Shop Valves for Sale

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Valves

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Valves Used in Industrial, Commercial, and Plumbing Applications

Valves used for Industrial, Commercial, and Plumbing applications are integral parts of a greater whole. Since the days of the Romans, who first designed and fabricated working, bronze 2-way valves to control water flow and pressure, they have been eternally evolving to function in a wide variety of innumerable applications, and meet the greater, and constantly more challenging demands of the modern world. Without valves, as you know them today, none of our industries or conveniences would be possible.

In order to get a better scope of just how important valves--in their various applications--are, it's necessary to review several types in detail. Each of the following valves has a specific purpose., and many of them perform similar functions. Some of them are more common than others for one purpose or another; for example, a shut-off valve meant for plumbing would not be particularly useful for the majority of industrial applications. And this is true for most valves and their associated applications.

Check Valves

Put simply, a check valve prevents backflow, an unwanted travel of fluid through the valve in the wrong direction. A typical check valve is a simple two port valve which allows fluid to enter from one port, and exit through the other. A check valve does this without the aid of an outside force--it works independently. A check valve operates under cracking pressure. This is the amount of pressure--created by the incoming fluid--needed to move the plug to an "open" position inside the valve, allowing forward movement. When the amount of pressure lessens, the plug moves to the "closed" position. It will also do this in the event of backflow. Check valves are commonly found in pools, HVAC and refrigeration, and plumbing applications. Many check valves incorporate a "free floating" ball as a plug, but this is not to be confused with a ball valve.

Ball Valves

In a "ball valve," travel between the inlet and outlet ports of a valve is controlled by the position of the "ball," due to the bore drilled through it. When "open," the bore is in-line with the inlet and outlet ports; and "closed" when it is not. The advantage is in its superior seal, making it an extremely versatile valve compatible with any number of fluids, gases, and chemicals. Ball valves can be seen in Industrial, Commercial, and Plumbing applications. Its unique design lends itself well to specialized shut-off valves, such as the 3-way valve.

3-Way Valve

In the case of a 3 way valve which is simply a directional valve, the ball valve demonstrates its flexibility. Its purpose is to stop the travel of fluid to one port, while allowing travel through another. 3-way ball valves are available in two configurations: 1) the "L"-port 3-way valve is so named because of the bore shape within the ball. Either outlet port can be closed while opening the other two). In the case of the "T"-port 3-way valve, 2 outlets may be opened simultaneously. The 3-way valve can be employed as a diverting or a mixing valve. It can be seen being used everywhere from HVAC units, farm equipment, and in countless manufacturing applications. Most often it is automated.

Solenoid and Electric Ball Valves

A solenoid valve is an electromechanical valve. It functions via an electromechanical source: electricity powers the solenoid, which opens or closes ports in the valve. An electric ball valve is a type of solenoid valve which utilizes a ball as a plug or gate. Actuation (automation) is powered by electricity, opening, closing, or re-directing (as in a 3-way electric ball valve). Solenoid actuated valves sometimes utilize and/or incorporate pneumatics. Butterfly, ball, and gate valves, as well as diaphragm valves, may all be actuated with a solenoid. This automation allows for automatic sequencing in--particularly--manufacturing and packaging industries, and cuts labor costs while ensuring product quality. Solenoid and electric ball valves may serve numerous functions in a variety of configurations and applications.

Backflow Preventers

Like a simple check valve, a "backflow preventer" chief purpose is to do just that: prevent backflow. However, a backflow preventer is a bit more complicated, and is actually specialized to prevent backflow and backsiphonage and backpressure within cross connections and reduced pressure zones where water from the same source may serve several purposes. Its typical application will be for potable water and plumbing within large industrial or commercial complexes, and in residential areas supplied by a city's water treatment facility. This same water supplies fire hydrants, which can create a considerable drop in water pressure when used. It is during this time that a backflow preventer works to keep drinking water safe.

Industry, Commerce, and Plumbing

All of the above mentioned valves may be found in any of these three--Industry, Commerce, and Plumbing. While some are more practical than others for each field, they all share one thing in common: each and every valve, regardless of its configuration, actuation, or specified application, directs the flow of water, gas, steam, and any number of fluids or other materials through a pipeline. All three fields--industry, commerce, plumbing--incorporate one or more pipelines to move water or product. And every pipeline utilizes valves.

• Industrial - The widest variety of valves and valve applications is quite easily seen in the field of industry. Oil, gas, and chemical manufacturers all rely on complex, and often immense, pipelines systems. Manufacturing companies and plants may depend on water supplies as part of their process; packaging companies often utilize air controlled by pneumatic solenoid valves to move products; Pharmaceutical manufacturers may utilize several types of pipelines, etc. The list is practically endless. All of these piping systems rely on valves.
• Commerce - When one thinks of commerce, he typically thinks of profit. This profit is normally gained through investment--it takes money to make money. The buying and selling of goods on a large scale will include everything from 5 star hotels to agriculture. I.e., it is paramount for a luxury hotel to provide adequate water pressure for showers and toilets and pools and spas, while agriculture must have the ability to irrigate and apply pesticides over vast amounts of land. None of this would be possible without valves.
• Plumbing - Everybody needs clean, safe potable water. From the simplest home to the most massive manufacturing plants, almost every building inhabited by humans includes plumbing,either for health, hygiene, or industrial purposes. Like any other gas, fluid, or piped material, water depends on a variety of valves to move it safely.

Valves For Industrial, Commercial, and Plumbing Applications, and Where to Buy Them

Without valves of any kind, the live of everyone on the planet would be adversely affected. If you are seeking to buy valves for any application, purchase them from the valve experts at the valve store ValveMan.com. We're not quite as old as the Romans, but we have been in the industrial grade valve business for over 50 years. We know all about valves and their three most common fields of application. That's because all we sell are valves. It's simply what we do, and we do it better than anyone else.

Valves For Industrial, Commercial, and Plumbing Applications, and Where to Buy Them

Without valves of any kind, the live of everyone on the planet would be adversely affected. If you are seeking to buy valves in the United States for any application, purchase them from the valve experts at the valve store ValveMan.com. We're not quite as old as the Romans, but we have been in the industrial grade valve business for over 50 years. We know all about valves and their three most common fields of application. That's because all we sell are valves. It's simply what we do, and we do it better than anyone else.

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