VALVE TYPES

Although many different types of valves are used to control the flow of fluids, the
basic valve types can be divided into two general groups: stop valves and check
valves.

Besides the basic types of valves, many special valves, which cannot really be
classified as either stop valves or check valves, are found in the engineering spaces.
Many of these valves serve to control the pressure of fluids and are known as
pressure-control valves. Other valves are identified by names that indicate their
general function, such as thermostatic recirculating valves. The following sections
deal first with the basic types of stop valves and check valves, then with some of the
more complicated special valves.

Stop Valves

Stop valves are used to shut off or, in some cases, partially shut off the flow of fluid.
Stop valves are controlled by the movement of the valve stem. Stop valves can be
divided into four general categories: globe, gate, butterfly, and ball valves. Plug
valves and needle valves may also be considered stop valves.

GLOBE VALVES.- Globe valves are probably the most common valves in existence.
The globe valve derives its name from the globular shape of the valve body. However,
positive identification of a globe valve must be made internally because other valve
types may have globular appearing bodies. Globe valve inlet and outlet openings are
arranged in several ways to suit varying

 
Figure 9-18.-Types of globe valve bodies.

requirements of flow. Figure 9-18 shows the common types of globe valve bodies:
straightflow, angle-flow, and cross flow. Globe valves are used extensively
throughout the engineering plant and other parts of the ship in a variety of systems.

GATE VALVES.- Gate valves are used when a straight-line flow of fluid and
minimum restriction is desired. Gate valves are so named because the part that either
stops or allows flow through the valve acts somewhat like the opening or closing of a
gate and is called, appropriately, the gate. The gate is usually wedge shaped. When the
valve is wide open, the gate is fully drawn up into the valve, leaving an opening for
flow through the valve the same size as the pipe in which the valve is installed.
Therefore, there is little pressure drop or flow restriction through the valve. Gate
valves are not suitable for throttling purposes since the control of flow would be
difficult due to valve design and since the flow of fluid slapping against a partially
open gate can cause extensive damage to the valve. Except as specifically authorized,
gate valves should not be used for throttling.

Gate valves are classified as either RISINGSTEM or NONRISING-STEM valves. On

the nonrising-stem gate valve shown in figure 9-19 the stem is threaded on the lower
end into the gate. As the handwheel on the stem is rotated, the gate travels up or down
the stem on the threads, while the stem remains vertically stationary. This type of
valve almost always has a pointer-type indicator

Figure 9-19.-Cutaway view of a gate valve (nonrising-stem type).

threaded onto the upper end of the stem to indicate valve position.

The rising-stem gate valve, shown in figure has the stem attached to the gate; the gate
and stem rise and lower together as the valve is operated.

Gate valves used in steam systems have flexible gates. The reason for using a flexible
gate is to prevent binding of the gate within the valve when the valve is in the closed
position. When steam lines are heated, they will expand, causing some distortion of
valve bodies. If a solid gate fits snugly between the seat of a valve in a cold steam
system, when the system is heated and pipes elongate, the seats will compress against
the gate, wedging the gate between them and clamping the valve shut. This problem is
overcome by use of a flexible gate (two circular plates attached to each other with a
flexible hub in the middle). This design allows the gate to flex as the valve seat
compresses it, thereby preventing clamping.

BUTTERFLY VALVES.- The butterfly valve, one type of which is shown in figure
9-21 may be used in a variety of systems aboard ship. These valves can be used
effectively in freshwater, saltwater, JP-5, F-76 (naval distillate), lube oil, and chill
water systems aboard ship. The butterfly valve is light in weight, relatively small,
relatively

Figure 9-20.-Cutaway view of a gate valve (rising-stem type).

Figure 9-21.-Butterfly valve.

quick-acting, provides positive shut-off, and can be used for throttling.

The butterfly valve has a body, a resilient seat, a butterfly disk, a stem, packing, a
notched positioning plate, and a handle. The resilient seat is under compression when
it is mounted in the valve body, thus making a seal around the periphery of the disk
and both upper and lower points where the stem passes through the seat. Packing is
provided to form a positive seal around the stem for added protection in case the seal
formed by the seat should become damaged.

To close or open a butterfly valve, turn the handle only one quarter turn to rotate the
disk 90°. Some larger butterfly valves may have a handwheel that operates through a
gearing arrangement to operate the valve. This method is used especially where space
limitation prevents use of a long handle.

Butterfly valves are relatively easy to maintain. The resilient seat is held in place by
mechanical means, and neither bonding nor cementing is necessary, Because the seat
is replaceable, the valve seat does not require lapping, grinding, or machine work.

BALL VALVES.- Ball valves, as the name implies, are stop valves that use a ball to
stop or start the flow of fluid. The ball (fig 9-22) performs the same function as the
disk in the globe valve. When the valve handle is operated to open the valve, the ball
rotates to a point where the hole through the ball is in line with the valve body inlet
and outlet. When the valve is shut, which requires only a 90-degree rotation of the
handwheel for most valves, the ball is rotated so
Figure 9-22.-Typical seawater ball valve.

the hole is perpendicular to the flow openings of the valve body, and flow is stopped.

Most ball valves are of the quick-acting type (requiring only a 90-degree turn to
operate the valve either completely open or closed), but many are planetary gear
operated. This type of gearing allows the use of a relatively small handwheel and
operating force to operate a fairly large valve. The gearing does, however, increase the
operating time for the valve. Some ball valves contain a swing check located within
the ball to give the valve a check valve feature. Ball valves are normally found in the
following systems aboard ship: seawater, sanitary, trim and drain, air, hydraulic, and
oil transfer.
 Types of Butterfly Valves
 
1 Plastic Butterfly Valves
2 Wafer Style Valves
3 Wafer Butterfly Valves
4 Lug Style Valves
5 Lug Style Butterfly Valves

 
1 Plastic Butterfly Valves
Plastic butterfly valves are available in two types or styles, wafer or lug. A different installation procedure is
used for each one.

2 Wafer Style Valves

Wafer style is the more common of the two and is less expensive than the lug style. The wafer style
butterfly valves is just about the "standard".  It's so common that no one even bother to use the word wafer
when ordering a butterfly valve. They take it for granted that if they order a "butterfly valve" they will get a
wafer style one.

3 Wafer Butterfly Valves

Wafer butterfly valves are installed between two flanges using bolts or studs and nuts. This type of
installation, of course, makes it impossible to disconnect just one side of the piping system from the valve.
That' where the lug style valve comes in.

4 Lug Style Valves

Lug style valves have metal inserts installed in the valve's bolt holes. These inserts are threaded on both
ends. This allow them to be installed into a system using two sets of bolts and NO nuts. The valve is
installed between two flanges using a separate set of bolts for each flange. This set up permits either side
of the piping systems to be disconnected without distributing the other side.

5 Lug Style Butterfly Valves

Lug style butterfly valves used in dead end service generally have a reduced pressure rating. For example
most sizes of Hayward butterfly valves mounted between two flanges have a 150 psi pressure rating. The
same valve mounted with one flange, in dead end service, has a 75 psi rating.

How & Why Are Butterfly Valves Used?

A Butterfly Valve is used to control the flow of material through a
circular pipe or tube. Typically the material is air, gas, steam, or
liquid. Certain dry materials may also be handled through a
butterfly valve.

Simply, a butterfly valve consists of a circular disc with its pivot

axis at right angles to the direction material is flowing. The valve
is made up of a body, seat, disc, stem, and actuator. Each
component part is available in a variety of materials called “trim
features.” Properly combining trim features to address material
handled and environment is important in selecting the correct
model valve for its intended service.

Body 
A butterfly valve body can be made of cast iron, ductile iron,
aluminum, carbon steel, stainless steel and exotic metals. 

Butterfly valves are available in wafer and lug style. Wafer style
valves are installed “sandwiched” between pipe flanges. This style
of valve is easier to replace or install. However, replacing a wafer
valve requires the conveying line to be drained. Once the valve is
removed, there is nothing to seal material either upstream or
downstream from the removal point.

Lug style valves contain tapped holes that allow them to be

bolted directly to a mating flange. In the closed position, the
valve independently seals material to the upstream and
downstream side. Because of this independent sealing, lug valves
may be used to isolate downstream equipment that may require
replacement or maintenance.

Seat
Resilient seated valves are the most commonly used types. The
interior of the valve body is lined with an elastomer seat. Seats
may be made of EPDM, buna, viton, Teflon, natural rubber,
carbox, chlorbutyl, white buna, or white neoprene as well as
other materials. Choice of seat material depends on
temperatures, pressures and material handled.

The seats of some inexpensive butterfly valves are typically

molded into the body and cannot be repaired or replaced.
Precision butterfly valves typically contain removable seats that
are repairable or replaceable.

Disc
The valve disc (controlled by the actuator) regulates the flow of
material within the conveying line. Disc materials are available to
meet a variety of application demands: stainless steel,
aluminum/bronze, ductile iron, ductile/epoxy coated,
ductile/nickel plated, ductile/nylon II coated as well as others. As
the disc is directly in the material flow stream, care must be
taken in specifying the proper material of construction and disc
shape. Some discs are designed to allow increased flow patterns
through the piping.

Stem
The stem passes through the center of the valve, attaches to the
actuator, and positions the disc for material flow control and shut
off. Depending on the application and valve size, stems may be
one or two-piece construction. Typical materials of construction
include carbon steel and different grades of stainless steel.

Actuator
A variety of actuators are available for butterfly valves: manual
handle, gear, pneumatic, electric and electro-hydraulic. Also,
actuators that may be enclosed in special housings and buried are
available for certain underground applications.

Other considerations 
Depending on the application, additional valve features that may
need to be considered. Some of these features include: the
manner in which the stem and disc are attached, the way the
stem and disc assembly mount inside the valve body,
undercutting of disc, type of material used in stem bushings and
packing, and availability of a ring seal between the seat and valve
body.

Working with a company that can offer and properly apply a

variety of trim features will enhance the success of the butterfly
valve in a specific application.

Applications

As stated earlier, Butterfly Valves are generally specified for most

air, gas, steam, and liquid applications. They offer an excellent,
economically priced, positive shut-off valve for handling materials
(e.g. gases and liquids) that are easily displaced by the valve disc
as it closes. When handling this type of material, butterfly valves
provide a reliable, bubble-tight, bi-directional shut off.

Care must be taken when applying a butterfly valve in semi-

abrasive or abrasive dry material applications (this includes slurry
applications that contain suspended particles because: 
1) A valve disc closing on dry bulk material will create premature
wear to the rubber seat. 

2) The obstructed orifice created by the disc may cause bridging

of material on the inlet side of the valve. 

3) A disc opening or closing on a standing column of dry material

may cause the material to jam / pack. 

4) Particles of dry material or suspended particles in slurries may

become trapped between the disc and seat, causing conveying
line inefficiencies.

Other Types of Butterfly Valves

As a person becomes familiar with butterfly valves, they will

undoubtedly discover other types of butterfly valves on the
market. Listed below is a brief introduction to some of these
other types.

Inflatable Seated Butterfly Valves

Inflatable seated butterfly valves utilize an inflatable seat or
bladder to create a seal around the disc. Once the disc is brought
to the closed position, the bladder is inflated pneumatically.

Pros: 
1) Since the seal is created after the disc closes, less torque is
required to move the disc into the closed position. A smaller sized
actuator costing less money is can be used.

2) Again, because the seal is created after the disc closes,

minimal abrasion exists between the disc and the seat.

Cons: 
1) In addition to the controls needed to verify the position of the
disc, additional controls are needed to identify whether the
bladder is inflated or not. These controls add cost to the valve.

2) The bladder may be damaged and not creating a seal, even

though controls identify that a seal has been established.

3) The valve must be located near an air supply to pneumatically

inflate the bladder. 

4) The inflatable bladder is subject to damage and abrasion,

requiring periodic replacement.

High Performance -- Double Offset Butterfly Valve

This type of butterfly valve is ideal for applications involving
higher temperatures (up to 1200º F) and higher pressures (up to
1440 psig). The disc and stem are double offset, causing the disc
to “cam” into place upon closure.

Pros:
1) A reliable butterfly valve for handling higher temperature and
pressure applications.

Cons:
1) Cost -- considerably more expensive than standard butterfly
valves.
High Performance -- Triple Offset Butterfly Valve
This type of butterfly valve is often used in refinery and off shore
applications where more extreme conditions exist. Most triple
offsets utilize a metal on metal seat and disc closure, are rated up
to 600# class, and are fire safe.

Pros:
1) A reliable valve for extreme applications.

Cons:
1) Cost -- more expensive than the double-offset butterfly valve.

The double and triple offset butterfly valves are specialized valves
for extreme applications.

Salina Vortex Corporation manufacturers a variety of slide gates,

diverter valves and iris valves for handling dry bulk material.
Vortex butterfly valves are available for air, steam, liquid and
certain dry material applications.