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University of Zakho
College of Engineering
Petroleum Engineering Department
3rd Stage – Semester 5
Valves
Lecturer:
Dara Samyan Hayhat
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Valves
A valve is a device that regulates, directs or controls the flow of a
fluid (gases, liquids, or slurries) by opening, closing, or partially
obstructing various passageways. In an open valve, fluid flows in a
direction from higher pressure to lower pressure.
Type of valves:
• Gate valve
• Ball valve
• Globe valve
• Check valve
• Pressure relief and safety valve
• Butterfly valve
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1- Gate valve
Gate valves are widely used for all types of applications and are
suitable for both underground and surface installation.
Gate valves are designed to operate fully open or fully
closed. Because they operate slowly they prevent fluid
hammer.
They are installed in pipelines as isolating valves, and should
not be used as control or regulating valves.
Gate valves are often used when minimum pressure loss is
needed. When fully open, a typical gate valve has no obstruction
in the flow path resulting in a very low pressure loss.
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Advantages of gate valve
• Minimal pressure drop when fully open due to unrestricted
flow path.
• Suitable for isolating services.
Disadvantages of gate valve
• Not recommended for throttling due to uneven flow, which
may cause vibration and damage.
• Slow opening and closing times.
Applications: Common in pipelines where minimal restriction is
critical (e.g., oil and gas flowlines).
2- Ball valve
Ball valve is a form of quarter turn valve which uses a hollow,
perforated and pivoting ball to control flow through it. It is open
when the ball's hole is in line with the flow and closed when it is
pivoted 90 degrees by the valve handle.
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Advantages of ball valve
• Quick to open and close, typically with a 90-degree turn.
• Excellent sealing capabilities, providing a tight seal with
minimal leakage.
Disadvantages of ball valve
• Not suitable for precise throttling, though certain designs like
V-notch balls offer partial control.
Applications: Commonly used in both high- and low-pressure
applications for on/off services (e.g., water injection, gas
systems).
3- Globe valve
A globe valve , different from ball valve , is a type of valve used
for regulating flow in a pipeline, consisting of a movable disk type
element and a stationary ring seat in a generally spherical body.
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Advantages of Globe valve
• Good for controlling flow rate, making them suitable for
throttling.
Disadvantages of Globe valve
• High pressure drop due to the tortuous flow path.
Applications: Frequently used in process control settings where
flow rate adjustment is necessary (e.g., steam, gas flow control in
separators).
4- Check valve
Check valves only allow flow in one direction, automatically
preventing backflow.
Types:
• Swing Check Valve: Has a swinging disc that closes against the
seat.
• Lift Check Valve: Has a piston or ball that lifts to allow flow
and falls to prevent backflow.
Swing check valve Lift check valve
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Advantages of check valves
• Check valves automatically prevent reverse flow, protecting pumps,
compressors, and other equipment from potential damage caused by
backflow.
• They are self actuated and require no external means to actuate the
valve either to open or close.
Disadvantages of check valves
• Since all moving parts are enclosed, it is difficult to determine
whether the valve is open or closed. Furthermore, the condition of
internal parts cannot be assessed.
5- Pressure Relief and Safety Valves
Automatically release fluid when pressure exceeds a set limit, protecting
pipelines and equipment.
Advantages
• Essential for preventing overpressure and catastrophic failures.
Applications: Installed on high-pressure vessels, boilers, and other
pressurized systems, as mandated by industry standards.
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6- Butterfly valve
Butterfly valves consist of a rotating disc within the valve body, which
can be positioned to allow or restrict flow.
Advantages of butterfly valve
• Lightweight, compact, and easy to operate.
• Cost-effective, especially for large-diameter pipes.
Disadvantages of butterfly valve
• Limited sealing compared to ball or gate valves.
Applications: Often used in low-pressure or large-diameter applications,
such as cooling water or air handling systems.
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