Valve Selection Guide

The suitability of a valve for a particular application is decided by the materials used in relation to the conveyed fluid as well as its mechanical design. The table below can be used as a valve selection guide.

Conveyed Fluid Nature of Fluid Valve Function Type of Disc
Liquid Neutral 
(Water, Oil, etc)
On/Off Gate
Rotary ball
Plug
Diaphragm
Butterfly
Plug gate
Control valve, modulating Globe
Butterfly
Plug gate
Diaphragm
Needle
Corrosive 
(Acid, alkaline etc.)
On/Off Gate
Plug gate
Rotary ball
Plug
Diaphragm
Butterfly
Control valve, modulating Globe
Diaphragm
Butterfly
Plug gate
Hygienic
(Food, beverages, drugs etc)
On/Off Butterfly
Diaphragm
Control valve, modulating Butterfly
Diaphragm
Squeeze
Pinch
Slurry On/Off Rotary ball
Butterfly
Diaphragm
Plug
Pinch
Squeeze
Control valve, modulating Butterfly
Diaphragm
Squeeze
Pinch
Gate
Fibrous Suspensions On/Off,
Control valve, modulating
Gate
Diaphragm
Squeeze
Pinch
Gas Neutral 
(Air, Steam etc)
On/Off Gate
Globe
Rotary ball
Plug
Diaphragm
Control valve, modulating Globe
Needle
Butterfly
Diaphragm
Gate
Corrosive 
(Acid vapors, chlorine etc.)
On/Off Butterfly
Rotary ball
Diaphragm
Plug
Control valve, modulating Butterfly
Globe
Needle
Diaphragm
Vacuum On/Off Gate
Globe
Rotary ball
Butterfly
Solids Abrasive Powder 
(Silica, etc)
On/Off,
Control valve, modulating
Pinch
Squeeze
Spiral sock
Lubricating powder (graphite, talcum, etc On/Off,
Control valve, modulating
Pinch
Gate
Spiral sock
Squeeze

 

Resource : By Laurance Carr Director of Research and Engineering Edward Valves, Inc. Subsidiary of Rockwell Mfg Co.