15 Types of Industrial Valves and Their Applications [Complete Guide]
Valves are mechanical devices that control, direct, or regulate the flow of fluids by opening, closing, or partially obstructing passages. They are essential components in every piping system — from household plumbing to offshore oil platforms. This guide covers the 15 most important types of industrial valves, how they work, and when to use each one.
Table of Contents — 15 Valve Types
How Valves Are Classified
Industrial valves are classified by their function (what they do) and motion type (how they operate):
- By Function: Isolation (gate, ball, butterfly, plug) · Regulation/Throttling (globe, needle, butterfly, control) · Non-Return (check) · Pressure Relief (safety/relief) · Special Purpose (knife gate, diaphragm, pinch)
- By Motion: Linear motion (gate, globe, diaphragm, pinch) · Rotary motion / Quarter-turn (ball, butterfly, plug) · Self-actuated (check, safety/relief)
1. Gate Valve
Linear motion · Isolation · Multi-turn operation
A gate valve uses a flat or wedge-shaped gate (disc) that slides perpendicular to the flow path. When fully open, the gate retracts completely out of the flow, providing a straight-through, full-bore passage with minimal pressure drop. Gate valves are designed for on/off isolation only — they should not be used for throttling.
How it works: Turning the handwheel rotates a threaded stem that raises or lowers the gate. In the "rising stem" design, the stem moves up visually indicating the valve position. In "non-rising stem" (NRS) designs used in underground applications, the stem does not protrude.
Applications: Oil & gas pipelines, water distribution, power plants, refineries, fire protection systems, steam service, general isolation in all industries.
Advantages
- Full-bore, minimal pressure drop
- Bidirectional flow
- Wide size and pressure range
- Proven design, long service life
Limitations
- Slow operation (multi-turn)
- Not for throttling — causes erosion
- Large face-to-face dimension
- Prone to seat damage from debris
2. Globe Valve
Linear motion · Throttling & Isolation · Multi-turn operation
A globe valve uses a disc (plug) that moves linearly toward or away from a seat ring to regulate flow. The flow path makes an S-turn or Z-turn through the valve body, creating a change of direction that enables precise flow control but also creates a higher pressure drop than gate or ball valves.
How it works: The disc moves up and down via a threaded stem. Flow regulation is achieved by varying the gap between the disc and seat. Y-pattern globe valves have a stem angled at ~45° to reduce pressure drop and are preferred for high-pressure and high-temperature service.
Applications: Steam systems (flow control and isolation), boiler feed water, cooling water regulation, fuel oil systems, chemical dosing, and any application requiring precise flow regulation.
Advantages
- Excellent throttling capability
- Good shutoff — tight sealing
- Seat easily repaired or replaced
- Available in Y-pattern for low ΔP
Limitations
- High pressure drop (tortuous path)
- Heavier than gate valves
- Unidirectional — must install correctly
- Limited to ~24" size
3. Ball Valve
Quarter-turn · Isolation · Fast operation
A ball valve uses a hollow, perforated sphere (ball) that rotates 90° between open and closed positions. When open, the bore aligns with the pipe for full flow. When closed, the solid wall of the ball faces the flow, providing bubble-tight shutoff. Ball valves are the most widely used industrial valve for sizes ½" to 12".
How it works: A lever or actuator rotates the ball 90°. In floating ball designs, upstream pressure pushes the ball against the downstream seat for sealing. In trunnion designs, the ball is mechanically anchored, reducing operating torque for large/high-pressure applications.
Applications: Oil & gas pipelines (API 6D), chemical plants, refineries, LNG/cryogenic service, instrument isolation, natural gas distribution, fire-safe applications, subsea.
Advantages
- Bubble-tight shutoff (Class VI)
- Quick quarter-turn operation
- Full bore — piggable
- Low maintenance, long service life
Limitations
- Not for throttling — causes seat damage
- Expensive in large sizes (16"+)
- Heavy weight in large sizes
- PTFE seats limit temperature to ~260°C
4. Butterfly Valve
Quarter-turn · Isolation & Throttling · Compact & lightweight
A butterfly valve uses a disc mounted on a rotating shaft. The disc turns 90° from closed (perpendicular to flow) to open (parallel to flow). Even when fully open, the disc remains in the flow path. Butterfly valves are the most cost-effective option for large diameter applications.
How it works: A lever, gear, or actuator rotates the disc 90°. Concentric designs have the stem through the disc center — simple and cheap. Double offset designs reduce seat wear. Triple offset designs use a conical seat for bubble-tight metal-to-metal sealing in critical service.
Applications: Water treatment, HVAC, fire protection, cooling water, power plants, general chemical service, food & beverage. Triple offset: oil & gas, steam, high-temperature service.
Advantages
- Very cost-effective in large sizes
- Extremely lightweight and compact
- Good for throttling/flow control
- Easy to automate
Limitations
- Disc always in flow — pressure drop
- Not piggable
- Limited pressure for standard types
- Resilient seats limit temperature
5. Check Valve (Non-Return Valve / NRV)
Self-actuated · Prevents backflow · No external operation needed
A check valve allows fluid to flow in one direction only. It opens automatically when forward flow occurs and closes when flow reverses or stops. No handle, actuator, or external power is needed — it operates entirely by the pressure differential of the fluid itself.
Types explained:
- Swing Check: Disc hinges on a pin and swings open. Most common. Full bore. Low pressure drop. Best for horizontal pipelines.
- Dual Plate (Wafer): Two half-moon discs on a spring hinge. Very compact. Light weight. Fits between flanges. Best for large sizes.
- Piston/Lift Check: Disc lifts vertically off the seat. Similar to globe valve. Good for steam and high-pressure service.
- Tilting Disc: Disc tilts on a pivot point. Faster closing than swing check. Reduces water hammer.
- Non-Slam Check: Spring-assisted closing. Eliminates water hammer. Critical for pump protection.
Applications: Pump discharge protection, boiler feed water, compressor systems, pipeline isolation, water distribution, any system where backflow prevention is required.
Advantages
- Automatic — no external power needed
- Prevents backflow and water hammer
- Wide range of types for every application
- Low maintenance
Limitations
- Cannot be used for flow control
- Swing type — slow closing can cause water hammer
- Prone to disc flutter in low-flow conditions
- Unidirectional only
6. Plug Valve
Quarter-turn · Isolation · Cylindrical/tapered plug
A plug valve uses a cylindrical or conical plug with a through-bore that rotates 90° inside the body. Similar concept to a ball valve but uses a solid plug instead of a hollow sphere. Available in lubricated and non-lubricated designs. Commonly used for on/off service in abrasive, slurry, and dirty media where other valve types would get clogged or damaged.
Applications: Natural gas distribution, refinery service, slurry and abrasive media, chemical plants, sewage systems, and multi-port diverting applications.
Advantages
- Handles abrasive and dirty media
- Multi-port configurations (3-way, 4-way)
- Quick quarter-turn operation
- Low pressure drop (straight-through bore)
Limitations
- Higher operating torque than ball valve
- Lubricated type needs regular maintenance
- Higher cost than ball valves
- Limited throttling capability
7. Needle Valve
Linear motion · Precise flow control · Instrument isolation
A needle valve uses a long, tapered, needle-shaped plunger that fits precisely into a conical seat. The fine thread pitch allows very precise control of small flow rates. Used primarily in instrumentation systems and where accurate flow metering is needed.
8. Safety / Relief Valve
Self-actuated · Overpressure protection · Mandatory safety device
Safety and relief valves are automatic pressure-relieving devices that protect equipment and piping from overpressure. A safety valve opens rapidly (pops) at set pressure — used for compressible fluids (steam, gas). A relief valve opens proportionally — used for incompressible fluids (liquids). A safety relief valve can function as either.
9. Control Valve
Automated · Process control · Modulating flow
A control valve automatically regulates flow, pressure, temperature, or level in a process loop. It receives a signal (4-20 mA or 3-15 PSI) from a controller and adjusts the valve position proportionally. Control valves are the "final control element" in automated process systems.
10. Knife Gate Valve
Linear motion · Slurry service · Sharp-edged blade
A knife gate valve uses a sharp-edged blade (knife) that cuts through thick media to achieve shutoff. Designed specifically for slurry, pulp, wastewater, powder, and viscous media that would clog or damage conventional valves. The thin blade requires minimal force to cut through the media.
11. Diaphragm Valve
Linear motion · Flexible diaphragm · Clean/sterile service
A diaphragm valve uses a flexible membrane (diaphragm) that is pressed against a weir (dam) in the body to stop flow. The diaphragm completely isolates the operating mechanism from the process fluid, making it ideal for corrosive, abrasive, and sterile applications.
12. Pinch Valve
Linear motion · Flexible sleeve · Abrasive/slurry service
A pinch valve uses a flexible rubber sleeve that is pinched closed by pneumatic, hydraulic, or mechanical pressure. The smooth bore provides unrestricted flow and the flexible sleeve is the only wetted part, making it ideal for abrasive slurries, powders, and granular materials.
13. Pressure Seal Valve
High pressure design · Self-energizing seal · Power plant service
Pressure seal valves use a special bonnet-to-body joint where increasing internal pressure tightens the seal — the higher the pressure, the better the seal. This design eliminates bolted bonnet joints that can leak at very high pressures. Available in gate and globe valve configurations.
14. Steam Trap
Self-actuated · Condensate removal · Energy efficiency
A steam trap automatically drains condensate and non-condensable gases from steam systems while preventing live steam from escaping. They are critical for maintaining steam system efficiency and protecting equipment from water hammer.
15. Strainer
Passive filtration · Pipeline protection · Debris removal
While not technically a valve, strainers are essential pipeline components that remove debris, scale, and foreign particles to protect downstream equipment (pumps, valves, meters). They are installed upstream of critical equipment.
Master Comparison Table — All Valve Types
| Valve Type | Motion | Function | Throttling | Shutoff | Pressure Drop | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gate | Linear | Isolation | Poor | Good | Very Low | On/off, pipelines |
| Globe | Linear | Throttling | Excellent | Excellent | High | Flow control, steam |
| Ball | Quarter-turn | Isolation | Poor | Excellent | Very Low | Quick shutoff, pipelines |
| Butterfly | Quarter-turn | Isolation + Throttling | Good | Good | Moderate | Large sizes, HVAC, water |
| Check | Self-actuated | Non-return | N/A | N/A | Low-Moderate | Backflow prevention |
| Plug | Quarter-turn | Isolation | Fair | Good | Low | Slurry, dirty media |
| Needle | Linear | Throttling | Excellent | Good | High | Instrumentation, sampling |
| Safety/Relief | Self-actuated | Pressure relief | N/A | N/A | N/A | Overpressure protection |
| Control | Linear/Rotary | Modulating | Excellent | Good | Moderate | Automated process control |
| Knife Gate | Linear | Isolation | Poor | Good | Very Low | Slurry, pulp, mining |
| Diaphragm | Linear | Isolation + Throttling | Good | Excellent | Moderate | Sterile, corrosive media |
| Pinch | Linear | Isolation + Throttling | Good | Good | Very Low | Abrasive slurry, powder |
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