Valve Glossary - Key Terms within the Industry

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In the complex and technical world of valve manufacturing and usage, understanding the key terms and concepts is crucial for professionals and enthusiasts alike. This comprehensive glossary serves as a valuable resource, shedding light on the most important terms in the valve industry. From basic components to sophisticated mechanisms, this article will guide you through the jargon, enhancing your knowledge and competence in this specialised field.


Key Terminology

Terminology

Description

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Valves: A valve is a mechanical device that controls the flow of a fluid (gases, liquids, fluidised solids, or slurries) by opening, closing, or partially obstructing various passageways. [HERE]
Actuators: A mechanism that operates a valve from a remote location, using power sources like electric, hydraulic, or pneumatic energy. [HERE]
Ball Valve: A valve that uses a spherical disc to control flow. It is opened when the ball's hole is in line with the flow and closed when it is pivoted 90-degrees. [HERE]
Butterfly Valve: A valve with a disc that rotates around a central axis, controlling flow with minimal pressure drop. [HERE]
Check Valve: A valve that allows flow in one direction only, preventing backflow. [HERE]
Diaphragm Valve: A valve that uses a flexible diaphragm, operated either manually or via an actuator, to control flow. [HERE]
Gate Valve: A valve that opens by lifting a barrier (gate) out of the path of the fluid. [HERE]
Globe Valve: A valve that regulates flow in a pipeline through a movable disk or plug. [HERE]
Knife Gate Valve: A specialised gate valve designed to cut through slurry or viscous fluids. [HERE]
Needle Valve: A type of valve with a small port and a threaded, needle-shaped plunger, allowing precise flow control. [CONTACT]
Pinch Valve: A valve that uses a pinching mechanism to control fluid flow, commonly used for slurries or liquids containing solids. [CONTACT]
Plug Valve: A valve that allows fluid to flow through it when open and stops flow when the plug is rotated to block the flow. [HERE]
Pressure Relief Valve: A safety device that releases excess pressure from a vessel or system when it becomes too high. [CONTACT]
Solenoid Valve: An electromechanically operated valve controlled by an electric current through a solenoid. [HERE]
Three-way Valve A valve that connects three ports together, commonly used to mix or divert flow paths. [CONTACT]
Trunnion Valve A ball valve with additional support for the ball, typically used in higher pressure applications. [CONTACT]
Valve Body The primary outer shell of a valve that contains the internal parts or the flow passageway. [CONTACT]
Valve Seat The internal surfaces of a valve which contacts the disc to form a leak-proof closure. [CONTACT]
Valve Stem The part of a valve that transmits motion from the actuator to the movable internal parts. [CONTACT]
Valve Trim The replaceable internal parts of a valve that come into contact with the flow medium, including the stem, disk, seat, and sleeve. [CONTACT]
Bleed Valve A small valve designed for draining or releasing excess pressure or fluid. [CONTACT]
Bonnet The part of the valve assembly that houses the stem and packing, attached to the body. [CONTACT]
Cavitation A phenomenon where vapor bubbles form and collapse in a fluid, potentially causing damage to the valve. [CONTACT]
Control Valve A valve used to control flow rate, pressure, or other parameters, often automated with actuators. [HERE]
Cryogenic Valve Specially designed valves used for very low temperature applications, such as LNG or liquid nitrogen. [HERE]
Double Block and Bleed Valve A configuration with two valve elements providing a seal against pressure from both ends, with a bleed valve between them to ensure the seal integrity. [CONTACT]
Expansion Valve A valve that reduces the pressure of refrigerants and other fluids as part of thermal management systems. [CONTACT]
Flange A method of connecting pipes, valves, pumps, and other equipment to form a piping system, involving sealing and bolting two flanges together. [HERE]
Flow Coefficient (Cv) A value that indicates the flow capacity of a valve at a specific opening, helping to compare valve performances. [CONTACT]
Handwheel The manual control mechanism on a valve used to operate the stem and gate mechanisms. [CONTACT]
Lift Check Valve A check valve where the disc lifts off its seat against gravity or flow pressure. [HERE]
Lockout Device A safety device used to lock a valve in a specific position to prevent unauthorised operation. [CONTACT]
Pilot Valve A small valve that controls a larger valve, often used in safety and relief valve applications. [CONTACT]
Positioner A device used with a control valve actuator to control the opening and closing of the valve based on a control signal. [HERE]
Pressure Balance Valve A valve that maintains constant output pressure despite fluctuations in input pressure or flow. [CONTACT]
Rotary Valve A type of valve where the closure member travels along a path that is circular in the flow path. [HERE]
Strainer A device used for mechanically removing unwanted solids from fluid, gas, or steam lines by utilising a perforated or mesh strainer element. [HERE]
Union A pipe fitting that provides a simple method for disconnecting and connecting piping systems for maintenance or fixture replacement. [CONTACT]
Back Pressure The pressure encountered on the downstream side of a valve, which can affect its operation and flow characteristics. [CONTACT]
Bypass Valve A secondary valve used to divert flow around a main valve for maintenance or flow regulation purposes. [CONTACT]
Commissioning The process of ensuring that all systems and components of a valve are designed, installed, tested, operated, and maintained according to the operational requirements of the owner or final client. [CONTACT]
Deadband A range in which a change in input does not result in a change in output, commonly related to control valves and actuators. [CONTACT]
Differential Pressure The difference in pressure between two points in a system; important for the operation of certain types of valves. [CONTACT]
Hard Seating Valve seating made of harder materials, such as metals, used for high-pressure or high-temperature applications where softer seating materials would fail. [CONTACT]
Isolation Valve A type of valve used to completely stop the flow of fluid in a piping system, allowing for maintenance or system alterations without stopping the entire system. [CONTACT]
Limit Switch A device used to send a signal that a valve has reached its open or closed position. [HERE]
Manifold A pipe or chamber branching into several openings, used to distribute or collect fluids from one or more sources to one or more destinations. [CONTACT]
NACE Standards Standards set by the National Association of Corrosion Engineers used to select appropriate materials and define processes to minimise corrosion in valves and other equipment. [CONTACT]
Non-return Valve Another term for a check valve, which prevents backflow in a system. [HERE]
Overpressure Protection Devices or methods used to protect systems from pressure exceeding safe limits, often involving relief or safety valves. [CONTACT]
Packing Gland A component used to contain the packing material around a valve stem to prevent leakage. [CONTACT]
Quarter-turn Valve A valve that moves from open to closed position with a quarter turn (90 degrees), such as a ball or butterfly valve. [HERE]
Reduced Bore Valve A valve whose bore diameter is smaller than the diameter of the connected piping, reducing flow accordingly. [HERE]
Safety Valve A valve that automatically releases substance from a boiler, pressure vessel, or other system when the pressure or temperature exceeds preset limits. [HERE]
Seat Leakage Leakage that occurs across the valve seat, even when the valve is in the closed position, typically defined under specific standards like ANSI/FCI or API. [CONTACT]
Trim Material The specific materials used for the components of a valve (such as the seat, disk, and stem) that come into contact with the flow medium. [CONTACT]
V-Port Valve A type of ball valve with a 'V'-shaped ball or seat, allowing for finer flow control. [CONTACT]