Why Valves Are an Integral Part of Industrial Plumbing Systems

Category: Business

While talking about the general industrial plumbing system design, very often fittings and pipes are the two aspects that get primary importance. Selection of valves is done much later after all decisions related to the characteristics of pipe and fitting materials are finalized. But this is a big mistake as there are numerous types of valves such as ball valves, globe valves, butterfly valves, gate valves, and more to choose from. Only reliable pipe valve and fittings suppliers will tell you that valves are a significant part of the plumbing system and hence deserve extra attention. What All Functions Do Valves Perform ? Valves stop, restrict, or control the flow of fluid through a piping system. To be more specific, they perform all the below-mentioned functions: ● They regulate the temperature by controlling the water cooling rate through cooling lines. ● They manage the flow of concentrated bases or acids through a line. ● They redirect flow from one line to another at a three-way valve. ● They restrict flow for system balance. ● They prevent reverse flow through check valves. ● In case of system failure, valves can automatically stop the flow. How Valves Affect Industrial Plumbing Systems 1. Susceptibility to Corrosion Acidic or caustic solutions can erode the longevity of an industrial piping system by corroding it. Corrosion can cause many system issues leading to premature repairs, expensive downtime, and sometimes even thorough replacement. Corrosion deposits debris making it difficult for valves to move, resulting in an inefficient system and future safety hazards in event of a system failure. To optimize the life of a plumbing system, you must opt for corrosion-resistant valves. 2. Loss of Pressure To limit energy consumption and increase efficiency, industrial plants prefer a valve with a higher flow coefficient. The flow coefficient is used to calculate pressure drop when a valve is fully open. Flow coefficient and pressure loss are inversely proportional to each other, so the greater the flow coefficient of the valve, the lesser is the drop in pressure. Valves made using thermoplastics cause lower pressure loss than those made of metals, hence they are more viable. A pipe fittings manufacturer must provide valve flow coefficients for all products. 3. Weight of the System and Stress Each component of an industrial plumbing system including valves increases stress on the pipe. The greater the stress on the system, the more are the chances of leaks, breaks, joint failure, and misalignment. It is necessary to keep the following points in mind while using valves: ● Every valve increases the total amount of stress on the piping system. ● If the valve is heavy, it may require support. ● Thermoplastic valves are usually lighter than metal valves. To conclude, valves are an integral part of the plumbing system because any system is only as strong as its weakest link. Aquatec India offers a wide variety of valves and fittings that are made using the finest technologies and with strict adherence to quality standards, making them one of the best names in the plumbing and sanitary industry.