Many people might be surprised at the sheer number of different types of valves used on ships. Without the right type, a ship cannot operate efficiently. Whether it is valves used for internal piping or valves in the engine room to ensure efficient operation, valves used on ships play a vital role in ensuring that the ship runs smoothly.
Valves have many applications on ships, and many types have different uses. This guide will explain the types of valves used on ships and their respective functions.
Some Common Types of Valves on Ships
There are many types of valves used on ships, such as ball valves, butterfly valves, etc., and each valve has its unique purpose. But generally speaking, valves are used to control and regulate the flow of fluids on board to ensure optimal performance. Valves used on ships can also convey gases, steam, and mixtures, so their range of applications is very wide.
Valves are commonly used for the following purposes:
- Regulate the flow of fluids
- Relieve pressure
- Start/stop a process
- Increase/decrease flow
However, specifically, there are two main applications for different types of valves used on ships: ballast water degassing systems and ballast control. Ballast control refers to the process of loading and unloading seawater when a ship is anchored in a port. Ballast water keeps the ship stable when there is no cargo.
Ship ballast is the bottom of the ship that collects excess water. Valve and pump action pumps the accumulated water out of the container.
Marine valves are different from the basic valves used on land. Industrial valve manufacturers that supply marine valves ensure that these parts are made of materials that are resistant to corrosion and seawater.
Floating Ball Valve
How does it work?
A ball valve is an industrial valve that controls the flow of fluids by perforating a hollow ball. Globe valves, this type of valve, allow or stop the flow of fluids by adjusting a swivel ball with a cavity. Industrial valves can be operated manually or automatically.
The swivel ball rotates 90 degrees (also called a quarter turn) to allow or stop the flow of fluids. These valves are usually used as globe valves, but specially designed ball valves can also be used as control valves.
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Ball valves are favored in a wide range of applications due to their durability. These valves can resist a variety of media, including mixed media such as mud. Marine ball valves are made of corrosion-resistant materials to withstand seawater corrosion.
Floating ball valves are commonly used in marine systems to prevent leakage and ensure safe fluid transfer. They are available in various sizes, each suitable for different purposes.
Ball valves can withstand high pressures, making them suitable for controlling the flow of oil and gas. These industrial valves are lightweight and compact, making them ideal for marine applications. They are designed to operate long-lastingly and efficiently, even under high-pressure and temperature conditions.
Marine Butterfly Valve
How does it work?
Butterfly valves are simple in design and mainly used for shut-off functions. Due to their lack of proper sealing properties, they are not usually used to regulate the flow of any medium. In this artificial valve, a disc is connected to a rod, and this structure is called a “butterfly.”
Like ball valves, these industrial valves have a quarter-turn function by rotating the disc 90 degrees; the valve can be closed or opened. These valves can be operated manually or by electric actuators. The characteristic of butterfly valves is that their design prevents the flowing medium from coming into contact with the pipe body.
There are many types of butterfly valves, but the most popular ones are wafer and triple eccentric valves.
Butterfly valves are commonly used in three types of applications: constant load, throttling, and limited-space applications. They are small and lightweight and can be easily installed in tight corners, making them ideal for space-constrained environments.
Butterfly valves are suitable for handling fuel, lubricating oil, and other heavy media in marine applications. They are also used in fresh water, seawater, and chilled water systems. Butterfly valves are easy to install and maintain and have excellent sealing properties. They can be used to ensure smooth system operation and avoid backflow in the pipeline.
Butterfly valves are a good choice to ensure smooth system operation and avoid backflow in the pipes. They are also highly resistant to corrosion and ideal for marine applications.
Gate Valve
How does it work?
Gate valves are among the most common types of valves in water supply systems and are widely used for their effective isolation performance. They are also called slide valves, where the closing element slides inward to close or allow the medium to flow. A gate valve is a linear motion valve.
When a stop valve is required, a gate valve is a good choice. However, it should be noted that it cannot withstand high-pressure conditions. These valves also cause low pressure drops. When they are in the fully open position, they reduce the pressure drop across the valve.
Gate valves are the most common type of valve on ships. They are used in situations where switching services are required, and even better, they are used in situations where they are rarely used.
Gate valves come in many types, but the most common are rising stem gate valves and non-rising stem gate valve designs. Non-rising stem valves are small, take up less space, and are widely used on ships. These valves are usually located in the lower levels of the vessel or narrow vertical spaces.
The valve stem is raised or lowered depending on its function it actually acts like a gate. Depending on its position, the medium flows or stops. When working with slurries, gate valves are ideal as they can easily interrupt the flow.
Angle Ball Valve
How does it work?
If the system needs to regulate the flow of any medium, a ball valve is the ideal choice. A ball valve is a linear motion valve that can stop or open, effectively regulating the flow of the medium. These valves are spherical, and the ball valve body is divided into two halves by an internal diaphragm.
Also known as throttling valves, these valves use the vertical movement of the disc to regulate the movement of materials in the pipeline. While other valves, such as ball valves and butterfly valves, may not be ideal for regulating fluids, ball valves are perfect for this job.
The structure and function of ball valves can regulate the flow of materials in both directions within the pipeline. This type of valve is commonly used on faucets. In addition to manual control, these valves can also be controlled using electric and pneumatic actuators, especially in large-scale applications.
The movable disc and fixed ring seat in the ball valve can regulate the flow of materials through the container pipeline. Since these valves can cope with changing pressure conditions, they are used in emergency wastewater treatment sections.
Another dynamic application of this valve is to prevent material backflow. A solenoid check valve is a stop valve specifically designed for this function.
These valves have a long service life and are ideal for marine applications. A ball valve with a specific design can achieve more precise media control.
Industrial check valves
How does it work?
The main purpose of a check valve is to prevent backflow. These valves allow fluid to flow in one direction only and operate using pressure differences. The valve design is very simple; it is a small cylinder with two ports, which serve as the inlet and outlet. Check valves are often referred to as “non-returned valves.”
The working mechanism of the valve varies depending on the type. A basic check valve allows fluid flow when the pressure on the inlet side is higher. These valves do not require a control mechanism, either mechanical or automatic. They are useful in any situation where there may be problems due to rebound. There are many types of check valves; the most common ones are swing check valves, lift check valves, and ball check valves.
In the marine industry, check valves are used in many areas, including desalination, hydraulic systems, and fuel handling. As a common type of valve on board ships, they can also be used in complex and critical environments.
Since a check valve’s main function is to prevent backflow, it is very useful on board ships. Whether it is to block the entry of contaminated media or act as a vacuum regulator, the check valve can effectively do its job. Installation is also simple due to its compact design and low maintenance.
Conclusion
Valves play a vital role in any system that involves the transfer of different media. This confirms why industrial valves are crucial for any ship. The functions of the different types of valves used on ships vary, but each valve is important for the proper functioning of the ship. In addition, marine valves must be manufactured according to different protocols as they have to withstand greater corrosion.
