Maintaining the flow of oil and gas through pipelines is a difficult undertaking that requires for a variety of dependable equipment. One of these essential components is a gas valve. The oil and gas sector could not guarantee the delivery of crude oil, refined gas, natural gas, and other products without gas valves. To better comprehend what is necessary for the secure and efficient movement of materials, learn the fundamentals of valves, including the seven varieties that are most frequently used in the oil and gas business.
Because they are employed in various situations, there are several types of gas valves. Seven types that are frequently utilised in the oil and gas sector are broken down below.
- Gate Valves
The gate valve might be the one that’s employed the most in the industry. To completely open or close a pipeline, it employs a gate system. If the flow rate needs to be controlled and maintained, this is a great option. As the actuator fully opens the valve, the channel is clear, facilitating even the flow of slurry fluids like crude oil. The pressure does not noticeably drop when this valve is utilized, despite the fact that it is not the best option if throttling is necessary in an application.
- Globe Valves
The globe valve is commonly used when pressure control is required. Moreover, it is frequently used in open and shut operations. The actuator raises and lowers the valve plug vertically as necessary. Because of the S-shaped tube inside of them, they have a tendency to induce a greater pressure drop than other valve types. They work well for throttling and flow regulation tasks.
- Check Valves
Check valves are very useful for gas refineries because they open under pressure and prevent material or fluid from flowing backward. Cross-contamination of the product is stopped by the limited backflow. In other words, many materials can utilize the same pipeline. Like with other valve types, there is no requirement for an actuator here. To achieve the needed response to fluid pressure, however, proper installation is necessary.
- Plug Valves
The plug valve consists of a disc with a horizontal passageway bored through it that is fashioned like a plug. Fluid will flow through the hole when the linear valve is open. Any flow through the pipeline is stopped by rotating the actuator 90 degrees from the open position. This valve works best for unrefined oil products used in the manufacture of biogas but is not recommended for throttling operations.
- Ball Valves
Rotating valves called ball valves provide quick shut-offs for pipelines in situations where tight sealing is frequently needed. Due to the fact that they possess reasonable regulating control or throttle functions, they are best used in fully open or totally closed positions. There are numerous various kinds of this type of valve, giving the market options. Trunnion ball valves, for instance, can withstand high pressure, while a floating ball valve performs better in pipelines with low to medium pressure. They offer reliable sealing, quick shut-offs, and are simple to repair.
- Butterfly Valves
These valves have a straightforward design, are portable, and are small. To control flow, they employ a disc-shaped device held by a rod. They enable simple material flow while handling high-pressure pipelines. They firmly close when they are closed. They are frequently used in pipes with big diameters when a gate valve is not appropriate.
- Slam-shut Valves
These valves add to the safety of the machinery either in their upstream or downstream directions. This kind of valve is made to stay open until a large pressure change is noticed and can be located right before a regulator. The flow is then suddenly stopped, and it must be manually resumed. They are crucial to the oil and gas industry in preventing accidents and injuries; they are also known as relief and safety valves.