The Essential Types of Valves & Fittings Used For Shipbuilding

All around the world, water flow, and contamination issues are being researched carefully. When ships are being built, there are some essential valves and fittings that are used both onboard and in conjunction with the movement of the ship.

Here are just a few of the most valuable types of valves and fittings on ships.

Gate Valves

Gate valves are usually put in the middle of the wider sections of a pipe to help control the flow of liquids that are especially heavy or more solid than water. They help to open and close the liquid flow by using stems and wedges.

That can include rising stems or non-rising stems. Solid wedges, flexible wedges, or split wedges can be used depending on the application. They will usually either be fully open or fully closed when they’re in operation.

Globe Valves

Globe valves get used for applications that happen in-line. The manage the regulation of flow beyond the simple fact of stopping and starting the flow.

When they’re installed on ships or near blige-suction lines, the disks that are attached to the stem are lifted and lowered into a seat. The disk will sit against the seating ring to shut off the flow and completely close the valve.

When the disk is open, it responds to the flow and can even prohibit back-flow. They’re most commonly used for air, steam, oil, and water piping systems.

Butterfly Valve

Shipbuilders looking for a valve that is durable and reliable often turn to butterfly valves. They’re used for marine and industrial uses. They get built with the kind of performance ability to deal with fresh or saltwater, lube oil, or even fuel oil.

They require very little maintenance, useful when there are other ship-related matters at hand.

Butterfly valve seat material is usually made from NBR, EPDM, Viton, or Teflon. They allow for a broader range of applications and temperature uses.

The design offers the chance to regulate and adjust flows via different disc rotations. They use a notch positioning plate and offer a quarter turn ability to help for more control over your flow.

Angle Valves

Angle valves move liquid, fluid or gas. By utilizing piston seats that are housed in a metal casing, they offer lots of control. Using outlet openings at right angles to turn to inlet openings, they regulate flow during lots of applications.

You find these types of valves in refineries and rigs most often.

Storm Valves

When trying to remove waste from a main sewer line, a storm valve is put in place. With the use of this kind of valve, overloadings of water and sewage go back through lateral connections. This saves from flooding and water damage.

Using a disc that opens as the flow approaches one side and then returns back to its seat when water runs the other way, there’s no backflow allowed. These can help to keep connected water lines from being contaminated.

Valves and Fittings Maintain Health and Efficiency

When it comes to valves and fittings, choosing the right ones will keep your ship efficient and keep everyone on board safe. When building a ship, consider your fittings carefully.

If you need repairs further down the road, check out our guide on industrial valve repair.