How do I choose between a gate valve and a globe valve?

Gate valve = isolation (on/off) only, full bore, minimal pressure drop, not for throttling. Globe valve = throttling and flow regulation, higher pressure drop, excellent flow control. Use gate valve when you need full open/close with minimal restriction. Use globe valve when you need to regulate flow rate or pressure.

When should I use a ball valve vs butterfly valve?

Ball valve = bubble-tight shut-off, higher pressure ratings (up to Class 2500), smaller sizes preferred, higher cost. Butterfly valve = compact, lightweight, lower cost, good for large sizes (DN300+), moderate shut-off. Use ball valve for critical isolation, high pressure, toxic/flammable media. Use butterfly valve for large diameter, low-pressure, cost-sensitive applications.

What valve should I use for slurry service?

Knife gate valve is the best choice for slurry, pulp, wastewater, and media with solids. The sharp-edged blade cuts through fibrous and viscous media. For abrasive slurry, use pinch valves or diaphragm valves. Never use globe valves or conventional gate valves for slurry — they will clog.

What valve is best for steam service?

For steam isolation: gate valve (API 600/602) or globe valve. For steam throttling: globe valve or control valve. For steam check: swing check or piston check. For steam trapping: thermodynamic steam trap. Material: carbon steel (WCB) for standard steam, alloy steel (WC6/WC9) for high-temperature steam above 425°C. IBR certification required in India.

What is the difference between isolation valve and control valve?

Isolation valve = fully open or fully closed, on/off service only (gate, ball, butterfly, knife gate). Control valve = modulates flow rate or pressure continuously (globe, butterfly with actuator, ball with V-port). Isolation valves are simpler and cheaper. Control valves require actuators and positioners for precise flow regulation.

Valve Selection Guide – How to Choose the Right Industrial Valve

Selecting the right valve is critical for safety, efficiency, and cost. This guide covers the 6 main valve types, when to use each, and a decision matrix to help you choose. Published by Supreme Valves India.

Quick Decision Matrix

Use this table to quickly identify the right valve type for your application:

If you need...	Use this valve	Why
Full on/off isolation, minimal pressure drop	Gate Valve	Full bore, bi-directional, lowest Cv restriction
Flow throttling / regulation	Globe Valve	Best throttling characteristics, precise control
Quick on/off, bubble-tight, high pressure	Ball Valve	Quarter-turn, zero leakage, up to Class 2500
Large diameter, low cost, compact	Butterfly Valve	Lightest, cheapest per inch, good for DN300+
Prevent backflow	Check Valve	Automatic, no external actuation needed
Slurry, pulp, wastewater with solids	Knife Gate Valve	Sharp blade cuts through media, won't clog
Precise flow control with actuator	Control Valve (Globe)	Linear/equal % characteristics, positioner
Overpressure protection	Safety / Relief Valve	Automatic, spring-loaded, ASME/IBR certified
Condensate removal from steam	Steam Trap	Automatic, energy efficient, prevents water hammer
Pipeline debris filtration	Strainer (Y-type / Basket)	Protects downstream equipment, easy cleaning

Valve Type Comparison Chart

Property	Gate	Globe	Ball	Butterfly	Check	Knife Gate
Primary Function	Isolation	Throttling	Isolation	Isolation / Throttle	Backflow prevention	Slurry isolation
Motion Type	Linear	Linear	Quarter-turn	Quarter-turn	Automatic	Linear
Throttling	Poor	Excellent	Fair (V-port)	Good	N/A	Poor
Shut-off	Good	Excellent	Excellent	Good	Good	Good (soft seat)
Pressure Drop (Open)	Very Low	High	Very Low	Low	Low	Very Low
Max Pressure	Class 2500	Class 2500	Class 2500	Class 600	Class 2500	PN16 / CL300
Max Size	48"	24"	48"	120"	48"	72"
Solids Handling	Poor	Poor	Fair	Fair	Poor	Excellent
Cost (relative)	Medium	Medium-High	Medium-High	Low	Low-Medium	Low-Medium
Weight (relative)	Heavy	Heavy	Medium	Light	Medium	Light
Actuation Torque	High	High	Low	Low	N/A	Medium
Fire Safe	Yes	Yes	Yes (API 607)	Limited	Yes	No
Key Standard	API 600/602	API 602, BS 1873	API 6D, BS 5351	API 609	API 594, BS 1868	MSS SP-81

Valve Selection by Application

Oil & Gas

Isolation: Gate valve (API 600) or ball valve (API 6D)
Throttling: Globe valve or control valve
Check: Swing check (API 594) or dual plate
Pipeline: Slab gate or trunnion ball (API 6D)
Material: WCB, LF2, F316, Duplex, Inconel

Water & Wastewater

Isolation: Butterfly valve (PN10/PN16) or sluice valve
Slurry: Knife gate valve (MSS SP-81)
Check: Swing check or silent check
Control: Butterfly with electric actuator
Material: Ductile iron (GGG40/50), CI, epoxy lined

Power Plants & Boilers

Main steam: Gate valve (API 600) or pressure seal
Boiler blowdown: Blow-down valve (IBR)
Feed water: Globe valve + swing check
Condensate: Thermodynamic steam trap
Material: WCB, WC6, WC9, alloy steel. IBR mandatory.

Chemical & Petrochemical

Corrosive: PTFE-lined butterfly or ball valve
Isolation: Ball valve (SS316, Hastelloy, Monel)
Throttling: Globe valve or diaphragm valve
Abrasive: Pinch valve or knife gate
Material: SS316L, Duplex, Super Duplex, exotic alloys

Marine & Offshore

Seawater: NAB (Nickel Aluminium Bronze) valves
Ballast: Butterfly valve (NAB or rubber-lined)
Fire main: Gate valve (NAB, API 600)
Standards: NORSOK, DNV, Lloyd's, ABS approved
Material: NAB (C95800), CuNi 90/10, Super Duplex

Mining & Minerals

Slurry: Knife gate valve (MSS SP-81)
Abrasive: Pinch valve, rubber-lined
Tailings: Knife gate with hydraulic actuator
Dewatering: Butterfly valve + check valve
Material: GGG40, WCB, rubber-lined, ceramic

Key Selection Criteria

Criteria	What to Consider	Impact on Selection
Function	Isolation, throttling, check, safety, control	Determines valve type
Pressure	Design pressure, test pressure, surge pressure	Determines pressure class and body material
Temperature	Design temp, min/max, thermal cycling	Determines body material and seat/seal material
Media	Clean fluid, slurry, corrosive, abrasive, toxic	Determines valve type, material, and seat
Size	Pipe diameter, flow rate, Cv requirement	Determines valve size and body style
End Connection	Flanged, threaded, socket weld, butt weld, wafer	Must match piping specification
Actuation	Manual, gear, electric, pneumatic, hydraulic	Determines operator type and cost
Frequency	Rarely operated, frequent cycling, continuous modulation	Ball/butterfly for frequent, globe for modulation
Standards	API, ASME, BS, IS, IBR, NORSOK	Must comply with project specification
Cost	Initial cost, lifecycle cost, maintenance cost	Butterfly cheapest, exotic alloys most expensive

Material Selection Quick Reference

Media / Condition	Body Material	Trim / Seat	Max Temp
Water, steam (standard)	WCB (Carbon Steel)	SS304 / Stellite	425°C
High-temp steam	WC6, WC9 (Alloy Steel)	Stellite	593°C
Mild corrosive	SS316 (CF8M)	SS316 / PTFE	425°C
Seawater	NAB (C95800)	NAB / Monel	260°C
Strong acids	Hastelloy C276	Hastelloy / PTFE	425°C
Chloride service	Duplex / Super Duplex	Duplex / Stellite	315°C
Cryogenic (LNG)	LF2, CF8 (SS304)	SS304 / Stellite	-196°C
Water (low pressure)	GGG40 (Ductile Iron)	EPDM / NBR	120°C
Water (plumbing)	Bronze (LTB2)	Bronze / PTFE	225°C
Slurry, pulp	GGG40 / WCB	EPDM / PTFE / Metal	120°C

Need Help Selecting the Right Valve?

Our technical team can help you select the right valve type, material, and size for your application. Contact us with your datasheet or line list.

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