Valve Basics
A valve is a device used to control the flow of fluid through a pipeline. The fluid can be a gas, liquid, or slurry, which is a mixture of liquid and suspended solids. To keep fluids flowing smoothing and processes operating correctly, it is important to understand how valves operate. In this course, we will discuss common valve parts and materials and different types of valves, their purpose, and how they function.





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Course Details
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Identify the basic parts of a valve
- List valve functions
- Define key valve terms
- List common valve materials
- Describe how valves are classified
Specs
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a valve designed to do?
What are valves made of?
What is a face-to-face dimension?
What are some common types of valve connections?
How is pipe pressure measured?
Sample Video Transcript
Throttling valves are used to regulate the amount of fluid that passes through the valve. Like an on/off valve, a throttling valve can be fully open to allow maximum flow or fully closed to stop flow. But a throttling valve can also be partially open to let some of the fluid pass through. Throttling valves can be used to control downstream conditions including the flow rate, pressure, or temperature.
Additional Resources
- Valve Manufacturers Association of America – www.vma.org
- VMA Common Valve Types – www.vma.org/?CommonValveTypes
- Werner Solken Explore the World of Piping – www.wermac.org
- Introduction to Valves http://www.wermac.org/valves/valves_general.html
- United Valve – www.unitedvalve.com
- United Valve – Valve Standards – http://unitedvalve.com/industry-information/valve-standards/