How to Select the Right Valve – 5 Key Factors to Consider

How to Select the Right Valve – 5 Key Factors to Consider

Do you know the crucial roles valves play in our everyday lives? Wherever fluids and gases move, valves are needed to control and secure their flow. Valves, with its unique design and function, regulate the flow of liquids, gases, and even solids in a myriad of applications. The importance of valves can’t be understated, and it proves their ubiquity in all types of industrial, commercial, and residential systems. Valves are found pretty much everywhere – from our homes to power generation plants, paper mills, oil and gas refineries, water treatment, chemical manufacturing, and a wide variety of industrial facilities.

So, if you have been tasked with purchasing valves for any industrial projects or maintenance works, it is essential to ensure you make the right pick. With an assortment of use cases across industries, it is easy to find valves with different specifications. At the same time, this multitude of selections might be confusing to many, especially if you are a first-time buyer. Buying and installing substandard or wrong valves can put engineering safety at serious risk, leading to excessive downtime and accidents. We cannot stress enough how important choosing the right valves is for ensuring safe and reliable operations.
So, what do you need to know to begin your search for the right valves? Let’s find out.

Primary purpose:

Why do you need the valve? The primary purpose of the valve should guide your selection. Even though a valve can perform a broad range of functions, you need to consider the specific requirements of your application. There are different types of industrial valves, including, but not limited to ball valves, gate valves, butterfly valves, and Danfoss solenoid valves. However, each type is designed for specific functionality, and choosing the right one depends on the exact purpose and functionality of your application. Will it be used to control or isolate the media? Will it be used to prevent reverse flow? Do you need it to redirect the flow within a pipeline? Having a clear idea about the exact requirements will help in filtering out the choices.

Type of media and material compatibility:

What material would be flowing through the valves? You need to consider the characteristics of the media flowing through the system to ensure valve material compatibility. Are you looking for valves for a processing system that uses food oil or engine oil? Is it for any harsh or corrosive chemicals? Since valves are used for controlling the flow of media such as natural gas, compressed dry air, steam, liquefied petroleum, gasoline, slurry, and water, it is crucial to ensure the valve material you choose works perfectly for the system. For instance, if harsh chemicals pass through the valves, then go for PVC Honeywell valves, as they are more resistant to chemicals than metal valves. There are different materials of valves available, such as PVC, brass, bronze, or stainless steel that offer corrosion resistance and compatibility with various media. Keep in mind that valve material compatibility with the media is necessary to ensure long-term operations and better handling of pressures.

Flow control characteristics:

Whether you are planning to purchase Honeywell valves or Danfoss solenoid valves, it is essential to gauge their performance capacity. The parameters you need to consider while assessing the performance capacity of a valve include its size, temperature range, and pressure ratings. A valve’s size determines its flow capacity, which in turn corresponds to the required flow rate of the system. It is integral to avoid oversizing or under-sizing of valves, as it could lead to unstable operations and rapid damage to the valves. Determine the maximum and minimum temperature range of the media to be transferred. Also, check the operating pressure levels in your system so that you can decide whether to choose a valve with a pressure rating higher than or equal to the desired range. Industrial valves are conferred with temperature classes and pressure ratings based on manufacturing materials and testing standards.

Compliance and standards:

When it comes to buying valves for domestic or industrial applications, make sure to check whether they meet relevant certifications and compliance requirements. Purchasing substandard products not only poses a major safety hazard but also has a chance of failing prematurely. Depending on your application demands and requirements, ensure the valves you select adhere to valid industry standards such as ANSI, API, ISO or any specific certifications like NSF, UL, or ATEX.

Manufacturer:

Last but not least, you need to consider buying from a reputed valve manufacturer and supplier. Choose a company that has a renowned history of producing high-quality valves and accessories. Browse online and check for manufacturers with a solid reputation for producing top-notch, safe, durable, and reliable valves for every application. Once you have shortlisted the manufacturers, look for local suppliers who can offer authentic quality products. No matter whether you have decided to buy Honeywell valves or Danfoss solenoid valves, find a trusted supplier like RZBM to get the best quality products.

When it comes to buying valves, you can’t go for a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, you have to consider various factors and features to choose a valve with the right specifications to guarantee a controlled and safe process. If you need help choosing the right valve type for your project or facility, reach out to RZBM. Our team of specialists is always happy to help you.