In industrial fluid systems, valve selection directly affects equipment efficiency, safety and operating costs. Faced with diverse valve types and complex working conditions, how to quickly lock in the optimal solution? Based on decades of industry experience and technical accumulation, OneTree will sort out key selection factors and practical strategies for you to help you avoid risks and improve project benefits.
I. Core elements of valve selection: 5 key issues
Medium characteristics: fluid type (gas, liquid, slurry), temperature, pressure, corrosiveness, viscosity and whether it contains particulate matter;
Working condition requirements: flow control accuracy, opening and closing frequency, sealing level (such as zero Leakage requirements), allowable pressure loss range;
Installation environment: space restrictions, temperature fluctuations, vibration levels, explosion-proof or anti-corrosion requirements;
Compliance standards: industry certification (API, ISO, CE), environmental regulations (such as lead-free requirements);
Full-cycle cost: procurement budget, maintenance convenience, expected life and energy consumption cost.
Example: A chemical plant needs to transport high-temperature media containing chlorine and alkali (150℃, PN40), and the valve is required to be corrosion-resistant and support frequent adjustment. Based on the above factors, fluorine-lined stop valves (corrosion resistance + precise flow control) or high-performance butterfly valves (fast opening and closing + economy) are recommended.
II. Comparison of mainstream valve types: advantages and disadvantages and applicable scenarios
| Valve type | Core advantages | Limitations | Recommended scenarios |
| Ball valve | Full bore, low flow resistance, fast opening and closing | Seals are prone to wear under high pressure | LNG storage and transportation, slurry transportation, fast shut-off |
| Butterfly valve | Lightweight, low cost, good adjustment performance | Weak sealing at high pressure and high temperature | Water supply and drainage, ventilation system, large pipe diameter |
| Gate valve | Resistant to high pressure and high temperature, low leakage | Slow opening and closing, large volume | Oil pipeline, steam system |
| Stop valve | Precise flow regulation, high sealing | Large pressure loss, unidirectional flow | Chemical reactor, precision control system |
| Check valve | Automatic backflow prevention, no external control required | Unable to adjust flow | Pump outlet, prevent water hammer effect |
| Plug valve | Wear-resistant, multi-channel design | Large operating torque | Mining slurry diversion, multi-directional control |
III. Practical case analysis: How selection affects project success or failure
Case 1: Oil pipeline system – high-pressure ball valve vs Gate valve
Requirement: A certain onshore oil pipeline needs to achieve full open/close control under PN100 pressure, and the number of opening and closing times per year is less than 50 times.
Comparative analysis:
Ball valve: Full-bore design reduces pressure loss, but long-term high-pressure static seal may fail;
Gate valve: Wedge-shaped sealing structure is more suitable for high-pressure steady-state conditions and has lower maintenance costs.
Decision: Use hard-sealed gate valve, which has no leakage in 3 years of operation, saving more than 800,000 yuan in replacement costs.
Case 2: Food and pharmaceutical industry – sanitary butterfly valve vs diaphragm valve
Requirement: Aseptic filling lines require valves with zero dead angles and easy cleaning, and the medium is a high-purity liquid (pH=2-10).
Comparative analysis:
Butterfly valve: Low cost, but the edge of the valve plate is prone to residual medium;
Diaphragm valve: The flow channel is smooth and has no retention, but the pressure resistance is only PN16.
Decision: Use sanitary three-eccentric butterfly valve, valve body electrolytic polishing + EPDM sealing ring, pass 3A certification, and meet the balance between cleanliness and budget.
IV. Common Misunderstandings and Pitfall Avoidance Guide for Model Selection
Misunderstanding: Blindly pursuing low prices, ignoring life and maintenance costs.
Suggestion: Calculate TCO (total cost of ownership). For example, the purchase price of a butterfly valve is 30% lower, but the annual maintenance fee is 2 times higher, which will increase costs in the long run.
Misunderstanding: Selecting only by pipe diameter, ignoring medium characteristics.
Suggestion: For slurries containing particles, V-type ball valves or plug valves are preferred to avoid gate valve jams.
Misunderstanding: Ignoring the installation direction.
Suggestion: Stop valves and check valves must be installed strictly according to the flow direction, and butterfly valves must reserve space for valve plate rotation.
V. OneTree selection support: full-process empowerment from theory to implementation
Smart selection tool: visit the official website to enter the working parameters, and get the recommended models and technical documents with one click;
Expert consultation: provide free 1-on-1 engineer support, issue selection reports and 3D simulation demonstrations;
Sample testing: you can apply for valve samples, verify the performance on site, and then purchase in batches;
Training service: regularly hold “valve operation and maintenance master classes” to enhance the professional capabilities of the customer team.
Take action now to get exclusive selection solutions!
www.joinonetree.com | Customer service hotline: 86 13353715063| Email: sales@joinonetree.com
OneTree Company – Make every valve work to its full potential and escort your system efficiency!