Despite high levels of variation, most industrial valves can be broken down into the same basic components which are as follows

• Valve Body: The body, or enclosure of the valve, is often the largest component. Material flows through the body between the ports, and all other valve components connect to it. For example, a standard gate valve has three holes: the upstream port, where material flows into the body; the downstream port, where material leaves the body, and another hole on top to connect the bonnet and actuator. Of course, many valves have three or more ports as well, but the basic configuration is similar.

Depending on the type, size, and complexity of the valve, valve bodies may be comprised of a single piece or be fabricated from several separate pieces. Modern casting processes that make use of cores allow the addition of complex inner cavities. These processes, including shell mold casting, investment casting, and permanent mold casting, are often used for casting valves.

• Valve Bonnet: The valve bonnet isn’t necessary for every valve, but most standard industrial valves include this component. The bonnet attaches to the top of the valve body using either thread inside the valve body or bolts attached to flanges on both the body and the bonnet. The internal characteristics of the bonnet allow additional components to be attached, like the actuator and the valve member.

The bonnet often remains stationary while the valve is in use, but can be removed to service internal valve parts or to clear the body of obstructions. In some cases, the bonnet is combined with the body as a single part. Even if they are separate parts, the bonnet is often considered a characteristic of the overall enclosure. Without it, the material flowing through the valve would leak, and it would be impossible to actuate the valve.

• Valve Actuator: Actuators are, in a way, the most important valve component. They provide the ability to control flow; without that ability, a valve is only a channel or a container. Actuators can be as simple as a hand wheel or a handle, or as complex as a computerized, automated valve controller.

In a traditional globe valve, the operator turns the handwheel at the top of the valve, and the actuator moves the stem up and down along a threaded channel within the bonnet. As the stem moves up, it frees the valve member from the funnel-shaped seat and allows the material to flow through the valve body.

• Valve Trim: The removable and replaceable valve internal parts that come in contact with the flow medium are collectively termed as valve trim. These parts include valve seats, discs, glands, spacers, guides, bushings, and internal springs. The valve body, bonnet, packing, etc that also come in contact with the flow medium are not considered valve trim

Industrial Valves Working: How Do They Work?

In general, the body which is the first pressure boundary of a valve resists fluid pressure loads from connecting piping. It receives inlet and outlet piping through threaded, bolted, or welded joints. Trim then makes basic motions and flow control possible. Then the disc allows, throttles, or stops the flow, depending on its position. When the seat forms a seal with the disc to stop the flow, the valve stem provides the necessary movement to the disc for opening or closing the valve.

Top Industrial Valves Manufacturers

The ranking of industrial valve manufacturers is continually rising over the past years. These companies are catching up with the rapidly increasing demand within the country’s flourishing economy of industrial valves.

1. AVK Group

AVK manufactures industrial monitoring and control systems for discrete and process industries. AVK’s division for flow control, known as AVK Valves, is manufacturing industrial valve varieties for the following industries:

• Oil and gas,
• Water treatment,
• Paper and pulp,
• Steel,
• Chemical, and
• Power generation.

2. BEL Valves

BEL Valves is a UK-based manufacturer specializing in high integrity and high-pressure valves for oil and gas industries. The company caters to pressures reaching 16,500psi in depths of water up to 3,000 meters.

The British company’s clients include the biggest national and international companies around the world such as ExxonMobil, Chevron, Total, Shell, BP, and Saudi Aramco. What makes them unique from other industrial valve companies is that they manufacture the products in-house separate from the raw materials.

3. Cameron

Cameron embarks in industrial product manufacturing including compression, processing, pressure control, and flow control systems. Aside from these, the company also offers services for aftermarket support and project consulting for oil and gas industries. Cameron is among the world’s leaders in systems for flow control. Their products include valves and automation technologies for valves that are exploited in the oil and gas industries.

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