How to choose the best type of valve - Valve engineering | Eng-Tips

Hey,

I have a question to anyone who can answer me.
I need to choose a valvetype which fits the most in my application and why.
I have a compressor who delivers a constant flow. On the other side I have clients who use a variable flow but NEED a constant pressure. I need to place a valve in a bypass so I make sure the pressure remains constant. What type of valve would be the best AND WHY. Now I use a butterfly valve but the problem there is due to the caracteristic that if I open it for 50%, 70% of the flow is blown off.

Can anyone help me on this topic???

Thanks a lot You did not mention what kind of flow rate, or available presure drop you need for the valve. These are some of the main criteria for selecting the valve type. In most pressure control applications a globe valve with equal percentage trim is the best choice, unless a low pressure drop is required, or if flow is too great. There are also some pretty nice v-ball valves which would be an improvment over the butterfly you now have. These are ball valves with a v shaped notch which gives them near equal percentage performance. Check with your local Fisher rep. He will give you some good advice on valve selection.
Good Luck George Griggs
Sr Process Controls Engineer I was going to suggest a globe valve with a pressure regulator, then read the word compressor and realized you might have an air (or other gas) system. Also, it somewhat depends on the size of the line and how frequently the valve has to change position. Could you provide some more details? Patricia Lougheed Destroyer!

Pressure control valves of 'ConservAir' make are best for this application. The pressure fluctuation is very narrow and is 2 psi.(A general PRV will also work but pressure drop of those are very high.)

ConservAir make valves are a costlier. You can talk to Spirax Marshall even.

You have to install these valves in main line only and not in bypass line. (forget the bypass line untill there is a problem in the mainline valve).

Regards,

Is the m3/hr the flow rate from the compressor or the amount of air needed by the user or both? I'm not clear how physically this system looks. The other thing to consider in sizing and selecting a valve is the valve turndown, what is the maximum flow through the valve and what is the minimum flow through the valve and associated pressures (inlet and outlet) and temperatures.

If your customer needs a slipstream of air, you put a control valve in the line with a controller on the downstream pressure. As the customer takes more or less air, the control valve will bleed off sufficient air to keep the pressure constant. If you are regulating pressure with a control valve you still need the by-pass line. If you use just a control valve, it will restrict flow as the demand decreases and the pressure upstream of your valve can raise and can cause problems with your pump.
If you have a by-pass line installed, you can use a back pressure regulator in the by pass to see that the pressure in your line does not exceed what you need downstream. As the demand raises and takes more of the flow (lower pressure) the BPRV will close, as the demand lessens ( higer pressure) the BPRV will open to relive through the by-pass.
You may even be able to accomplish what you need with the BPRV all by itself. Butterfly valve can be configured for good control if some sensible installation considerations are made.
1. Match the Valve size to the particular conditions you will operate at most of the time.
2. If there are operating conditions's outside the valves control zone (20-70º open), add another valve piped in parallel to the original.
3. Select an actuator control that gives you the 'stiff' performance you require.

4. See our Website (undergoing development at present), for details about our 'closed loop control' actuator. It is electronic, with built in PID control, and high speed performance. The Emech ceramic disc valve offer cavitation resistance (no elastomer seats to wear out), and ANSI Cl. IV seal integrity (bubble tight) even in dirty fluids.

Contact me if you would like to discuss your applications in more detail.

Introduction

Before there were automated controls, managing the flow of water, steam, or gas was done by hand.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website LEFLOW.

Think back to the days of steam engines, those massive machines depended on steady pressure, and to keep that pressure in check, one small but powerful device played a key role and that was the globe control valve. It has been around since the industrial revolution, trusted to open, close, or regulate fluid flow with precision.

Now, even though technology has moved forward, globe valves have not become outdated, they have become essential.

You have probably used one without realizing it. That outdoor water tap you twist to control pressure? That is a globe control valve. And at the same time, globe valves are working to control complex flow systems in industries like power plants, oil and gas, petrochemicals, or building HVAC systems.

This blog is about understanding why globe valves are still trusted after more than 200 years. If you’re looking for the right globe valve supplier, understanding the full picture helps you make a proper choice. 

Because when it comes to flow control, reliability is essential!7

What are the Key Components of a Globe Valve?

The components of a globe valve include the stem, bonnet, plug, and body!

Source : Wikipedia 

1) Body

The body is the main pressure-containing structure of the valve and is the most easily identified as it forms the mass of the valve. It contains all of the valve’s internal parts that will come in contact with the substance being controlled by the valve.

2) Bonnet

The bonnet provides a leak-proof closure for the valve body. The threaded section of the stem goes through a hole with matching threads in the bonnet. Globe valves may have a screw-in, union, or bolted bonnet.

3) Plug Or Disc

The valve’s closure mechanism involves plugs that connect to a stem, which is adjusted either by sliding or screwing it up or down to regulate flow.

3) Stem

The stem connects the actuator to the inside of the valve and transmits this actuation force. Stems are either smooth for actuator-controlled valves or threaded for manual valves.

How Does a Globe Valve Work?

Source: Growmechnical

A globe control valve works by using globe valve parts, such as a movable plug or disc that presses down onto a seat to control flow. When you turn the handwheel, the stem moves the disc up or down. Lifting the disc allows fluid to pass through; lowering it blocks or reduces the flow. Its shape like a globe forces the fluid to change direction, which helps slow it down and gives you better control. 

Globe valve uses a disc (like a plug) to stop, allow, or control the flow of fluid.

1) Closed Position:

When the valve is closed, the disc is pressed tightly against the seat (the opening), so no fluid can pass through.

2) Opening the Valve:

Turning the handwheel counterclockwise lifts the disc off the seat. As the disc rises, fluid starts flowing.

3) Flow Control:

The higher the disc is, the more fluid can pass. The lower it sits, the less fluid flows. This makes globe control valves great for controlling flow, not just stopping or starting it.

4) Closing the Valve:

Turning the handwheel clockwise lowers the disc back onto the seat, blocking the flow again.

Types of Globe Valves

Not all globe valves are built the same. Their shape changes how they work, how much they resist flow, and how easy they are to maintain.

Technical Comparison of Globe Valve Types

Advantages of Globe Valves

Simple design makes them easy to manufacture, install, and maintain.

Short stem travel means quicker opening and closing times.

Provides reliable sealing for leak-proof performance.

Low wear on internal parts ensures long service life.

Allows precise flow control for throttling applications.

Operates safely under high-pressure or high-temperature conditions.

Easy to automate or control with actuators for remote operation.

Applications of Globe Valves

Globe valves are trusted across industries where precision flow control, isolation, and safety are important. Here’s how they deliver value in each sector:

1) Oil & Gas

Globe valves are essential in upstream and midstream oil operations. They regulate fluid flow, control pressure surges, and manage injection rates. They are often installed in test separators, flare systems, and flowlines.

2) Petrochemical

Refineries and petrochemical plants use globe valves in units that require steady, repeatable control, such as catalytic crackers, reboilers, or alkylation systems.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website Globe Control Valve.

Many fluids here are corrosive or volatile, and globe valves offer the controlled actuation needed to smooth process parameters without leaks or fluctuations.

3) Pulp & Paper

Pulp mill processes, from digesters to bleaching stages, rely on valves that can handle fibrous slurries, chemicals, and steam. Globe valves are often used to regulate steam flow, which affects pulp consistency and dryness. In bleaching lines, they control harsh chemicals like chlorine dioxide or peroxide.

4) Power Plants

From coal-fired, nuclear, or combined cycle plants, globe valves are integral to feedwater control, boiler management, and turbine steam regulation. These systems demand quick-acting, reliable valves to avoid dangerous overpressurization.

5) LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas)

Globe valves are often cryogenic-rated in LNG terminals and storage tanks, managing flow at temperatures below -150°C. They regulate gas transfer during liquefaction and vaporization, preventing vapour lock or sudden pressure spikes.

6) Chemical Processing

In chemical plants, flow conditions often change rapidly requiring valves that respond quickly, safely, and precisely. Globe valves control dosing chemicals into reactors, manage cooling water loops, and help avoid cross-contamination between process lines.

7) Pharmaceuticals

Pharmaceutical environments demand valves that meet cleanroom and sanitary standards. Globe valves are used for batch fluid regulation, sterilization-in-place (SIP), and water-for-injection (WFI) systems. They provide smooth control without fluid stagnation.

8) Space Research & Aerospace

Globe valves handle gases like helium or hydrogen, cooling fluids, and oxidizers in aerospace testing labs and launch systems. They provide critical control in systems where even milliseconds of delay or tiny pressure changes can affect outcomes.

9) Mining & Metals

Used in cooling water systems, steam lines, and chemical addition in ore processing, globe valves must withstand abrasive flows and dust-heavy atmospheres. Their ability to throttle flow without full actuation makes them ideal for frequent, low-maintenance operation.

10) Industrial Gases & Cryogenic Systems

These systems require valves that can precisely meter flow under extremely low temperatures and avoid freezing or cavitation. Globe control valves with vacuum or steam jackets are often used in oxygen, nitrogen, and argon lines.

11) Food & Beverage

Globe valves are used in steam injection, cleaning-in-place (CIP) lines, pasteurization, and flavour dosing in F&B processing. They must handle high temperatures and be easy to clean. Stainless-steel sanitary globe valves meet these needs with minimal dead zones.

12) Sugar Plants & Distilleries

These facilities rely on steam for boiling, condensing, and fermenting. Globe valves provide the control needed to maintain stable pressure in boilers and condensers, directly impacting product yield and energy usage.

How to Choose the Right Globe Valve?

1) Know Your Flow Requirement

Globe valves are ideal if your system requires frequent throttling or precise flow control. However, considering the flow rate and direction, standard globe valves cause a pressure drop, which may not suit high-flow systems unless designed accordingly.

Understand the Operating Pressure and Temperature

2) Understand the Operating Pressure and Temperature

Globe valves come in forged or cast bodies with different pressure classes. Make sure the valve can withstand your system’s maximum pressure and temperature range, especially in steam, LNG, or cryogenic applications.

3) Consider the Fluid Type

Globe valves come in forged or cast bodies with different pressure classes. Make sure the valve can withstand your system’s maximum pressure and temperature range, especially in steam, LNG, or cryogenic applications.

Consider the Fluid Type

4) Choose the Right Valve Type

Is your media corrosive, abrasive, viscous, or clean? This impacts both material selection (SS, brass, alloy) and internal trim design (hard-faced seats, Teflon seals, etc.)

Different globe valve types suit different installation and flow needs:

Z-type: Best for tight shut-off and general use

Y-type: Lower pressure drop, ideal for high-frequency throttling

Angle type: Compact and good for directional flow change

Cryogenic jacketed: Required for ultra-low temperatures

Jacketed (steam/oil): Keeps fluid from solidifying (e.g., wax, bitumen)

5) Actuation Method Matters

Consider this question: Should the valve be operated manually, pneumatically, or electrically? Choose actuation based on accessibility, speed of response, and system automation.

Maintenance and Service Access

6) Maintenance and Service Access

If downtime is costly, go for designs that are easy to dismantle and maintain. Bolted bonnets and top-entry designs simplify seat and disc inspection or replacement.

7) Check Standards and Certifications

Ensure the valve complies with API, ASME, BS, or ISO standards relevant to your industry. Pharma, LNG, food, and nuclear sectors have stricter design and testing norms.

FAQ’s

Conclusion

When it comes to globe valves, you need reliability, precision, and durability, and MASCOT Valves delivers all three. Leaks, pressure drops, and sudden shutdowns cost you time and money, and that is why you just do not need “GLOBE VALVE” you need the right one.

Our decades of expertise, careful and thorough testing, and commitment to quality ensure that every valve we produce is built to surpass its performance.

The company is the world’s best Diaphragm Valve supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.