API Valve Standards Defined and Explained

API SPEC 6D Specification for Pipeline Valves. API Specification 6D is an adoption of ISO 14313: 1999, Petroleum and Natural Gas Industries-Pipeline Transportation Systems-Pipeline Valves. This International Standard specifies requirements and gives recommendations for the design, manufacturing, testing and documentation of ball, check, gate and plug valves for application in pipeline systems. API 600 Bolted…

Read More

What is a valve and how did it originate?

We all know that valves are present in our everyday lives, but valves work a lot “behind the scenes”—controlling what might seem like the “uncontrollable”.  Without valves, we would have engineering issues on how to regulate and control steam, water, air, corrosive liquids, gases and other materials. You can already see WHY valves are important, but WHERE did…

Read More

Plug Valve: What is a plug valve?

If you are in the valve world at all, you know that the plug valve oftentimes gets a bad rap. There are different reasons for this. One being that the maintenance for these valves is greater than that of other valves. They need to be lubricated while out in the field and more times than not, this…

Read More

What is a valve actuator (Electric & Pneumatic)

Valve actuators are of various types namely electrically operated , pneumatically operated. Pneumatically operated actuators can be diaphragm operated for globe , gate valves. Pneumatic actuators can be quarter turn type for ball or butterfly valves. Pneumatic actuators can be cylinder operated for say Knife gate valves. Actuators are again single acting spring return type…

Read More

What is a v-port valve?

What is a V-Port Ball Valve? When it comes to ball valves, the V-port ball valve plays an important role in the valve world. This V-shaped ball or V-shaped seat is utilized with higher velocity applications that would otherwise damage a normal ball valve. These ¼ turn control valves can be flanged or non-flanged. The…

Read More

What is a butterfly valve?

There are various butterfly valves being utilized in every industry imaginable. The butterfly valve, aka quarter-turn valve, is one of the most popular and economical valves. You may not realize it, but you encounter butterfly valves on a daily basis. These valves, made of carbon steel, cast iron, stainless steel or plastic, are being utilized in many applications…

Read More

What is a ball valve?

What is a ball valve? It’s a question new customers often ask us at Valtorc, so let’s look into this to answer the question and explain what a ball valve is. A ball valve is described as a mechanical device that directs, guides and modulates the flow of various types of liquids by way of an opening…

Read More