Process Valves

• Ball Valve: Uses a hollow, pivoting sphere. Fast 1/4-turn operation, excellent sealing, minimal pressure drop.
• Gate Valve: Uses a gate that lowers into the fluid path. Multi-turn (slow closing to prevent water hammer), good for straight-line flow, not for throttling.
• Butterfly Valve: Uses a rotating disc. Compact, lightweight, excellent for very large pipe diameters, can be used for both isolation and some flow control.

There is no difference; the terms are synonymous. Both refer to a valve that allows fluid to flow freely in one direction but automatically closes to prevent reverse flow (backflow).

You should use a needle valve when you require highly precise, fine-tuned, and gradual adjustment of flow, usually in low-flow applications like instrumentation or laboratory equipment. Standard flow control valves are for coarser adjustments.

Diaphragm valves are ideal for handling dirty, sludgy, or highly corrosive fluids, as well as high-purity applications (like food and pharmaceuticals). The diaphragm completely isolates the valve’s mechanical parts from the fluid, preventing contamination and wear.

Use a 3-way process valve when you need to mix two different flow paths into one (mixing), or when you need to take one inlet flow and divert it to one of two different outlets (diverting).

Yes. Almost all process valves (ball, butterfly, globe) can be retrofitted or ordered with pneumatic actuators (operated by compressed air) or electric actuators (motorized) to allow for remote or automated PLC control.

The port size should generally match your existing pipework to avoid bottlenecks. The pressure rating (often denoted as PN or Class) must exceed the absolute maximum pressure your system will ever experience, including potential pressure spikes.

Material selection is critical and depends on fluid compatibility. Use brass or bronze for clean water and air; stainless steel for harsh chemicals, food processing, or high temperatures; and PVC/plastics for corrosive liquids like acids or chlorine.

To match a valve, provide the valve type (ball, gate, etc.), connection size and type (e.g., 2″ Flanged, 1″ BSP Thread), body and seal material, required pressure/temperature ratings, and actuation method (manual, pneumatic, electric).