A ball valve is a shutoff valve that controls the flow of liquids or gases using a rotating ball with a bore (hole) through its center. When the bore aligns with the pipeline, fluid flows freely; when rotated 90 degrees, the flow is completely blocked. This simple yet effective design makes ball valves one of the most reliable and widely used valve types across various industries. 

Ball valves operate using a quarter-turn mechanism that moves the ball inside the valve body. The ball has a hole (or port) through its center, allowing flow when in the open position. A handle or actuator rotates the ball, enabling precise on/off control with minimal pressure drop.

A butterfly valve is a quarter-turn valve used to regulate the flow of liquids, gases, and steam. It consists of a rotating disc that pivots within the pipeline to allow or restrict flow. When fully open, the disc is parallel to the flow, minimising pressure drop. When closed, it creates a tight seal, preventing leakage. 

Butterfly valves operate through a 90-degree rotation of the disc, which is centrally or offset mounted within the valve body. The disc can be controlled manually using a lever or operated automatically with pneumatic, electric, or hydraulic actuators. These valves are widely used in applications requiring quick shutoff and space-saving designs.

A solenoid valve is an electrically controlled valve that regulates the flow of liquids or gases. It operates using an electromagnetic coil, which generates a magnetic field to open or close the valve. Solenoid valves are widely used in industrial automation, HVAC systems, water treatment, and pneumatic applications due to their fast response time and precise control.

Solenoid valves function by using an electric coil to move a plunger or diaphragm inside the valve body. When the coil is energised, the magnetic field lifts the plunger, allowing flow. When de-energised, the plunger returns to its original position, stopping the flow. These valves can be normally closed (NC), meaning they stay shut until activated, or normally open (NO), meaning they remain open until powered.

A gate valve is a linear motion valve designed to control the flow of liquids, gases, or steam by raising or lowering a gate (wedge or disc) inside the valve body. When fully open, gate valves provide unrestricted flow with minimal pressure drop, making them ideal for on/off control rather than throttling.

Gate valves operate by lifting a metal gate using a threaded stem mechanism. When the valve is open, the gate moves completely out of the flow path, allowing full pipeline capacity. When closed, the gate blocks the passage, providing a tight shutoff to stop fluid movement. These valves are operated manually via a handwheel or automatically with electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic actuators.

A globe valve is a linear motion valve designed for precise flow control, regulation, and shutoff in pipelines. Unlike gate valves, which are primarily for on/off applications, globe valves offer throttling capabilities, making them ideal for applications that require controlled fluid flow.

Globe valves consist of a movable plug (or disc) and a stationary seat inside a spherical valve body. The plug moves up and down via a threaded stem, allowing gradual flow adjustment. This design provides accurate throttling control and improved sealing compared to other valve types. 

A control valve is an automated valve designed to regulate fluid flow, pressure, and temperature in a system. Unlike manual valves, control valves adjust dynamically in response to signals from a controller, ensuring precise process control in industries such as oil & gas, power generation, water treatment, and chemical processing.

Control valves operate using an actuator (pneumatic, electric, or hydraulic) that adjusts the valve position based on signals from a control system. These signals are typically generated by sensors measuring flow rate, pressure, temperature, or level. The valve modulates the flow to maintain the desired setpoint, improving process efficiency and stability.

A check valve, also known as a non-return valve (NRV), is a self-acting valve that allows fluid to flow in only one direction, preventing backflow. These valves operate automatically using flow pressure without the need for manual or external control, making them essential for protecting pumps, pipelines, and sensitive equipment.

Check valves open when fluid flows in the intended direction and automatically close when flow reverses. This closure is typically achieved by a disc, ball, or flap that is pushed shut by gravity, spring force, or reverse pressure, preventing backflow and protecting the system.