15 Valve Types Explained: Complete Guide & Applications

Valves play a critical role in industrial piping systems, helping manage, regulate and isolate the flow of liquids, gases and slurries. From power generation and water treatment to oil and gas facilities, every process depends on reliable valve performance.
This guide explores 15 common industrial valve types, explaining how they work, their typical applications and key considerations for selection. Whether you’re an engineer, plant manager or procurement professional, understanding these valve types helps ensure efficiency and long-term reliability.

Valve Functions in Industrial Fluid Systems

Valves perform several essential functions within industrial flow networks:

On/Off Isolation for Maintenance or System Safety: Valves used for on/off isolation help stop the flow completely during equipment maintenance or system shutdowns. They allow safe access to pipelines, reducing the risk of leaks, contamination or pressure buildup.

Throttling and Flow Regulation for Precise Control: Some valves are designed to adjust flow gradually, allowing operators to maintain desired pressure or flow rates. This function is essential in process industries where accurate flow control impacts efficiency and product quality.

Directional Control to Manage Flow Paths: Directional control valves determine the route that a fluid or gas takes through a system. They’re often used in hydraulic, pneumatic and process piping setups to switch between different flow paths or system loops.

Backflow Prevention Using Non-Return Designs: Backflow prevention valves allow flow in only one direction, protecting pumps, compressors and storage tanks from damage. Commonly used in water systems and process lines, they prevent contamination and maintain consistent system performance.

Pressure Relief to Safeguard Equipment: Pressure relief valves automatically open when system pressure exceeds safe limits. By releasing excess pressure, they prevent equipment failure, pipeline damage and potential safety hazards in boilers, compressors or gas systems.

Selecting the correct valve for each of these roles directly affects system performance, safety and cost efficiency.

Key Selection Criteria Before Choosing a Valve

Before finalizing a valve type, several factors should be reviewed:

• Media type: liquid, gas, steam or slurry.

• Operating pressure and temperature requirements.

• Flow rate (Cv value) and expected pressure drop.

• Material compatibility with process fluid - such as carbon steel, stainless steel or alloy construction.

• End connections (flanged, butt-weld, wafer or threaded) suitable for your pipeline layout.

• Automation requirements - whether manual, electric, pneumatic or hydraulic actuation is needed.

Understanding these parameters helps engineers and buyers select the most efficient and safe valve configuration.

15 Types of Valve

1. Ball Valve

A ball valve uses a rotating ball with a central bore to start or stop flow. It offers quick shut-off, tight sealing and long service life. Common in oil and gas, chemical and utility systems, ball valves perform well under high pressure but are not ideal for precise throttling.

2. Gate Valve

Designed for full open or close operation, gate valves use a sliding wedge to block flow. They’re widely used in water distribution, power plants and steam systems. When open, they offer minimal flow resistance but aren’t suited for frequent throttling.

3. Globe Valve

This valve regulates flow through a movable plug or disc that travels perpendicular to the seat. Found in feedwater control, HVAC and chemical lines, globe valves offer accurate flow regulation but create a higher pressure drop than straight-through valves.

4. Butterfly Valve

A quarter-turn rotary valve with a circular disc that controls flow. It’s compact, lightweight and ideal for large-diameter pipelines in HVAC, wastewater and power industries. While economical, it’s less suitable for applications needing fine flow adjustment.

5. Check Valve

Check valves automatically allow forward flow and prevent reverse flow, protecting pumps and compressors from backflow. Common types include swing, lift and dual-plate check valves. They need sufficient upstream pressure to operate effectively.

6. Plug Valve

Plug valves use a cylindrical or tapered plug to control flow with a simple quarter turn. They provide reliable shut-off in systems handling gas, slurry or high-temperature fluids. Their main limitation is less precise throttling performance.

7. Needle Valve

Needle valves feature a slender, tapered point that allows fine control of flow rate. Used in instrumentation, sampling and hydraulic systems, they offer excellent precision but are limited to smaller pipe sizes and low-flow applications.

8. Diaphragm Valve

Flow is controlled by a flexible diaphragm pressed against a seat. These valves are corrosion-resistant and ideal for chemical, water treatment and pharmaceutical applications. They perform well with dirty or sterile fluids but are limited to moderate pressures.

9. Pinch Valve

A pinch valve compresses a rubber sleeve or tube to regulate flow. Ideal for slurries, abrasive fluids or solids in suspension, these valves provide minimal blockage and easy maintenance. They’re not typically used for high-pressure service.

10. Knife Gate Valve

Designed with a sharp-edged gate to cut through thick or abrasive media, knife gate valves are commonly used in pulp, mining and wastewater industries. They handle solids efficiently but are unsuitable for high-pressure or gas service.

11. Pressure Relief/Safety Valve

These valves automatically open when system pressure exceeds a set limit, preventing overpressure damage. Found in boilers, compressors and pressure vessels, they’re essential for safety but function only when the set threshold is reached.

12. Actuated/Control Valve

Control valves adjust flow automatically through electric, pneumatic or hydraulic actuators. Used in process automation for refineries, chemical plants and power generation, they enable precision control but come with higher cost and maintenance complexity.

13. Cryogenic Valve

Built for extreme low temperatures, cryogenic valves handle liquefied gases such as LNG or liquid nitrogen. They use extended bonnets and special alloys for insulation. Excellent for cold applications, but installation requires careful thermal planning.

14. Instrumentation or Block-and-Bleed Valve

Compact valve manifolds designed for isolation, calibration or pressure measurement lines. Common in metering, analyzer and gauge systems, they allow precise isolation of small-bore connections but have limited flow capacity.

15. Pressure-Reducing Valve

Automatically maintains downstream pressure at a preset value, regardless of upstream fluctuations. Used in steam lines, water supply systems and compressed air networks. Provides consistent output but requires periodic calibration and maintenance.

Summary Table – Valve Selection Snapshot

Material and Connection Considerations

Material selection directly affects valve performance and lifespan.

• Carbon steel suits general industrial use and high-pressure systems.

• Stainless steel resists corrosion in chemical and marine environments.

• Alloys and bronze handle high temperatures or specialized fluids.

End-connection types such as flanged, wafer, lug, threaded or butt-weld also influence installation, maintenance and sealing integrity. Selecting the right material and connection helps extend valve service life and prevent leaks.

Conclusion

Valves are the foundation of every industrial piping network, responsible for safe, efficient and controlled operation. Understanding the different types-along with their strengths and limitations-helps engineers and buyers make informed decisions that improve reliability and lower long-term costs.

Explore our collection of industrial valves to find high-quality options suitable for your plant or project requirements. Our range includes ball, gate, globe, butterfly and check valves, all designed to meet demanding industrial standards.