11 Common Types of Valves Used in the Oil and Gas Industry

These days, oil and gas valves play an essential role in piping systems. They offer pressure and control flow over different types of fluids. Engineers in the oil and gas industry understand the importance of these valves since they boost the refining process of crude oil. There are many different types of valves used for a variety of purposes in projects. Control, gate, globe, butterfly, ball, check, plug, pinch, orbit, pressure-sealed, safety, and breather types of valves are some of the most common options. You need to consider different factors, such as maintenance routine, application condition, installation method, and valve performance, to make the right selection. Keep reading this blog to gain all the information you need.

What Are Valves Used in the Oil and Gas Industry?

According to Enerpac, valves are now widely used in oil and gas engineering to regulate the flow of fluids. These mechanical devices can open, close, or particularly block to steer oil or gas flow. They have many different applications, and engineers use these components in the oil and gas industry. Their primary function is to distribute fluids at an accurate speed and prevent the risk of leakage and backflow. Additional types of valves used in the oil and gas industry are manufactured in various shapes, sizes, and properties. Each offers unique features and benefits that meet different purposes.

Prevalent Types of Valves in the Oil and Gas Industry

Oil and gas valves are offered in a wide range of designs. Engineers need to choose the best selection that matches their project conditions and requirements, aiming to achieve the ideal outcome. Many different processes in the oil and gas industry require specific valves with unique properties. Keep reading to learn more about standard types of valves in the oil and gas industry.

Gate Valves

Gate valves are used when oil and gas engineers need to control a straight-line flow of fluid. They are designed to start or stop the flow, especially when a minimal flow restriction is required. These valves can lift or lower the gate with a flat sheet of metal functioning as a disc. Experts keep gate valves either fully open or closed; these devices can not precisely throttle the flow.

Control Valves

This type of valve plays a critical role in different industries, especially oil and gas. As the name indicates, they can professionally control the flow rate, pressure, and temperature of fluid or gas. An expert can control these valves remotely to change the size of the flow passageway whenever needed. Depending on their actuators, they can offer different levels of function quality.

Globe Valves

They are linear motion valves widely used in isolation and throttling in the oil and gas industry. They can monitor many different elements of fluid or gas, such as flow, temperature, and pressure rate. They are also called throttle valves and are divided into two halves with an internal baffle. These valves provide engineers with a good shut-off ability and can be opened or closed so quickly. There are three common patterns for globe valves, including tee, wye, and angle.

Butterfly Valves

Butterfly valves are used to separate oil and gas since they operate at right angles to the flow. They are designed for flow isolation and are lighter and cheaper than other types of valves. These valves offer quarter-turn rotational motion, allowing them to be opened or closed in the quickest time possible. The discs used in these valves look like wings, placed in the way of flow to control and lower the pressure. A primary benefit of these valves is that they come with a gearbox that attaches the hand wheel by gear. Engineers use butterfly valves when they want something with a high level of performance in high temperature and pressure. They are lightweight with compact, easy installation processes that can adequately cope with low-pressure drops.

Ball Valves

Just like butterfly valves, ball valves are also designed based on a quarter-turn rotational motion mechanism. They can maintain the flow of high-pressure liquid and gasses while preventing pressure drop. Their disc looks like a ball, allowing all fluid to pass through when it is open. The ball-shaped disc is perfectly aligned with the body, which is why they have a quick operation. A combination of several metallics lets ball valves last a lifetime. These isolation valves have a significant function in a wide range of temperatures, from  -200 deg C to 500 deg C. The 90-degree rotation of the ball around its axis allows you to control the flow however you determine. If you choose ball valves, there is no need to worry about leakage as they have tight sealing with low torque.

Check Valves

These valves are designed to prevent the fluid backflow in order to protect the pipes and all their mechanical components. In this way, you decrease the risk of costly repairs and save more money on energy bills. The function of these valves in the oil and gas industry is based on pressure gradient instead of a handle, lever, or actuator. Experts at Fluid Handling Pro suggest these valves when you can not adjust or monitor the valve system, and their automatic performance makes them a suitable option. Typically, the input pressure should be higher than the output pressure so these one-way or non-return valves function flawlessly.

Plug Valves

A plug valve is manufactured with a tapered or cylindrical plug to start, end, or control the fluid flow. It usually has more than one port to offer precise adjustment and control of corrosive liquids and gases. These adjustment valves offer minimal resistance flow, and you can turn them on or off quickly. In addition to oil and gas, they are widely used in food processing, vacuum, and pharmaceutical industries because their small size makes them versatile.

Safety Valves

Regarding the oil and gas industry, it is vital to consider needed safety tips in order to prevent possible damaging problems. For these occasions, safety valves are the best since they quickly open when the pressure reaches a certain limit. After reaching the predetermined pressure, the safety valves quickly open and let the gas, steam, or fluid escape. In this way, the risk of malfunctions, fires, or explosions is minimized in the oil and gas industry.

Breather Types of Valves

They are also known as relief valves, and they can professionally protect the tank. An excessive amount of pressure or vacuum can hurt the tank and disturb the balance system. Although these two factors, pressure, and vacuum, are always monitored with weighted pallets, a special type of relief valve can improve protection.

Pinch Valve

The pinch valve function is regarded as corrosive, abrasive, or granular fluid. It has a two-way design and flexible rubber sleeves inside to remove the medium. It is a cost-efficient option and can meet a variety of industrial needs.

Pressure-Sealed Valves

As you can understand from the name, engineers use these valves in high-pressure services. Pressure-sealed valves can ensure over 170 bar of pressure without any problem.

ORBIT Valves

All engineers in the oil and gas industry know that seal rubbing can ruin different types of valves over time. The tilt-and-turn operation of ORBIT valves can solve this problem. Because of its unique mechanical design, an ORBIT valve can be closed tightly. They also can perfectly endure -104 deg C to 427 deg C temperature which is why experts utilize these valves in hot oil systems and mole sieve dryers.

How Can You Choose the Right Valve for Your Oil and Gas Projects?

Each oil and gas project requires some specific standards to be maintained. There are some key factors to consider if you want to choose a valve with the best function in flow and pressure control.

• Application Condition: You need to determine the operating condition and all essential elements. In accordance with these circumstances, such as atmosphere temperature, flow variations, etc., you must choose the right size valve.
• Installation Method: You must understand how each type of valve is installed. It helps you to make the best decision according to your requirements.
• Type of Fluid or Gas: Different types of valves in the oil and gas industry offer unique properties and advantages. If it is corrosive, choose a valve with a high level of corrosive-resistance.
• Valve Performance: As explained, each type of valve provides engineers with a different function. Choose one that can meet the project’s needs.
• Maintenance Routine: Some of the valves used in the oil and gas industry require a high level of maintenance. On the other hand, some other ones are more durable over time. You must consider your accessibility to repair the valves whenever needed.

Conclusion

Choosing the ideal type of valve is critical regarding oil and gas projects. The need for oil and gas is rising day by day all around the world. That’s why professionals know the importance of these valves more than before. You can consult an experienced specialist for more information.

 

References:

https://www.dombor.com/valves-in-oil-and-gas-industry-the-ultimate-guide/

https://www.xintaivalves.com/blog/a-comprehensive-guide-to-types-and-applications/

https://comet-integrated.com/types-valves-used-oil-gas-industry/

https://dbaovalve.com/oil-and-gas-valves-guide/

https://www.valves.co.uk/valves/news/types-of-valves-used-in-the-oil-and-gas-industry/

https://valvulasfevisa.com/valves-used-in-oil-and-gas-industry/

https://blog.enerpac.com/10-common-types-of-valves-every-oil-and-gas-engineer-should-know-about/

https://fluidhandlingpro.com/oil-processing/common-valves-used-in-the-oil-gas-industry/