How to Choose the Right Valve for Your Application

Selecting the right valve is essential for ensuring smooth, efficient operation in any process manufacturing setup. Whether you’re managing liquids, gases, or steam, the valve you choose directly impacts flow control, system safety, and performance.

Because each system has unique demands, understanding how different valves function and which one suits your specific application is the first step toward making a smart investment.

Valve Selection Guide: How to Pick the Right One?

Choosing the right valves is essential for the plumbing system’s efficiency, supporting water conservation, and enhancing energy efficiency. No single valve is considered the best; however, various valves are renowned for their exceptional applications in a wide range of processes.

Continue reading to uncover the answer to choosing a valve compatible with your industry-specific needs.

Understand your Application

Acquiring valves for your commercial zones significantly differs from obtaining the same items for your home. 

The primary difference lies in the quantity of any product, as industrial operations require bulk handling of products with a substantial budget, and each item must be in optimal condition to deliver the best results.

The first step in the valve selection guide is to understand your application and requirements. Begin by assessing the need for valves in your industry-specific operations, and establish a budget for purchasing and installing them.

Evaluate Your Need for Different Valve Types

Once you have set up your budget and assessed the needs for valves throughout your industry, the next step is to review different types of valves and select those that align with your requirements. 

For example, needle and butterfly valves are commonly employed to control flow. In contrast, check valves and multi-port ball valves are frequently used for directional control.

You can obtain your desired type by contacting a leading valves supplier. Additionally, catalogs from trusted valve manufacturers serve as valuable resources for understanding different valve types and their uses. They usually specify the main uses for each valve category, enabling you to choose wisely. 

Consider Valve Sizing and Performance Specifications

A valve is usually installed in a piping system when the pipe size is already known. 

However, using a valve that isn’t the right size for the application can lead to some tricky operating issues, both within the valve itself and throughout the fluid transfer system. For example, if a valve is too small, it can choke the flow downstream and cause back pressure upstream, which can be quite a hassle to manage.

Two factors have a significant impact and can alter the size of the valve: the maximum allowable pressure decrease (if any) and the maximum flow rate (if any). It’s important to keep both of these criteria in mind as we determine the size of the valve.

Examine the Valve Materials of Construction

The body of the valve is another parameter that should be considered when conducting your industrial valve selection. For this purpose, it is essential to examine the details of the media that will flow from these valves and the surrounding environment.

Corrosive media like chemicals, acids, saltwater, process wastewater, and some foods and beverages need materials that are resistant to corrosion. Additionally, when dealing with high-pressure media, it’s important to use a high-strength alloy that can handle the internal stresses. 

For valves that pass steam or hot media, choosing an alloy that keeps its strength and resists oxidation or corrosion even at higher temperatures is essential.

Don’t Forget the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

Remember? We have started the valve selection guide by understanding your application and setting a budget. 

Many industry owners get confused as the budget is not only the cost of a valve. This figure represents the total cost of valve purchasing, operation, and maintenance. 

Selecting the right valve, made from sturdy materials, ensures longevity and minimizes the need for replacement in the long run. So, investing in high-quality and durable valves not only saves you a lot of money but also spares you the headaches of maintenance and replacement.

Types of Valves Used for Various Purposes

Based on their flow rate and applications, valves can be broadly divided into several types. Let’s understand the basic types of valves based on their uses in residential and commercial spaces.

Household Valves: Optimal Choices for Homes and Small Enterprises

Household valves play a vital role in managing water flow in residential areas and small commercial spaces. Each type of valve has its unique mechanism, allowing for easy adjustments in temperature and pressure. 

Household valves are utilized in kitchen sinks, bathroom sinks, showers, bathtubs, and various other plumbing fixtures, rendering them both practical and convenient. 

Selecting suitable materials for household valves is crucial, based on the properties of the water and its intended application, to ensure optimal performance and longevity.

Brass Ball Valves: A Rapid Shift Between Open and Closed

Brass ball valves are designed to effectively manage water flow with the help of a smooth, spherical disk.  

They provide reliable control over the flow, making them a great choice for your plumbing needs. They operate effectively under high pressures and temperatures, which is the reason they are commonly found in industrial settings and extensive water distribution systems. 

Furthermore, they are an excellent choice for residential and commercial applications. Ball valves are favored for their fast and simple switching between open and closed positions. 

Choosing the right ball valve involves evaluating factors like material choice, application context, and pressure tolerance.

Radiator Valves: Increase Energy Efficiency in Heating Systems

Radiator valves are essential for controlling hot water flow in heating systems. These handy devices are attached to radiators, allowing for easy adjustment of hot water intake for each unit. 

With thermostatic radiator valves, the magic happens automatically; they adjust the hot water flow in response to temperature changes in the room, thereby enhancing energy efficiency. 

By using radiator valves, we can ensure that the heating system runs smoothly and evenly balances the temperature differences between rooms, creating a cozy and comfortable atmosphere.

Butterfly Valves: Quick Operation with Minimal Pressure Loss

When selecting industrial valves, butterfly valves take the lead by regulating water flow with a disk-shaped closure. 

The closure operates smoothly with a simple 90-degree turn. These valves are not only lightweight but also efficiently regulate flow at low pressure, allowing for quick operations that make them ideal for tighter spaces. 

They are especially favored in large-diameter pipelines and various industrial applications. When selecting a butterfly valve for your commercial needs, consider the material, pressure resistance, and flow capacity to ensure you make the best choice.

Bottom Line: Create an Efficient Plumbing System with the Right Valve

Regardless of the industrial sector you operate in, the right valves can make a significant difference in your operations. Investing in top-quality valves from the leading manufacturers can help you efficiently control water flow and achieve energy and water savings. 

Consider flow capacity, compatibility, application area, durability, and maintenance of the valves before finalizing your purchase decision.
At Industrial Supply Groups, we excel in providing premium industrial solutions to our valued clients, enabling them to conduct their operations with precision, efficiency, and excellence. Connect with us today to get the best valves for your factories.