Controlling any industrial process depends on knowing how to size and select flow control valves. A project’s overall cost is also greatly affected by the knowledge of proper industrial valve sizing and selection. The purpose of this guide is to provide a framework for sizing and selecting process valves. We are the leading control valve supplier in Nigeria.
TYPES OF INDUSTRIAL VALVES
For industrial applications, a range of flow control valves and valve automation products are available. It would help if you considered flow control, function, and valve operation when choosing a valve for your application.
- A pneumatic actuator usually opens and closes the valve by operating the stem, but it can also be a manual or an electric actuator.
- A ball valve features a tight shut-off and low-pressure drop when it is open, making it suitable for both on/off and throttling applications.
- In general, butterfly valves are suitable for regulating flow at low line pressures and for large pipeline diameters.
- The purpose of checking valves is to prevent backflow.
- Slurries, abrasives, and on/off service are all applications for knife gate valves
In industrial, commercial, and municipal processes, these valves are integral parts of critical solutions. They can be either manual or automated.
Aira Euro Automation is the leading control valve supplier in Nigeria. We offer various types of industrial valves like control valves, pressure-reducing valves, plug valves, ball valves, butterfly valves, and many more.
SIZING PROCESS VALVES
Sizing and selecting the right size valve for your application is an important component of process valve sizing and selection. Optimizing valve configurations enhances performance and extends service life.
In order to determine the flow through a valve, the diameter must first be determined. Alternatively, determine the appropriate flow coefficient (Cv) for the valve and the application. When evaluating your performance needs, it’s important to use accurate information.
Also, read “Ancient to Modern Age the Valves Playing Vital Role”
- Unless there are other requirements, check valves, on/off valves, blocking valves, or isolating valves can be sized to the existing hose, tube, or pipe sizes.
- Because flow constriction varies, sizing a flow control valve is more difficult. You could select an “oversized” valve if you use only the maximum flow rate to select a valve. Consider the minimum, maximum, and normal flow rates and use the range of flow rates.
For both process efficiency and economic efficiency, it is crucial to know how to size a valve. Choosing oversized control valves leads to poor process control and shortened service life.
MAIN CRITERIA FOR SELECTING AN INDUSTRIAL VALVE
By considering the type of media, the materials of construction, the valve characteristics, the pressure/temperature of the press, and the pressure class of the piping system, you can select the right type of valve. When specifying an industrial valve, keep these criteria in mind:
- Depending on the type of media, whether liquid, gas, steam, or slurry, the right valve will be selected. Media concentration, specific gravity, viscosity, and material compatibility determine the appropriate valve. If the media is toxic or corrosive, contains particulates, or has a high coefficient of expansion, compatibility may be limited.
- Valve selection is affected by both operating and ambient temperatures, and specific gravity and viscosity are also affected by fluid temperature range.
- Operational range, maximum pressure, and whether a valve for minimal differential pressure is required are the pressure requirements.
- The flow characteristics that affect valve selection include normal, minimum, and maximum flows
Additionally, you should consider the valve function, actuation method, automation, and ongoing maintenance requirements, as well as whether you specify metric or imperial units.