If you want to use valves for steam systems, you must have adequate knowledge about different types of steam valves, their working principles and applications. The selection of steam valves is an important task, as steam valves come in various types, including steam radiator valves, steam safety valves and steam control valves.

For steam valve distributors and manufacturers, it is always beneficial to keep track of technological developments in the field of valve engineering. If you want to be a leading steam valve manufacturer or distributor, you can educate your workforce by enrolling employees in continuing education programs.

To educate your workforce about steam valves and relevant technology updates, you can:

1. Search for continual education programs about steam valve products
2. Search for online tutorials on steam valve products and relevant aspects, such as installation and maintenance
3. Read magazines that provide updates about the valve engineering industry
4. Join associations for valve manufacturing companies
5. Understand different standards associated with industrial steam valves

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Search for short duration continuing education programs about steam valve products

Some reputable steam valve manufacturers and training associations offer short duration courses that can educate working personnel about various components of steam systems, including steam valves.

I recommend: American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) offers a course on the fundamentals of steam system design. Swagelok Energy Advisors offers a similar course on steam system design that includes training on steam valves. You can also check out courses on boilers and steam turbine generators at Fossil Consulting Services.

Search for online tutorials and e-learning courses about steam valve products

Online tutorials and e-learning courses are a good alternative for training your workforce about various aspects of industrial steam valve products. Some reputable companies in the field of steam engineering provide e-learning material and online tutorials.

I recommend: Spirax Sarco, a leading company in the field of steam engineering, offers online steam engineering tutorials. Emerson Electric offers an e-learning course on valve fundamentals.

Subscribe to magazines that provide updates on industrial steam valve products

You can subscribe to magazines in the field of valve engineering to learn about the latest steam valve products and relevant technology.

I recommend: Valve World is an international magazine on valves and associated products. You can also look for technological updates in the field of valve engineering at Valve Magazine. HPAC Engineering is another magazine that provides updates on the design, operation and maintenance of non-residential boilers and boiler systems.

Learn about standards and codes related to industrial steam valves

If you are a steam valve manufacturer, you must know different standards and codes related to industrial valves. You can buy these codes from the organizations that establish the standards in the field of valve engineering.

I recommend: You can refer to different steam valve standards at the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME International) provides standards about various products, including industrial valves.

Steam valves are used to control the pressure and flow of steam. They are made from a variety of metals, such as aluminum, bronze, iron and steel. Steam valve manufacturers make a variety of steam valves, including angle valves, ball valves, bellows valves, butterfly valves, steam safety valves, cartridge valves and gate valves.

Whether you are looking for steam radiator valves, industrial steam valves or high pressure steam valves, you can choose a steam valve based on factors such as size, pressure rating, the number of ports and the connection type. Also, before purchasing a steam valve, ask yourself the following questions:

1. Do I need a large number of steam valves?

2. Do I have questions on steam valves that require good customer service?

3. Do I need a retailer that sells a large variety of steam valves?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get in touch with one of the large, global steam valve manufacturers

There is no shortage of companies that make steam valves and steam valve controls. In fact, often the hardest part of finding a steam valve manufacturer is deciding which one is best for you.

I recommend: China Deland Valves Manufacturing is one of the leading steam valve manufacturers in China. The company distributes discount steam valves worldwide. Alibaba is a company dedicated to bringing small- to medium-sized buyers together with manufacturers of products such as steam valves.

Contact one of the steam valve distributors that focuses on service

If you are basing your purchase on service not quantity, you may want to buy your steam valves from a steam valve distributor that is committed to the needs of its customer base.

I recommend: Conval is a family company that boasts that its valves are of a superior design, made with superior materials and crafted with superior workmanship. The company sells a variety of steam valves, including gate, bellows and ball valves. Magnatrol Valve Corporation has a valve selection system on its website that helps you find exactly the right type steam valve for your project.

Find a company with a wide selection of steam valves

Depending on your needs, it may be important to you to find a company that stocks a wide variety of steam valves, such as bellows valves, cartridge valves and butterfly valves.

I recommend: Leonard Powers is a distributor of products for plumbing and mechanical applications. The company offers steam radiator valves, steam control valves and other types of valves. Aquatrol sells a variety of valves, including steam air valves and steam safety valves.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Before purchasing from a steam valve distributor, be sure you know the company's policies. Some require a minimum order, some charge a restocking fee on returns, and some offer warranties on the products they sell.

A steam valve is an important component of a steam system. Steam valves come in different types and you must understand which type of steam valve best suits your application requirements. In addition, you will also need to know some technical language. A valve supplier might ask you about your requirement for flow coefficient (Cs) of the steam valve. This guide intends to introduce some of the steam valve key terms that you will hear from the professionals in the valve industry.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Control valve

As the name indicates, a control valve regulates the flow of fluid passing through the valve. Depending on the application requirements, a control valve can be mechanically operated, electrically operated or hydraulically operated.

I recommend: Emerson Electric, a supplier of industrial valves and accessories, has extensive information on control valves.

Ball valve

A ball valve is a valve with a spherical closure member. Although they are reliable, fixing ball valves is a time-consuming task. Generally, a metal ball valve is more durable than a plastic ball valve.

I recommend: Specialty Valve & Fitting, a supplier of valves, provides a definition of ball valves.

Butterfly valves

These valves are suitable for controlling the flow in a steam system. A butterfly valve has a circular disc or vane with its pivot axes at right angles to the direction of the steam flow. When rotated on a shaft, the circular disc seals against the seat in the valve body and restricts the steam flow.

I recommend: At Global Spec, you can read through basic information about butterfly valves.

Safety-relief valve

A safety-relief valve (sometimes referred to as a relief valve) is necessary for the safe operation of a steam system.

I recommend: Visit PDH Online for more information.

Gate valve

A gate valve has a gate that moves perpendicularly to the flow of the steam. Gate valves are an on/off type of valve.

I recommend: Crane Supply, a distributor of valves, fittings and piping accessories, provides a glossary for various key terms, including gate valves.

Solenoid valve

A solenoid valve is a control valve with a solenoid actuation mechanism. This actuation mechanism can be electric, electro-hydraulic, electro-pneumatic or pneumatic.

I recommend: Valve World, a magazine for the valve industry, provides a glossary for various key terms, such as solenoid valve. You can also read through the glossary at Shippensburg Pump Co., a supplier of parts for boiler steam systems.

Flow coefficient (Cs)

This term is also known as the steam-valve-sizing coefficient. At low operating pressures, there is a relationship between this coefficient and the gas-sizing coefficient.

I recommend: Fisher Controls, an Emerson group company, provides a glossary, including the definition of flow coefficient.