In managing the flow of gases or fluids, valves serve various roles. With so many alternatives available, it is essential to consider all criteria to ensure that you choose the appropriate Valve for your project. This article will guide you through an easy method to verify that your initial decision is based on facts and no preconceptions.
What Use Do the Valves Serve?
Valves could be used for various purposes and fulfil a range of tasks. When selecting valves for industrial application, the best place to begin is to determine their intended function. Possible factors to examine include:
- Will it be utilised to regulate or isolate media?
- Will it be utilised multiple times or once every few days for upkeep?
- How important is it to the process, and what would occur if it failed?
- Are there valves that must function in the event of an emergency?
This information will make selecting the appropriate valves for the task much simpler.
What Is the Medium Pressure Passing Through the Valve?
Always determine the pressure while determining which valves are best suited for your application. Specialised valves will be the standard in applications involving high pressure, and these valves will normally have thick wall dimensions to withstand the pressure. In addition, they have specialised sealing arrangements. Valves may not be the optimal solution for low-pressure applications when bubble-tight shutoff is not required. For instance, on low-pressure air/exhaust applications, a ‘damper’ would be more cost-effective and less weight.
What Temperature Is the Fluid Passing Through the Valves?
Temperatures are also a prerequisite for choosing Valves. Extremely temperature-sensitive valves are often custom-made as opposed to off-the-shelf. The two most important temperature issues are: (a) if the construction materials will be adequate and (b) if the valves will close against the temperature. Your supplier can guide the optimal sealing design and body material. Utilising pressure/temperature charts that illustrate how the temperature restriction of valves decreases as the pressure rises is a useful reference point. These are accessible for the majority of Valve types.
What Environmental Conditions Will the Valves Be Subjected To?
Not all valves will be located indoors in a climate-controlled, dust-free environment. Consider the location where the valves will be installed. Could it be at the mouth of a jetty in a salty environment or in the midst of a dry, sand-covered desert at the hottest part of the day? Would water surround it? It’s not the end of the line if the position of the valves is inhospitable. It simply indicates that the materials, particularly the outside coatings and interior seals, must be able to survive the elements.
Is It Conceivable That the Valves Will Be Noisy?
Control Valves on high-pressure steam are an example of valves that can be noisy occasionally. This is not an issue if the valves are positioned inside a well-isolated area. However, it could be an issue if the valves are located outdoors near residential structures. Low noise controls are provided for such valves to attenuate part of this noise; however, it is best to clarify this with engineers during the design phase, as it can be a surprise.
It may not be easy to choose the proper Valve for your operation. However, you can quickly narrow your options and locate the most suitable valves by beginning with broad characteristics such as size, design, and an actuation mechanism.
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