We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Machinery

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Are Control Valves?

By R. Kimball
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 9,801
Share

Control valves are tools that regulate the flow of a fluid or gas. The valves open either partially or fully or close in a similar manner to manage the amount of fluid or gas allowed to pass from one location to another. Valves are used throughout industrial processes to control the volume, speed, pressure, or other similar value of a fluid or gas within a given process or group of processes.

Industrial processes and the plants that support them are run automatically, mechanically, or using a combination of automatic and mechanical processes. The control valves used within these systems must operate in line with the plant’s processes. Some industrial control valves are mechanical and are operated with a handle, pedal, or lever. These are simple on and off valves which function similarly to the hot and cold water taps on a consumer faucet.

Automatic control valves are controlled with some form of computer, pneumatic, or hydraulic process. Sensors and control points throughout the industrial process determine the rate of flow or temperature at a certain point in the process. Based upon the measurements determined by the sensors, the process controller calculates what action needs to be taken in order to keep the process aligned. The process controller tells the control valve how much and in which direction to move.

Depending upon the type of control valve installed at a given point in an industrial process, the process controller either sends an instruction directly to the valve or to a process that causes the valve to move appropriately. An electrical control valve is provided an instruction directly by the industrial process controller. A pneumatic valve is generally notified via a separate process that the valve needs to move in one direction or another. This process then releases compressed air to move the pneumatic valve appropriately. A hydraulic valve is notified in a similar manner that a movement is necessary, but a fluid rather than compressed air causes the control valve to move as instructed.

Oil and gas pipelines make extensive use of control valves throughout their facilities. These valves might be simple mechanical valves for operations that have on-site employees available to begin or end a specific process. Some applications might require an automated valve where a remote system controls the amount of natural gas moving from one point in the system to another. Still other valves might be installed for safety purposes and need to trigger an automatic shut-off in the event pressure exceeds a set point.

Share
About Mechanics is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.aboutmechanics.com/what-are-control-valves.htm
Copy this link
About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.