial valves play an essential role in controlling, directing and regulating the movement of liquids, gases and other media through pipework systems.

From water treatment plants and heating systems to manufacturing facilities, chemical processing plants and industrial production lines, valves are used in countless applications to control the flow and pressure within a system.

There are many different types of industrial valves available, each designed to perform a specific function. Choosing the right valve depends on factors such as the type of medium being handled, operating pressure and temperature, pipe size and whether the valve is required for isolation, flow control, pressure regulation or preventing reverse flow.

At Industrial Valve Outlet, we supply industrial valves to a wide range of industries and applications. In this guide, we'll look at some of the most common types of industrial valves, what they do and where they can be used.

What Is an Industrial Valve?

An industrial valve is a mechanical device installed within a pipework system to control the movement of a fluid or gas.

Depending on the type of valve, it can be used to:

Start or stop flow
Isolate sections of a pipework system
Regulate flow
Control pressure
Prevent reverse flow
Remove debris and contaminants from a system
Balance flow within a system
Protect pumps, equipment and other components

Industrial valves are available in a wide variety of sizes, materials, connection types and pressure ratings. This allows them to be specified for everything from relatively simple water systems to demanding industrial processes.

Why Are Industrial Valves Important?

Valves are a critical part of many pipework systems. Without appropriate valves, it would be difficult to safely control or isolate different sections of a system.

For example, a valve may allow an operator to shut off the water supply to a particular section of pipework so that maintenance can be carried out without shutting down the entire installation.

Other valves can automatically prevent fluid from flowing backwards, regulate the amount of water passing through a system or remove particles that could otherwise damage pumps and other equipment.

The important point is that different valves perform different jobs. Selecting the correct valve for the application is therefore essential.

Common Types of Industrial Valves

There are many different valve designs available. Below are some of the most commonly used types.

Ball Valves

A ball valve uses a spherical ball with a hole through the centre to control the flow of a medium.

When the valve is open, the hole in the ball aligns with the pipe, allowing flow through. Rotating the ball by 90 degrees positions the solid part of the ball across the flow path, closing the valve.

Ball valves are quarter-turn valves and are commonly used where quick and reliable isolation is required.

Common Ball Valve Applications

Ball valves can be found in applications including:

Water systems
Heating systems
HVAC
Compressed air
Gas systems
Industrial processing
Manufacturing
General utilities

Ball valves are available in different materials, sizes and configurations, allowing them to be specified for a variety of operating conditions.

Butterfly Valves

Butterfly valves use a rotating disc to control flow through a pipe. The disc rotates around a central shaft, with a 90-degree turn taking the valve from open to closed.

Their compact construction makes butterfly valves particularly useful in applications involving larger pipe diameters where space and weight are considerations.

Common Butterfly Valve Applications

Butterfly valves can be used in:

Water treatment
Wastewater treatment
HVAC systems
Industrial process systems
Cooling systems
Irrigation
Food and beverage processing
General industrial pipework

Depending on their design and specification, butterfly valves can be used for isolation and, in suitable applications, flow control.

Gate Valves

Gate valves use a gate that moves vertically to open or close the flow path.

When fully open, the gate is lifted clear of the flow passage. When fully closed, it moves down to block the flow.

Gate valves are primarily intended for isolation rather than flow regulation and are commonly used where a full-bore flow path is required when the valve is open.

Common Gate Valve Applications

Gate valves can be used in:

Water distribution
Water treatment
Wastewater systems
Oil and gas
Chemical processing
Power generation
Industrial manufacturing
Process pipework

They are available in a range of sizes, materials and pressure ratings.

Check Valves

Check valves, also known as non-return valves, are designed to allow flow in one direction while preventing it from flowing backwards.

Unlike many other valve types, check valves generally operate automatically, using the flow and pressure within the system to open and close the valve.

This makes them particularly useful for protecting pumps, pipework and other equipment from reverse flow.

Common Check Valve Applications

Check valves are commonly used in:

Pumping systems
Water treatment
Wastewater systems
Heating and cooling systems
Industrial process systems
Compressed-air systems
Water distribution
General pipework

There are several different check valve designs, including swing check valves, lift check valves and wafer check valves.

Strainers

While technically different from many conventional valves, strainers are an important component of many industrial pipework systems.

A strainer is designed to remove unwanted solid particles and debris from a flowing medium. It typically contains a mesh or perforated screen that captures contaminants while allowing the fluid to continue through the system.

Strainers can help protect pumps, valves, meters and other sensitive equipment from damage or blockage.

Common Strainer Applications

Strainers are frequently used in:

Water systems
HVAC
Industrial process systems
Pumping systems
Cooling systems
Steam systems
Chemical processing
Manufacturing

Common designs include Y-type strainers and basket strainers, with the appropriate design depending on the application and installation requirements.

Double Regulating Valves

Double regulating valves, often referred to as DRV valves, are designed to provide both flow regulation and isolation within a pipework system.

They are particularly common in heating and chilled-water systems where accurate balancing of water flow is required.

A double regulating valve can be adjusted to control the flow through a circuit while also providing a means of isolation when required.

Common Double Regulating Valve Applications

Double regulating valves are commonly used in:

Commercial heating systems
Chilled-water systems
HVAC installations
Building services
District heating
Cooling systems
Hydronic systems

They are particularly useful when different branches of a system need to be balanced so that the appropriate amount of water reaches each circuit.

Pressure Reducing Valves

Pressure reducing valves are designed to reduce a higher inlet pressure to a controlled lower pressure downstream.

They can help maintain a more suitable pressure within a pipework system and protect downstream equipment from excessive pressure.

Common Pressure Reducing Valve Applications

They can be used in:

Water supply systems
Commercial plumbing
Industrial water systems
Irrigation
Heating systems
Process applications

The correct valve specification will depend on the required inlet and outlet pressures, flow rate, medium and temperature.

Globe Valves

Globe valves use a movable plug or disc that moves towards and away from a seat to control flow.

They are commonly associated with applications where flow regulation is required. Their design allows the flow through the valve to be adjusted more precisely than with valves primarily intended for isolation.

Common Globe Valve Applications

Globe valves can be used in:

Steam systems
Cooling systems
Heating systems
Process pipework
Power generation
Industrial applications

Control Valves

Control valves are used to automatically regulate flow, pressure, temperature or another process variable.

They are often combined with actuators and control systems, allowing the valve to adjust its position in response to changing operating conditions.

Control valves can be found in complex industrial processes where maintaining accurate control of the system is important.

Common Control Valve Applications

These include:

Chemical processing
Manufacturing
Power generation
Oil and gas
Water treatment
Process industries
Industrial automation

Safety and Relief Valves

Safety and relief valves are designed to protect pressurised systems from excessive pressure.

If pressure reaches a predetermined level, the valve can open to release pressure and help protect equipment and pipework.

These valves are used in applications where pressure protection is an important safety requirement.

Common applications include:

Boilers
Pressure vessels
Steam systems
Heating systems
Industrial process systems
Compressed-air systems

The correct specification and installation of pressure-relief equipment is particularly important because these valves form part of a system's pressure protection arrangements.

Which Industrial Valve Do You Need?

With so many different valve types available, choosing the right one can sometimes be difficult.

The best valve for an application depends on several factors.

1. What Medium Is Being Handled?

The first consideration is what will be flowing through the valve.

This could include:

Water
Steam
Air
Gas
Oil
Chemicals
Glycol
Process fluids

The valve's materials, seals and internal components need to be compatible with the medium.

2. What Pressure Will the Valve Experience?

The operating and maximum pressure of the system need to be considered when selecting a valve.

A valve must have an appropriate pressure rating for the application.

3. What Temperature Will It Operate At?

Temperature can affect the suitability of valve materials, seats, seals and other components.

High-temperature applications, such as steam systems, require valves specifically suitable for those conditions.

4. What Size Is the Pipework?

Valves are manufactured in a wide range of sizes. The required valve size will depend on the pipework and the flow requirements of the system.

5. Is the Valve Being Used for Isolation or Regulation?

This is an important distinction.

If you simply need to turn a system on or off, an isolation valve such as a ball, butterfly or gate valve may be appropriate depending on the application.

If you need to regularly control or regulate flow, a globe valve, control valve, double regulating valve or another regulating valve may be more suitable.

6. Does the System Need to Prevent Reverse Flow?

If reverse flow could cause problems for the system or connected equipment, a check valve may be required.

7. Does the System Need Filtration?

If debris or solid particles could damage downstream equipment, a strainer may be installed to remove contaminants from the flowing medium.

Industrial Valves Across Multiple Industries

Industrial valves are used across an enormous range of industries because almost every fluid-handling system requires some form of flow control or isolation.

At Industrial Valve Outlet, industrial valves can be used across applications including:

Water and wastewater: Treatment plants, pumping stations and distribution systems.
HVAC and building services: Heating, chilled water and cooling systems.
Manufacturing: Process systems, utilities and production equipment.
Chemical processing: Systems handling a wide variety of chemical and process fluids.
Food and beverage: Processing and hygienic applications.
Pharmaceutical: Process and hygienic systems.
Oil and gas: Pipelines, processing and storage applications.
Power generation: Steam, water and cooling systems.
Agriculture: Irrigation and water management.
General industry: Industrial pipework, pumps, compressed air and process systems.

The exact valve required will depend on the individual operating conditions of the system.

Why Choose Industrial Valve Outlet?

At Industrial Valve Outlet, we supply industrial valves for a wide range of industries and applications.

Our range includes different valve types and configurations to help customers find suitable solutions for their pipework systems, whether they require isolation, flow control, pressure management, non-return protection or filtration.

We understand that selecting a valve isn't simply about choosing a size. The correct valve needs to be suitable for the medium, pressure, temperature, connection, operating conditions and intended application.

If you're unsure which industrial valve you require, our team can help you identify the appropriate type and specification for your system.

Find the Right Industrial Valve for Your Application

From ball valves and butterfly valves to gate valves, check valves, strainers and double regulating valves, there are many different options available for controlling and managing industrial pipework.

Choosing the right valve can help ensure your system operates reliably and efficiently while providing the isolation, regulation or protection it requires.

Looking for an industrial valve for your application?

Get in touch with Industrial Valve Outlet to discuss your requirements and find out more about our range of industrial valves. Email sales@industrialvalveoutlet.com or contact us on +44 (0)1482 697583.

What Are Industrial Valves? A Guide to Valve Types and Applications