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Valves are used to regulate and control the flow of a liquid in a system. While some valves are manually controlled, such as the one that turns your kitchen tap on and off, other larger industrial valves are controlled by an actuator. An Actuator is a machine that is used to automate the control of industrial valves, and they are used in such industrial settings as wastewater treatment plants, power plants, and refineries.
Actuators can be used to automatically control valves, such as the different programmed cycles on your washing machine, or can be set to remote control the operations of a centralized control room. Often, the valve is so large that manual control becomes impossible, and an automatic valve actuator is needed.
There are three different types of valve actuators: pneumatic, hydraulic and electric valve actuators.
Pneumatic Valve Actuators
A pneumatic actuator works by converting energy in the form of compressed air into motion which controls the valve. One of the advantages of this type of actuator is that they are usually a simple design and therefore relatively cost effective. However, a supply of compressed air is required for their use.
Hydraulic Valve Actuators
This type is similar to Pneumatic actuators, yet water or another fluid such as oil is used instead of air. Hydraulics is a very old source of power, and it has been used since the 6th millennium BC. However, Hydraulic actuators need a supply of liquid lines to function.
Electric Valve Actuators
Electric valve actuators are powered by an electric motor, and are able to handle larger valves than the other two because their power has no limits. Many large scale gate valves with high torque requirements are exclusively operated by electric valve actuators.
Of course, electric valve actuators have the disadvantage that they cease to function in a power failure. However, most electric valve actuators will have a hand wheel built in so that they can be operated manually in such a situation.
Electric valve actuators also have the advantage of being able to be programmed with computer technology to perform automated functions and processes. Electric valve actuators are able to monitor outside factors and adjust their behaviour according to controller parameters.
Electric actuators are able to be used in any climate condition around the world, and they are particularly important in situations where potentially explosive materials are being handled such as oil and gas. Their flameproof enclosure prevents ignition sparks from leaving the device.
Industrial sized or incredibly tiny, electric valve actuators are the most versatile and practical type of valve actuator available today.
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Excess of everything is bad. We need to have control over the things so that they do not exceed their limit. High amount of food or scarcity of food will surely ruined the health. Balance holds ultimate importance in life. Our body is also blessed with natural barriers taking care of each and every organs. The most important organ, heart has valves which direct the flow of blood and take care that it does not flow in reverse direction.
Men's intelligence has beautifully drawn the natural activities which take place in our body and are carefully implemented in our daily activities for ease and convenience. These equipments are outstanding creations which have fulfilled industrial demands and are proving excellent equipments due to their applications which are delivered by them.
Industrial valves or controllers are the devices which are used for regulating the flow of fluids such as gases, liquids or slurries. The direction of fluid in an open valve is from higher pressure to lower pressure. These are mechanical devices which are fabricated for variety of purposes including industrial, military, commercial, residential and transport.
Amongst various types, controllers have wide range of usage which include oil and gas, power generation, mining, chemical manufacturing, chemical manufacturing and water reticulation. They play big role in all these industries leading to development of nation.
Controllers are truly blessings for many commercial as well as domestic activities. Industrial valves are of various types such as Ball, Gate , Swing Check, Globe, Butterfly etc. Amongst various types, Ball adjusters are widely used having passage which give way to passing fluid. These types have single passage. Steel, high pressure and Stainless steel valves are the most common types.
Stainless steel valves are benefiting many industrial activities. Stainless steel is used as basic material making these equipments durable and reliable. Stainless steel is anti-resistive, anti-corrosive and also offer great resistance to chemical reactions. These controllers are available in different shapes and sizes. Valve manufacturers have well acknowledged the needs of many industries and their processes. Full fledged companies have enabled the discovery of versatile industrial valves.
Advance technology and skilled men have really boosted the manufacturing of valves. Valve manufacturers have equal and important role in developing many companies.
Controllers are the best way to control and are excellently taking care of various process. They may be disposable or may be very huge but are amazingly feeding their purpose of creations.
About the Author:
Author Bio
Ravi Doshi is well known writer of Valve manufacturers and industrial valves. He has write a many books and article on industrial valves, Valve manufacturering and Stainless steel valves.
Popular industrial valve types are
"Ball Valves
"Gate Valves
"Swing Check Valves
"Globe Valves
"Butterfly Valves.
Let's explain briefly about these valves.
Ball Valves
It's ball placed inside a passageway that gives way for passing of fluid. A most common ball valve is a two way valve. This valve has a single passage way. Three way valves are less used.
Other types of ball valves
"Stainless steel Ball Valves.
"Steel Ball Valves
"High pressure ball valves.
Gate Valves
Gate valves control the flow of fluid and they are used when there's a minimum flow needed. It is also known as a sluice valve because the part that either stops or allows flow through the valve acts somewhat like a gate. Gate valves normally have flanged ends which are drilled according to pipeline compatible flange dimensional standards.
Just like any other valves, Gate valve too have flanged ends in order to connect them to the pipelines. The valve can be made of stainless steel, gun metal , cast iron or cast carbon steel.
Globe Valves
Globe Valves are spherical in shape and so the name "Globe Valves'. However, the newer globe valves are not so much spherically shaped. Globe valves offer greater precision than other valves when it comes to regulating flow. Globe valves are used in applications where flow needs to be finely tuned. Globe valves have a plate with a hole in it, and a disk or plug completely or partially fits into the hole, slowing or stopping flow, according to Peco Valve.
Swing Check Valves
Swing check valves are less used when compared to other types of widely used valves namely Ball valves, Gate Valves and Globe Valves. Under reverse flow conditions the swing check is held firmly against the valve seat, preventing system losses.
Swing check valves are good for keeping the pump primed when the power is off. They prevent water from backflowing from the filter into the pond. They are available in many sizes and have different types.
Butterfly Valves
Butterfly valves are one of the widely used valve types. Butterfly valves consist of a circular plate with a rod through it's diameter. The name "butterfly valve' is bacause of the appearance of the valve.
A butterfly valve only rotates 90 degrees. This means it can turn from completely blocking the flow of whatever is in its pipe to letting through as much as is possible.There are different kinds of butterfly valves, each adapted for different pressures and different usage.
Other widely used Valves are Forged steel valves, Forged steel gate valves.
About the Author:
Source: Metflow - Ball Valves, Gate Valves, Globe Valves, Swing Check Valves, Butterfly Valves, Forged Steel Valves
Author: Santosh - WebDreams-Web Design Hubli, India.