You may not have realized how many different types of air valves get used today. Many people don’t know it, but we have over 2 million miles of pipeline in the U.S.! Air valves are critical to any pipeline system.
Industrial valves control the airflow in a pipeline. Keep on reading to learn more about the different types of air valves that exist today.
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Air Release Valves to Reduce Pressure
When the air gets pressurized in pipelines, it can get trapped. That can make the pressure flow unstable and cause a downstream effect of problems.
When air builds up in the pipeline, it can create pressure surges and corrosion. It can also add stress to the different parts of the pipeline system. The air release valves remove the trapped air, keeping things stable.
Industrial Valves
Industrial valves get used for regulating gases and liquids. They also control the flow by opening and closing the pipe. Sometimes they may get used to obstruct the flow to slow it down.
These types of valves can support heavy pressures. They get used in commercial construction because of their durability. Ball valves, vacuum valves, and check valves are examples of types of industrial valves used.
Ball Valves
Ball valves get their name because of their circular shape. They have a ball-shaped seating element.
These valves get used when quick action in the pipeline is a priority. They function by opening and closing valves at the same time. The hollow ball gets used to control liquid flow.
Vacuum Valves
These valves get called vacuum valves because they take in air, as well as release it. Vacuum valves are crucial in a pipeline because they keep it from collapsing. They maintain the correct amount of pressure in the system.
Since these are industrial valves, you will see them in manufacturing factories. They also get used in nuclear plants where stabilization is imperative.
Combination Types of Air Valves
These valves combine vacuum valves and air release valves so two jobs can get done with one valve. They can release built-up air while bringing in large amounts of it at the same time. By doing this, pressures stay stabilized in the pipeline.
Check Valves
Check valves let air flow one way. These get needed to keep airflow from backing up and building up too much pressure. These can get used in domestic settings as well as get used as industrial valves.
Butterfly Air Valves
These types of air valves have plates that block airflow. They get used when a pipe needs to make a steady but quick transfer from opened to closed. These are some of the best valves to use when volume control is critical.
The Best Air Valve
There are many types of air valves, so the best one depends on the job at hand. These valves will work to do various tasks. Choosing the best air valve is not a one size fits all measure.
Now that you know what the main air valves do, you can pick the right one for your job. Be sure to check out the rest of our site for more guides like this one!
