Go With The Flow

Quite simply, valves exist to give us control over the amount of fluid or gas we use. Without valves, our taps would essentially become miniaturised waterfalls with no method of control.

As the year’s pass, human nature dictates that we require more and more control over various aspects of our everyday lives. Valves are a perfect example of this. They are a perfect example of humans taking something quite natural i.e. the flow of gas or liquid, and requiring control over it i.e. installing a valve.

Advancements in technology have allowed humans to refine the efficiency of the valve and refine its suitability for certain jobs. Far from being the standard ‘on and off’ valve which we originally started with; valves have now evolved to allow the user to allow certain amounts of flow or even direct flow in a different direction. The technology in valves has improved so that they can now be mechanised, rather than manually controlled. Various methods of activating valves now include hydraulics, pneumatic and by the motor. Valves have also evolved to alter in the way they function, evident in butterfly valves, stainless steel ball valves and piston valves.

The use of valves is widespread. The usage of valves in plumbing is the most obvious scenario, with water being a major beneficiary of the technology. Sewage and irrigation systems rely heavily on valves to control the mass amount of water flow that runs through them every day.
Also, consider the other scenarios. Valves are obviously a key part of mechanical engineering so will have a major part to play in the automotive industry as well as products such as domestic appliances (particularly in washing machines and dishwashers). The presence of valve technology isn’t just restricted to mechanical engineering either.

Valves have a massive part to play in nature as well with them being a key component in the heart. In humans alone, the heart contains 4 major valves in the tricuspid valve, pulmonary valve, mitral valve and the aortic valve. Each plays its own part in the quest to keep a steady flow of blood throughout the body at all times.

As time continues, valves will no doubt improve and evolve to fulfil and control whatever we need. Materials will change; the appearance may even change, but the core function of the valve will remain the same.

The guest post was written by Chris Crawford, an industry specialist in irrigation and plumbing systems which utilise the extensive use of valve technology, including butterfly valves, stainless steel ball valves and piston valves.