Valves Key Terms

Brush up on your knowledge of industrial valves key terms
By D. Johnston Control valve vendors, manufacturers, buyers and regulatory organizations have a professional shorthand they use when talking about their field. As a business owner either looking to enter the industry or simply trying to increase your exposure to the world of industrial valves to improve your business approach, you can use this guide to reinforce your knowledge of the language of valves.
 

Perhaps you want to build or update your entire system. Or maybe you just want to be more clear and concise the next time you order your custom valves. Whatever the case, look into the categories here and improve your valve vocabulary:

1. Improve your knowledge of valve types.

2. Know your valve parts for dealing with your valve manufacturer.

3. Remember the important acronyms and abbreviations for your field.

Get to know industrial valve systems terminology and valve types

One of the primary aspects of industrial valve systems you should be familiar with is the kinds of valves and their operational terms. There are two main types: stop and check valves. Under these categories are the more specific types, like ball, gate, globe, butterfly, plug and needle valves. Several of these can be of either the 2-way or 3-way variety, depending on the number of ports. Also, know the cut-off amounts and the turn fractions - such as half-turn or quarter-turn - of your valves.
Try: Familiarize yourself with industrial valves key terms for valve types and related information by checking out the Valve Directory, Midwest BAS and chemBlink. The Directory and Midwest have detailed definitions of the primary kinds of valve systems along with operational terms; chemBlink has a list of valves through which you can view pictures of the various types.

Know your industrial valving components for a more efficient business approach

One of the main components of any valve is the actuator - the device that operates the opening and closing of the valve. An actuator can be controlled by hydraulic, electric or pneumatic means. Other components include the body, plug, disc and guide of a valve. You should also be familiar with some of the connectors for valves, such as gaskets and flanges.
Try: Educate yourself on the basic industrial valve systems and parts by perusing the list of terms at The Valve Shop; you'll find definitions of parts as well as manufacturing terms and weld types. You can also check out an article from Honeywell that covers more terms and contains descriptions of valve ratings, materials and applications.

Get some knowledge of the shorthand of valve manufacturers and organizations

Efficient business operation sometimes means creating or being knowledgeable about a sort of shorthand; the abbreviations and acronyms related to your field. With the valve industry, these include shortening the names of materials, both for the construction of valves and the fluids they help control. It's also a good idea to know the various industry organizations and oversight bodies, like manufacturing, water and chemical regulatory groups.
Try: Get help knowing the acronynms and abbreviations for industrial valve system terminology - and the organizations associated with valve manufacturers and the field in general - by looking at lists and definitions available at PlastOMatic and Valves International. You can also find material characteristics at the latter.

• Depending on the industry you're entering or dealing with, some of the information in this guide will be more useful than the rest. Focus on the valves key terms that apply to your business and find out all you can about those areas, especially when it comes to material handling and regulatory oversight.