Considerations When Buying Valves

There are many factors to consider when buying  valves.

Purpose

What is the purpose of the valve? Is it for throttling or control? Is it for start-stop operations?

Media

The media that flows through the valve greatly affects the lifespan of the valve. Furthermore, the wrong kind of media may cause damage to the valve. Some media are corrosive, others are abrasive.

Some have high-pressure levels while others have low temperatures. Knowing the media and how it works with the valve material is an important consideration.

Actuation

Whether manual actuation is the best option or not, actuation is also a factor worth considering. Process pipelines require large valves. Manual actuation is not suited for a large valve. Instead, use pneumatic or automated valves.

Material of Construction

The valve body material is important because it should suit the right media. Choosing the wrong kind of material means shorter valve lifespan.

For example, use corrosion-resistant materials if the media is acidic. High-pressure media uses valves made of an alloy that can resist high temperature and pressure levels.

Valve Type

Certain actuators work well with particular valves. For example, the ball valves often have the quarter turn movement so the best actuator is a rotary or quarter turn. It does not need the lever type because it does not move up or down to open or close the valve.

Valves can either perform one or two actions such as shut off, divert the flow, pressure relief, mix flow and adjust the flow.

Pipe Considerations

The valve diameter with the same size as the pipes can withstand high pressure. But when the valve diameter is smaller than the pipe’s, there is the tendency for the valve to bend. The bending may cause external and internal leakage.

End Connections

The end connections of the valves often follow that of the pipe. Having said that, compatibility is of the two is vital. A flanged end valve is not the required one when the pipe employs a thread.

Industry Standards

Valves follow certain standards. With that in mind, there are standards for the material of the valve. There are standards for the end connections. It is important that valves follow the rigid regulations imposed by international bodies. This ensures safety and proper valve installation.

Valve Supplier

The valve supplier is the point of contact when thinking of buying industrial valves. The valve supplier should provide the customer with the right valve manufacturer.

The former is responsible for informing the customer about the industry standards and other considerations. He should be able to provide the right product with the right price point. He should also aware of customer needs, the right type of valve for a particular industrial application.