Valves are mechanical devices that control the pressure and flow of a system and process. Valves play a vital role in the piping system. The primary function of valves is to transfer gases, slurries, liquids, vapors, etc. Different valves exist, e.g., ball, plug, butterfly, gate, and globe.
These valves have a significant number of models. Valves have different working abilities and different features. Quarter turn valves are a form of shutoff valves. They work typically and quickly in 90-degree rotations of the handle. Quarter-turn valves work in quarter rotation and help to open and close the valves.
1. What Is Quarter Turn Valves?
A quarter-turn valve is a type of shutoff valve. These valves are also known as ball valves. They can stop the flow of gases, liquids, and vapors at 90 degrees. They entirely work in opening and closing. Quarter turn valves have a long service capacity.
These valves provide strong sealing for the long term. Valves are best for the application of on and off quarter-turns. For most standards of ball valves, throttling is possible; commonly, ball valves are used for controlling the process.
For water supply quarter-turn, valves work quickly and potentially. These valves are used in residential, commercial, and industrial applications. Quarter-turn valves work as ball valves, but they have one difference. Revolving the handle depends on 90 degrees rather than 180 degrees.
Due to the specific design, the quarter turn valve is commonly accessible instead of ball valves. When there is a need for care but space is limited, quarter-turn valves are commonly used. Compared to other valves, quarter-turn valves have better seals and are more protective.
2. Types of Quarter Turn Valves:
There are five main types of quarter-turn valves are as following:
2.1 Plug Valve:
The first type of quarter-turn valve is the plug valve. Plug valves work similarly to gate valves. These valves stop the flow of liquid or gas in piping systems. The wheel is turned up and down in plug valves, moving in gate valves. These valves are more trustworthy than gate valves.
These valves offer an accurate level of flow control. The turning wheel can move in plug valves more easily and quickly than in gate valves. They allow faster shutoff in urgent cases, and they can allow better control of the flow of matter. These types of valves are also called needle valves.
Applications:
- Industry process: plug valve has their maintenance ability, smooth designs, and better resistance to the water flow. Plug valves are used in industries and treatment facilities for plant and chemical processing.
- Commercial and residential process: these valves are used on a large scale for residential and commercial processes. These valves are made with solid seals and are free of leakage.
- Regulate the flow of water: Plug valves are used to regulate flow, shut off the water in urgent cases, and ensure accurate water flow. They are also used in on and off-controlling and alerting services.
2.2 Ball Valve:
The second type of quarter-turn valve is a ball valve. Ball valves moved in the center of the valves due to the hole drilled into the valves. You can move the ball in the center by revolving the valve control of 90 degrees.
A ball valve can allow the hole perpendicular to flow, revolve, or stop water in the piping system. When the ball is rotating 90 degrees, the flow stops automatically. Due to this, any single person can start or stop the flow of liquid, gas, or air quickly through the line of valves.
It can shut off easily because it allows the valves to work quickly. The hole line with the flowway allows liquids or gases to pass through. Ball valves are mostly made of brass, metal, stainless steel, etc.
Applications:
- Ball valves are most widely used on/off and controlling services;
- Ball valves are used in many hydrocarbon process applications;
- Ball valves use ported circles that revolve in the piping system.
2.3 Butterfly Valves:
The third type of quarter-turn valve is the butterfly valve. Butterfly valves differ from ball and plug valves because they use a disc shape. They have a seal ring between the valve body and the disc. The seal ring is also sealed between pipe flanges and valves’ bodies.
When the disc of the valve is upright to the flow direction, the flow speed is stopped. Due to the 90-degree rotation, the flow of water or gas passes through the disc. The essential parts of the butterfly valve are the body, disc stem, and seat.
Applications:
- Butterfly valves are used in different industries and functions, including water or gas supply, oil and food, chemical industry, etc. These valves are also used in fuel handling, fire protection, and sanitary fittings.
- Butterfly valves control the flow of water in the piping system. Butterfly valves have different shapes and sizes, available on a large scale.
- Butterfly valves are also used in marine environmental applications because the material is solid and resistant.
2.4 Gate Valves:
The fourth type of quarter-turn valve is a gate valve. Gate valves play an essential role in water supply systems. Gate valves allow the stop and flow of liquid or gas and represent linear motion isolation valves. These valves are accurate for above-ground and underground installation.
Gate valves have a total opening and closing design. Gate valves are mostly used in various industries and fluid processes due to shutoff valves. Gate valves are used during new installation, maintenance, and repair works.
Applications:
Gate valves have various industrial and residential applications.
- Slurries: gate valves used in slurry applications. Gate valves have an accessible way for liquid or gas, so the slurries easily pass through the valves.
- Viscous media: Gate valves are used in viscous media, including oils and light grease. The freeway allows these media to flow quickly. These valves are typically used on or off for a long term.
- Watergate valves: Gate valves are used for liquid or gas flow control. For proper water control, these valves allow opening and closing.
Please read our blog on Gate Valve Vs. Globe Valve: In-depth
2.5 Globe Valves:
The fifth and last type of quarter-turn valve is the globe valve. It is an instrument used to control the flow of fluids in the piping system. Due to the cylindrical shape, these valves are known as globe valves. Globe valves have two halves of the body, which are disconnected by an internal side. Globe valves have more pressure on fluids than gate valves. For uncontrolling factors, we can use this valve for high-pressure drops. These valves are used for controlling processes and are called throttle valves.
Applications:
- Globe valves are used for cooling water systems
- It is used in fuel oil systems
- Globe valves are used in feed water and chemical feed systems
- It is used for boiler and central steam vents and drains
- These valves are used in turbine lube oil system
- These valves are also used in drain and trim applications in sprinkler systems
3. Size of Quarter Turn Valve:
| Size (Inches) | Valve Size (Millimeters) |
| 1/4″ | 6 mm |
| 3/8″ | 10 mm |
| 1/2″ | 15 mm |
| 3/4″ | 20 mm |
| 1″ | 25 mm |
| 1 1/4″ | 32 mm |
| 2″ | 50 mm |
4. Applications of Quarter Turn Valves:
Quarter-turn valves are used to control liquids or gases in various industries. These valves are also used in residential systems for off and on-pressure control. Quarter-turn valves are essential in industry plumbing systems and are mainly used in household processes.
These valves are used as taps in the home to wash dishes and clothes. Quarter turn valves are primarily used in every industrial process, including the chemical industry, gas, oil, and petroleum processing, sewage processing, food manufacturing, power generation, plastic industry, and many other fields. Quarter-turn valves are primarily used in residential plumbing systems, including sinks, toilets, faucets, and showers. These valves are also used in commercial and industrial applications for regulating fluid flow and plants for blocking.
5. How to Choose Quarter Turn Valves?
- Pressure:
The pressure material must considered before choosing a quarter-turn valve. Pressure material affects the lifespan performance of any valve. The choice of quarter valves depends on your specific applications, working environment, and system pressure range.
- Operating system:
Before selecting valves, knowing about the operating system is important. In an operating system, you must see whether it is powered automatically or manually. On the other hand, valves can operated remotely.
- Temperature:
When choosing any valve, the temperature must considered. If the temperature is high, quarter-turn valves work efficiently. When the temperature is low, valves cannot work correctly.
- Environment and Maintenance:
Before selecting valves, you should recognize what kind of environment will be best for your valves and the means of the valve’s maintenance. Harsh environments include moisture, cold or heat, acidic or alkaline, saline, etc.
- Size range:
The size range of this stuff is an essential part of their selection. Generally, many valve factories worldwide have valve seat material that can quarter a necessary range of sizes, from very small to large.
For smaller valve sizes, stainless steel and bronze are usually well-suited. Hardened steel and cast iron are mainly used for larger valve sizes. They offer maximum sealing power, long service life, and rigidity for heavier-duty applications.
- Connection Location:
Recognize that the connection points closer to the top or bottom. Regarding a quarter turn, the opening connection is near the top of the valve.
- Pipe Conditioning Required:
Before choosing any valve, it is necessary to condition pipes to accommodate a specific valve. Ball valves are better suited for older pipes constructed with rust and corrosion.
- Fluid flow rate and flow velocity:
The fluid flow rate and flow velocity must be considered before selecting valves. Flow rate and nominal speed are essential parts that will help you choose the accurate valve for your use, mainly if it is used to regulate this flow rate.
- Price Range:
You must choose valves whose price range will be according to your budget. With this help, you can get the correct valve without paying too much.
6. Conclusion
Quarter-turn valves are more valuable and reliable and are primarily used in plumbing systems and other applications. These valves are easy to use and require slight maintenance and strong blocking. Before selecting valves, recognizing quarter-turn valves, their types of use, and their benefits can help you buy the best ones for plumbing components for your business or home applications.