The GMI industrial valve glossary

Creation of the industrial valve glossary is in progress.
This glossary will let you look up the fluid management definitions and technical terms used in industry.
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W |
 
 
A
 
Actuator : Device used to open/close or control the valve. Key types include electrical, hydraulic and pneumatic. Movement may be quarter-turn or multi-turn. Actuators may be used when (i) valves are remotely located (eg, on pipelines) (ii) valves are located in hazardous areas (iii) manual operation would be time-consuming (eg, with larger valves)
 
Air valve : Valve that is used to control the flow of air. Flows are normally small, so solenoid valves are suited.
 
B
 
Back pressure : The pressure exerted on the downstream side of a valve seat.
 
Ball valve : A quarter-turn valve with a spherical closing element held between two seats. Characteristics include quick opening and good shut-off. Ball valves are widely used as on/off valves in the chemical process and other industries. Special designs (with V notches or fingers) are available for throttling applications. Larger valves with heavier balls (eg, on pipelines) may use trunnions to help support the ball and prevent damage to soft internals. Designs are typically, one, two or three piece.
 
Bellows : Sealing device which prevents line media leaking between the stem and the body.
Butt weld : Soudure bout à bout
 
Butterfly valve : A quarter-turn valve which has a circular disk as its closing element. The standard design has the valve stem running through the disk, giving a symmetrical appearance. Later designs off-set the stem, so that the disk ‘cams’ into the valve seat. Advantages include less wear and tear on the disk and seats, and tighter shut-off capabilities. Many design types are available including inexpensive Teflon or resilient seats for use in water (treatment) plants, etc. More expensive metal seats can be used where high temperatures or aggressive chemicals are encountered. So-called “High Performance” butterfly valves offer zero leakage designs and have been applied in both the chemicals and hydrocarbon processing sectors.
 
Bypass valve : A small bore valve fitted in parallel to a larger main valve. Bypass valves are used to reduce the differential pressure across the main valve before this latter valve is opened (as otherwise this larger, more expensive valve, may suffer damage to internal components).
 
C
 
Check valve : A valve that is designed to allow the fluid to flow in a given direction but closes to prevent backflow. Types include swing check, tilting disc check and wafer check. Check valves (also called non-return valves) are usually self-acting.
 
Control valve : A valve which regulates the flow or pressure of a fluid. Control valves normally respond to signals generated by independent devices such as flow meters, temperature gauges, etc. Control valves are normally fitted with actuators and positioners. Pneumatically-actuated globe valves are widely used for control purposes in many industries, although quarter-turn types such as (modified) ball and butterfly valves may also be used.
Cryogenic valves : These are valves suited for use at temperatures below - 40 degrees Celsius.
 
D
 
Diaphragm valve : A bi-directional valve which is operated by applying an external force to a flexible element, or diaphragm (typically an elastomer). Diaphragm valves may be used for slurries (where other valve designs might clog) or in hygienic applications.
 
Diverter valve : A valve which can change the direction of the flow of a medium to two or more different directions.
 
Double block and bleed : A valve configuration in which positive shut-off is achieved at both the inlet and outlet sides. A small port is fitted to discharge fluid in the intermediate space. Fitting a gas detector to the port provides assurance of the integrity of the upstream seal. This configuration is often required to isolate high pressure sections of a system to facilitate safe maintenance, etc.
 
E
 
Electric actuators : Actuator which uses an electric motor to operate the valve stem.
Extended bonnet : Used when the media is at high or low temperatures, to avoid damage to the sealing elements.
 
F
 
Filtre métallique :
 
Fléxible : Il s'agit de la conception de d'opercule à "coin flexible" sur certaines vannes à passage direct.
 
Float valve : A valve which automatically opens or closes as the level of a liquid changes. The valve is operated mechanically by a float which rests on the top of the liquid.
 
FMA : Fermé par manque d'air est la position par défaut.
Fragmentant : Se dit d'un disque de rupture quand celui-ci explose en multiple morceaux générant ainsi un risque de blessure.
A l'inverse un disque non-fragmentant restera compacte.
 
FRL : Le filtre régulateur et lubrificateur, est un équipement de réglage sur le réseau pneumatique.
 
Full bore : Term used e.g. of a ball valve, to indicate that the internal diameter of the valve opening is the same as that of the piping to which it is fitted.
 
G
 
Garniture de niveau :
 
Gate valve : A multi-turn valve which has a gate-like disk and two seats to close the valve. The gate moves linearly, perpendicular to the direction of flow. This type of valve is normally used in the fully opened or fully closed position; it is not suited to throttling applications. Gate valves provide robust sealing, and are used extensively in the petrochemicals industries. This class of valves also includes knife gate valves, conduit gate valves and wedge gate valves. Knife gate valves have much thinner gates with a knife-like edge, making them suited to use with floating solids, eg, as in the pulp & paper industries. Conduit gate valves have a rectangular disk as the closing element. One half of the disk is solid, to close the valve, the other has a circular port, which can be used to open the valve. Wedge gate valves have a wedge-shaped gate which ‘wedges’ between floating seats to close the valve tightly.
Gearboxes : Used to ensure easier operation of larger valves, particularly ball valves.
 
Globe valve : A multi-turn valve with a closing element that moves perpendicularly to the valve body seat and generally seals in a plane parallel to the direction of flow. This type of valves is suited both to throttling and general flow control.
 
GOST : Normes GOST "Gosstandart of Russia"
 
H
 
Hydraulic actuator : A device fitted to the valve stem than uses hydraulic energy to open and close the valve. Depending on the configuration, the hydraulic fluid may both open and close the valve, or just open the valve. In that latter case, a spring will typically be fitted inside the actuator to return it (and the valve) to the closed position.
 
I
 
Indicateur de niveau à réflexion :
Indicateur de niveau magnétique :
 
ISO : Normes ISO "International Organization for Standardization
".
 
Isobar : Pour un robinet ou vanne isobar, la pression maximum d'utilisation est identique quel que soit le diamètre.
 
Isolement :
 
Isomorphe : Pour un robinet ou vanne isomorphe, la pression maximum d'utilisation diminue selon que le diamètre augmente.
J
 
Jacketed valve : This valve is design incorporates a so-called jacket around the valve body. Steam is introduced into the jacket to keep the fluids being controlled at the required temperature.
 
JIS : Normes JIS "Japanese Industrial Standard".
 
K
 
Kv : Le Kv exprime en m3/h le débit d'eau s'écoulant dans un organe de robinetterie en
générant une perte de charge de 1 Bar.
 
L
 
Levier : Organe de manœuvre d'un robinet quart de tour, appelé aussi poignée.
 
Lift check : This non-return valve design incorporates a piston to damp the disk during operation.
Line blind : A pipeline shut-off device, whereby a flat disk is forced between two flanges. Line blinds are less expensive than valves, but require much more time to operate.
 
Linear valve : See multi-turn
 
Lug :
 
M
 
Manchette : Embout intégré au robinet permettant de le souder sans avoir à le démonter préalablement. Les manchettes peuvent être intégrales ou soudées.
 
Monobloc : La construction de corps monobloc est une particularité de certain robinets à tournant sphérique.
Il s'agit aussi de la conception "d'opercule monobloc" sur certaines vannes à passage direct.
Multi-ported : Multi-ported valves include additional inlet/outlet ports, to allow fluids to be directed. The ball and plug valve types are ideally suited to multi-port designs.
 
Multi-tours : Se dit de la manœuvre sur le volant des vannes à opercule, à guillotine... , pour ouvrir ou fermer celles-ci.
 
Multi-turn : Category of valves (such as gate, globe, needle) which require multiple turns of the stem to move the valve from the fully open to the fully closed position. Also known as linear valves. See also quarter-turn.
 
N
 
Needle valve : This multi-turn valve derives its name from the needle-shaped closing element. The design resembles that of the globe valve. Typically available in smaller sizes, they are often used on secondary systems for on/off applications, sampling, etc.
 
NF : Faute d'énergie, la position par défaut est normalement fermé.
NO : Faute d'énergie, la position par défaut est normalement ouvert.
 
NPT : Type de filetage conique utilisé en robinetterie industrielle, aussi appelé Briggs.
"American National standard taper Pipe Thread"
 
O
 
OMA : Ouvert par manque d'air est la position par défaut.
 
Onde :
 
Opercule :
Oreille :
 
Oreilles de centrage :
 
Oreilles taraudées :
 
P
 
Passage droit :
 
Passage intégral :
Passage ondulé :
 
Passage réduit :
 
Pelle :
 
Penstock valve : A type of simple gate valve, used to contain fluids in open channels. Often found in waste water treatment plants.
 
Perte de charge : Lorsqu'un fluide s'écoule, son énergie se dégrade par frottement contre les parois de la tuyauterie droite. Les pertes de charge peuvent avoir une autre origine par exemple: la réduction de diamètre, vanne passage réduit , modification de trajectoire, coude, vanne à veine fluide dérivée.
Pilot valve : Pilot valve
Small valve requiring little power which is used to operate a larger valve. See also solenoid valves.
 
Pinch valve : A valve in which a flexible hose is pinched between one or two moving external elements to stop the flow. This valve is often used in slurry and mining applications, as its operation is not affected by solid matter in the medium. It is also used with certain gases, as the absence of possible leak paths to the atmosphere ensures good emission control.
 
Plug valve : This multi-turn valve derives its name from the rotating plug which forms the closing element. The plug may be cylindrical or truncated. In the open position, the fluid flows through a hole in the plug. Lubricated plug valves rely on a sealing compound injected between the plug and the valve body, whilst sleeved plug valves are fitted with a ‘soft’ insert between the plug and the body.
 
PN : Pression nominale d'utilisation en robinetterie industrielle. La gamme des PN standards est la suivante : 10,16, 20, 25, 40, 50, 100, 150, 250, 420.
 
Pneumatic actuator : A device fitted to the valve stem than uses pneumatic energy to open/close or regulate the valve. Depending on the configuration, the compressed air may both open and close the valve, or just open the valve. In that latter case, a spring will typically be fitted inside the actuator to return the valve to the closed position.
Poignée : Organe de manœuvre des robinets "quart de tour" comme les vannes papillon, robinets à tournant sphérique.
 
Positioner : Device that ensures the closing or throttling element of a valve moves to or maintains the correct position.
 
Presse étoupe :
 
Pression : La pression est le résultat d'une force exercée sur une surface (P=F/S)
(exemple : un robinet de DN 150 à une pression de 16 bars subit une force de 2,8 Tonnes). La pression permet de véhiculer le fluide, elle peut être générée par une pompe et parfois par un phénomène naturel : écoulement par gravité, eau chauffée dans un récipient fermé, crée de la vapeur sous pression.
Elle se mesure sur un manomètre.
L'unité est le bar (1 bar=1 kg/cm2)
 
Pression absolue : Est la pression relative + la presion atmosphérique.
Pression amont : Est la pression à l'entrée du robinet.
 
Pression avale : Est la pression à la sortie du robinet.
 
Pression relative : Est la pression lue sur un manomètre ne tenant pas compte de la pression atmosphérique (environ 1 bar).
Par opposition la pression absolue est : la P relative + la P atmosphérique.
 
Pressure reducing valve : A self-operating valve used to reduce any excess pressure in a system, eg steam. Also known as a PRV. The valve opens if the internal pressure exceeds that holding the closing element onto the seat.
 
Purgeur à flotteur :
Purgeur bimétallique :
 
Purgeur de vapeur :
 
Purgeur thermodynamique :
 
Purgeur thermostatique :
 
Q
 
Quart de tour : Se dit de la manœuvre à 90° de la poignée des robinets à tournant sphérique et robinets à papillon, pour passer d'une position ouverte à fermée.
Quarter-turn : Category of valves (such as ball, plug, butterfly) which require just a 90 degree turn of the stem to move from the fully open to the fully closed position. See also multi-turn. Note: some larger valves may, for simpler manual operation, be fitted with gearboxes, giving them the appearance of a multi-turn valve.
 
R
 
Reduced bore : Indicates that the internal diameter of the valve is lower than the piping to which the valve is fitted.
 
Réducteur de pression :
 
Réducteur manuel à volant : S'utilise comme commande sur les vannes quart de tour ou multi-tours afin de réduire le couple de manœuvre.
 
Regulating valve : This valve type is used to regulate flows to provide a constant pressure output.
Régulation : Certains robinets ou vannes ont pour fonction de régler le débit du fluide.Il faut alors régler l'ouverture du robinet pour agir sur le passage du fluide plus ou moins important.
 
RF : Usinage des portée de joints de brides.
"Raised face"
 
Robinet à flotteur :
 
Robinet à membrane :
 
Robinet à piston :
Robinet à pointeau :
 
Robinet à soupape :
 
Robinet à tournant sphérique :
 
RTJ : Usinage des portée de joints de brides.
"Ring type Joint"
 
S
 
Sampling valve : A valve which is fitted to a reactor or pipeline to allow small sample of a fluid to be withdrawn for further testing. In simple cases a standard gate or needle valve, for example, may be used. The disadvantage is, that inappropriate use may result in spillage. As an alternative, valves are available which ‘trap’ a small quantity of fluid in a chamber, and only this small amount of fluid is released when the valve is operated.
Sandwich :
 
Sectionnement : Certains robinets ou vannes ont pour unique fonction de stopper le passage du fluide.Ils sont utilisés ouverts ou fermés (tout ou rien, TOR).
 
Sécurité feu : Aptitudes d'un robinet ou d'une vanne conserver son étanchéité en cas d'incendie dans son environnement. Un test officiel permet de valider il s'agit cette capacité, le certificat BS 6755/2 délivré validera cette homologation.
 
Sécurité positive :
 
SEF : Usinage des portées de joints de brides.
"Simple Emboitement Femelle"
SEM : Usinage des portées de joints de brides.
"Simple Emboitement Mâle"
 
Séparateur vapeur :
 
Servo-moteur :
 
Sièges paralèlles et libre dilatation : Mode de construction et étanchéité particulière des vannes à opercule leur conférant ainsi une aptitude sur la vapeur.
 
Silicate de bore :
Simple effet : Se dit d'un actionneur pneumatique ou hydraulique. La pression du fluide comprimera les ressorts permettant ainsi une manœuvre. Quand la pression sera stopper et purger les ressorts permettront une manœuvre inverse et un retour en position initiale.
En cas de panne l'actionneur retournera dans sa position par défaut : OMA ou FMA.
 
Socket weld : Soudure par emboitement
 
Solenoid valve : Solenoid valves, typically of the needle globe type, are operated by an electrical solenoid. They are often deployed as pilot valves, i.e., fitted to actuators which in turn control larger valves.
 
Soufflet d'étanchéite :
 
Soupape :
Soupape de décharge :
 
Soupape de dépression :
 
Soupape de respiration :
 
Soupape de sureté :
 
Sphère :
Sphère arbrée : type de construction de certain robinets à tournant sphérique. Se dit quand le maintien de la sphère se fait à la fois par un axe supérieur et un axe inférieur, contrairement à la construction dite" sphère flottante". Équivalent de la construction "trunnion ball valve".
 
Sphère flottante : type de construction de certain robinets à tournant sphérique. Se dit quand le maintien et le guidage de la sphère se fait par un axe supérieur, contrairement à la sphère arbrée.
 
Split body :
 
Spring return : See Pneumatic actuator.
 
Subsea valve : A valve which is designed for use in sea water. For example, installed in a pipeline on the sea bed.
Swing check : This non-return valve has a hinged disk as the closing element.
 
T
 
Tamis :
 
Tank valve : A valve arranged for fitting at the bottom of a tank or process vessel.
 
Tige :
 
TOR : "Tout Ou Rien" se dit d'un robinet ou une vanne uniquement utilisé en fonction sectionnement.
Trunnion : type de construction de certain robinets à tournant sphérique. Se dit quand le maintien de la sphère se fait à la fois par un axe supérieur et un axe inférieur, contrairement à la construction dite "sphère flottante". Équivalent de la construction dite "sphère arbrée".
 
U
 
Uni-directionnelle :
 
V
 
Vanne à guillotine :
 
Vanne à manchon :
 
Vanne à membrane :
Vanne à papillon :
 
Vanne à passage direct :
 
Vanne murale :
 
Vanne papillon :
 
W
 
Wafer :
Wafer design : The construction of wafer design valves allows them to be ‘sandwiched’ between flanged sections of pipeline. The benefit is lower bolting requirements. Typically used with certain butterfly and check valves.
 
Wellhead valve : Wellhead valves are used to isolate the flow of oil or gas at the takeoff from an oil or gas well. The design is usually a plug or gate valve.
 
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