This article will show you the top 5 features that make control valves a critical aspect of the oil and gas industry, and why partnering with a dependable team like Williams Valve is essential for optimal performance and exceeding expectations.
What is a Control Valve?
Control valves in the oil and gas industry primarily regulate fluid flow by changing the flow passage. A controller can change the flow passage rate, which is where the name “control” valve originated. Control valves are the most important and most common final control element used in many industries today, meaning they are often the last effort to maintain hazardous variables within a plant.
1: Versatility and Adaptability in Industrial Plant Processes
Control valves for the oil and gas industry perform a multitude of major functions. They dictate flows, maintain pressure, regulate temperature, and can change the level of fluids from liquid to gas to slurries. Since 1918, Williams Valve has been proud to manufacture a variety of different types of valves out of our New York facility. The six main types of control valves for the oil and gas industry are:
- Globe Valves use linear motion of a plug to control the flow rate. These are specifically used to give ultra-precise control and are commonly sought out for processes requiring throttling systems.
- Diaphragm Valves have a flexible diaphragm that operates the closure function. What makes these valves unique is that they present an extra-tight shut-off capability, which is needed when the fluids are corrosive.
- Angle Valves are very similar to globe valves, except they are built with a 90-degree angle. These are used as a solution to change the direction of a flow while maintaining pressure.
- Butterfly Valves are manufactured with a rotating ball and a bore used to control the flow of fluid. They get their name from being very lightweight and compact. They stand out for their ability to function in low-pressure drops.
- Ball Valves also have a rotating ball and a bore that is used to control flow. These valves have extremely tight shut-off abilities and are best used in processes that require frequent and sharp on-off functions.
- Plug Valves use a plug that rotates within a passage to control flow. These valves can be used for both frequent on-off and throttling processes.
These are the primary plugs that plant technicians use to manufacture a variety of products for the oil and gas industry. However, there are still many other niche, specific types of valves for certain needs. You can find all of these at Williams Valve, and we are proud to manufacture all of our products in the United States.
Why Choosing the Right Valve for Natural Gas Processing Matters
As you now know, many different types of valves exist, and you can use them in many different ways. Valves in the oil and gas industry not only regulate the flow of gas, but they also control the pressure within the separators and scrubbers to help remove impurities that could lower the product’s quality.
Additionally, they also help manage the temperature of the gas through adjustment of the flow path by contracting and expanding with the product.
2: Improved Safety and Industrial Reliability with Control Valves
The oil and gas industry and the variety of processing plants that support it are unforgiving. In this industry, safety and dependability are an absolute necessity when choosing equipment for the job. One large safety concern that valves help prevent is over-pressurization. This can occur when the volume of gas within a system becomes too high and can result in anything from equipment damage to a major explosion.
Two types of safety valves are specifically designed as the final line of defense against over-pressurization. One is a safety relief valve, and one is a pressure safety valve. Understanding the critical value of these valves and investing in top-tier quality equipment like the valves we manufacture at Williams Valve could prevent an avoidable crisis from happening at your facility.
3: High-Pressure Valve Control Capabilities
Valves are specifically designed to give you control. Control valves for the oil and gas industry offer consistency, providing the accuracy and precision that is required when working with high-pressure, flammable, and sometimes toxic materials. Several design techniques can be utilized to allow for optimal control abilities:
- Material selection: By using high-strength alloys, such as stainless steel or forged steel, valves can withstand the high levels of internal pressure and force.
- Wall thickness: Increased wall thickness in control valves helps prevent leaking, which can eventually lead to costly repairs or dangerous malfunctions down the road.
- Trim design: Specialized trim design, like multi-stage, anti-cavitation, and anti-noise trims, can aid in managing pressure drops to prevent erosion even when fluids are at a high velocity.
Control valves must be able to perform under extreme pressure and can greatly impact the quality of your output and the safety of your facility.
4: Control Valve Integration with Flow Measurement Devices
In an industrial processing plant, every piece of equipment and every function needs to be working in exact unison at all times. Even the slightest mishap or failure can create a full-blown crisis. By using flow measurement devices along with your valves, you can enhance your equipment to a new level of precision.
Flow measurement is vital because it helps maintain optimal flow rate, which can greatly reduce things like overpressurization or overproduction. This can yield not only more energy efficiency and conservation of resources by detecting leaks, but it can also lead to lower operational costs.
5: Maintenance for Optimal Valve Longevity and Control
As with many industrial systems, preventative maintenance is a game-changing technique to help maintain your control valves for the oil and gas industry. This can include scheduled maintenance and calibration to catch reversible repairs before they turn into a more significant concern.
When you need a valve replacement, our team at Williams Valve is ready to help. We not only manufacture the specific valve you need, but we also keep a large stock of all main valve types. This means we can fulfill quick turnaround orders, helping you get your facility back to full output capacity in no time.
Control Valves: The Unseen Impact of Industry Success
These five aspects of control valves in the oil and gas industry show that these aren’t just one part of a processing plant; they are integral pieces of equipment that shape one of the largest industries in the world. They orchestrate your facility’s safety, longevity, and results, so investing in high-quality, American-made valves from Williams Valves is essential.
