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The "Plug" in a Plug Valve Courtesy Fluoroseal Inc. |
Plug valves are similar to ball and butterfly valves, with their rotational movement of 90 degrees from the fully open to the closed positions. The “plug” in a plug valve is installed in the flow path within the valve body and rotated by means of a stem extending to the exterior of the body. Plugs are often tapered toward the bottom and are fitted to a seating surface in the valve body cavity. An opening through the plug, the port, can be shaped to provide particular flow characteristics. There are numerous variants of the basic plug valve which may make it suitable for particular applications. One common variant is the lined plug valve, with an interior lining of material suited to provide a measure of corrosion resistance for special media applications.
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Industrial Plug Valve With Manual Operation Handle Courtesy DHV Industires |
- 90 degree rotation from open to closed provides fast operation.
- With proper configuration, can be well suited for frequent operation.
- Availability of corrosion resistant liner may provide comparative cost savings because valve body can be constructed of less expensive material.
- Design is simple and employs a low parts count.
- Valve can be serviced in place.
- Generally, low resistance to flow when fully open.
- Reliable leak-tight service due to tapered plug wedging action, replaceable sleeve, and injection of lubricant in some variants.
What are some potential negatives for plug valves?
- Higher friction in the closure mechanism may require comparatively higher operating torque than other valve types.
- Generally not well suited for throttling applications without special design modifications.
- Rapid shutoff may not be suitable for some applications where hammering may occur.
As part of your own assessment and selection process, share your application requirements and concerns with an experienced sales engineer. Their product knowledge and application experience can provide the additional input needed to make the best choice for your project.