Introduction to Valves - Only the Basics

What are Valves?

Valves are mechanical devices that control the flow and pressure within a system or
process. They are essential components of a piping system that conveys liquids, gases,
vapors, slurries etc..
Different types of valves are available: gate, globe, plug, ball, butterfly, check,
diaphragm, pinch, pressure relief, control valves etc. Each of these types has a number
of models, each with different features and functional capabilities. Some valves are selfoperated while others manually or with an actuator or pneumatic or hydraulic is
operated.

Functions from Valves are:

Stopping and starting flow

Reduce or increase a flow

Controlling the direction of flow

Regulating a flow or process pressure

Relieve a pipe system of a certain pressure

There are many valve designs, types and models, with a wide range of industrial
applications. All satisfy one or more of the functions identified above. Valves are

expensive items, and it is important that a correct valve is specified for the function,
and must be constructed of the correct material for the process liquid.
Regardless of type, all valves have the following basic parts: the body, bonnet, trim
(internal elements), actuator, and packing. The basic parts of a valve are illustrated in
the image on the right.

Valve Body
The valve body, sometimes called the shell, is the primary boundary of a pressure
valve. He serves as the main element of a valve assembly because it is the framework
that holds all the parts together.
The body, the first pressure boundary of a valve, resists fluid pressure loads from
connecting piping. It receives inlet and outlet piping through threaded, bolted, or
welded joints.
The valve-body ends are designed to connect the valve to the piping or equipment
nozzle by different types of end connections, such as butt or socket welded, threaded or
flanged.
Valve bodies are cast or forged in a variety of forms and each component have a
specific function and constructed in a material suitable for that function.

Valve Bonnet
The cover for the opening in the body is the bonnet, and it is the second most
important boundary of a pressure valve. Like valve bodies, bonnets are in many designs
and models available.
A bonnet acts as a cover on the valve body, is cast or forged of the same material as
the body. It is commonly connected to the body by a threaded, bolted, or welded joint.

During manufacture of the valve, the internal components, such as stem, disk etc., are
put into the body and then the bonnet is attached to hold all parts together inside.
In all cases, the attachment of the bonnet to the body is considered a pressure
boundary. This means that the weld joint or bolts that connect the bonnet to the body
are pressure-retaining parts. Valve bonnets, although a necessity for most valves,
represent a cause for concern. Bonnets can complicate the manufacture of valves,
increase valve size, represent a significant cost portion of valve cost, and are a source
for potential leakage.

Valve Trim
Valve's trim is a collective name for the replaceable parts, in a valve. A typically Trim
design includes a disk, seat, stem, and sleeves needed to guide the stem.
A valve's performance is determined by the disk and seat interface and the relation of
the disk position to the seat. Because of the trim, basic motions and flow control are
possible. In rotational motion trim designs, the disk slides closely past the seat to
produce a change in flow opening. In linear motion trim designs, the disk lifts
perpendicularly away from the seat so that an annular orifice appears.

Valve Disk and Seat(s)

Disk

The disc is the part which allows, throttles, or stops flow, depending on its position. In
the case of a plug or a ball valve, the disc is called plug or a ball. The disk is the third
most important primary pressure boundary. With the valve closed, full system pressure
is applied across the disk, and for this reason, the disk is a pressure related component.
Disks are usually forged, and in some designs, hard surfaced to provide good wear
properties. Most valves are named, the design of their disks.

Seat(s)
The seat or seal rings provide the seating surface for the disk. A valve may have one or
more seats. In the case of a globe or a swing-check valve, there is usually one seat,

which forms a seal with the disc to stop the flow. In the case of a gate valve, there are
two seats; one on the upstream side and the other on the downstream side. A gate
valve disc has two seating surfaces that come in contact with the valve seats to form a
seal for stopping the flow.
To improve the wear-resistance of the seal rings, the surface is often hard-faced by
welding and then machining the contact surface of the seal ring. A fine surface finish of
the seating area is necessary for good sealing when the valve is closed. Seal rings are
not usually considered pressure boundary parts because the body has sufficient wall
thickness to withstand design pressure without relying upon the thickness of the seal
rings.

Valve Stem
The valve stem provides the necessary movement to the disc, plug or the ball for
opening or closing the valve, and is responsible for the proper positioning of the disk. It
is connected to the valve hand wheel, actuator, or the lever at one end and on the
other side to the valve disc. In gate or globe valves, linear motion of the disc is needed
to open or close the valve, while in plug, ball and Butterfly valves, the disc is rotated to
open or close the valve.
Stems are usually forged, and connected to the disk by threaded or other techniques.
To prevent leakage, in the area of the seal, a fine surface finish of the stem is
necessary.
There are five types of valve stems:

Rising Stem with Outside Screw and Yoke

The exterior of the stem is threaded, while the portion of the stem in the valve is
smooth. The stem threads are isolated from the flow medium by the stem packing.
Two different styles of these designs are available; one with the hand wheel attached
to the stem, so they can rise together, and the other with a threaded sleeve that
causes the stem to rise through the hand wheel. This type of valve is indicated by
"O. S. & Y." is a common design for NPS 2 and larger valves.

Rising Stem with Inside Screw

The threaded part of the stem is inside the valve body, and the stem packing along
the smooth section that is exposed to the atmosphere outside. In this case, the stem
threads are in contact with the flow medium. When rotated, the stem and the
handwheel to rise together to open the valve.

Non Rising Stem with Inside Screw

The threaded part of the stem is inside the valve and does not rise. The valve disc
travels along the stem, like a nut if the stem is rotated. Stem threads are exposed to
the flow medium, and as such, are subjected to the impact. That is why this model is

used when space is limited to allow linear movement, and the flow medium does not
cause erosion, corrosion or abrasion of the stem material.

Sliding Stem
This valve stem does not rotate or turn. It slides in and out the valve to open or
close the valve. This design is used in hand-operated lever rapid opening valves. It is
also used in control valves are operated by hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders.

Rotary Stem
This is a commonly used model in ball, plug, and Butterfly valves. A quarter-turn
motion of the stem opens or closes the valve.

In the main Menu "Valves" you will find some links to detailed (large) images of rising
and NON Rising Stem valves.

Valve Stem Packing

For a reliable seal between the stem and the bonnet, a gasket is needed. This is called
a Packing, and it is fitted with e.g. the following components:
1. Gland follower, a sleeve which compresses the packing, by a gland into the so
called stuffing box.
2. Gland, a kind of bushing, which compressed de packing into the stuffing box.
3. Stuffing box, a chamber in which the packing is compressed.
4. Packing, available in several materials, like Teflon, elastomeric material, fibrous
material etc..
5. A backseat is a seating arrangement inside the bonnet. It provides a seal between
the stem and bonnet and prevents system pressure from building against the valve
packing, when the valve is fully open. Back seats are often applied in gate and
globe valves.
An important aspect of the life time of a valve is the sealing assembly. Almost all
valves, like standard Ball, Globe, Gate, Plug and Butterfly valves have their sealing
assembly based upon shear force, friction and tearing.
Therefore valve packaging must be properly happen, to prevent damage to the stem
and fluid or gas loss. When a packing is too loose, the valve will leak. If the packing is
too tight, it will affect the movement and possible damage to the stem.

Typical sealing assembly

Compression packing for valve fitting guide

Valve Yoke and Yoke Nut

Yoke
A Yoke connects the valve body or bonnet with the actuating mechanism. The top of
the Yoke holding a Yoke nut, stem nut, or Yoke bushing and the valve stem passes
through it. A Yoke usually has openings to allow access to the stuffing box, actuator
links, etc.. Structurally, a Yoke must be strong enough to withstand forces, moments,
and torque developed by the actuator.

Yoke Nut
A Yoke nut is an internally threaded nut and is placed in the top of a Yoke by which the
stem passes. In a Gate valve e.g., the Yoke nut is turned and the stem travels up or
down. In the case of Globe valves, the nut is fixed and the stem is rotated through it.

Valve Actuator

Hand-operated valves are usually equipped with a handwheel attached to the valve's
stem or Yoke nut which is rotated clockwise or counter clockwise to close or open a
valve. Globe and gate valves are opened and closed in this way.
Hand-operated, quarter turn valves, such as Ball, Plug or Butterfly, has a lever for
actuate the valve.
There are applications where it is not possible or desirable, to actuate the valve
manually by handwheel or lever. These applications include:

Large valves that must be operated against high hydrostatic pressure

Valves they must be operated from a remote location

When the time for opening, closing, throttle or manually controlling the valve is
longer, than required by system-design criteria

These valves are usually equipped with an actuator.

An actuator in the broadest definition is a device that produces linear and rotary motion
of a source of power under the action of a source of control.
Basic actuators are used to fully open or fully close a valve. Actuators for controlling or
regulating valves are given a positioning signal to move to any intermediate position.
There a many different types of actuators, but the following are some of the commonly
used valve actuators:

Gear Actuators

Electric Motor Actuators

Pneumatic Actuators

Hydraulic Actuators

Solenoid Actuators

For more information about Actuators see main Menu "Valves" -Valve Actuators-

Classification of Valves
The following are some of the commonly used valve classifications, based on
mechanical motion:

Linear Motion Valves. The valves in which the closure member, as in gate, globe,
diaphragm, pinch, and lift Check Valves, moves in a straight line to allow, stop, or
throttle the flow.

Rotary Motion Valves. When the valve-closure member travels along an angular or
circular path, as in butterfly, ball, plug, eccentric- and Swing Check Valves, the
valves are called rotary motion valves.

Quarter Turn Valves. Some rotary motion valves require approximately a quarter
turn, 0 through 90, motion of the stem to go to fully open from a fully closed
position or vice versa.

Classification of Valves based on Motion

Valve Types

Linear Motion

Rotary Motion

Quarter Turn

Gate

YES

NO

NO

Globe

YES

NO

NO

Plug

NO

YES

YES

Ball

NO

YES

YES

Butterfly

NO

YES

YES

Swing Check

NO

YES

NO

Diaphragm

YES

NO

NO

Pinch

YES

NO

NO

Safety

YES

NO

NO

Relief

YES

NO

NO

Valve Types

Linear Motion

Rotary Motion

Quarter Turn

Class Ratings
Pressure-temperature ratings of valves are designated by class numbers. ASME B16.34,
Valves-Flanged, Threaded, and Welding End is one of the most widely used valve
standards. It defines three types of classes: standard, special, and limited. ASME
B16.34 covers Class 150, 300, 400, 600, 900, 1500, 2500, and 4500 valves.

Summary
On this page are defined a number of basic information from valves.
As you may have seen in the main Menu "Valves", you can find also information about
several and often applied valves in Petro and chemical industry.
It can give you an impression, and good understanding of the differences between the
various types of valves, and how these differences affect the valve function. It will help
to a proper application of each type of valve during the design and the proper use of
each type of valve during operation.