Pumps + Valves
Pumps create fluid movement while valves regulate, isolate, redirect, meter, or prevent flow. Selecting compatible equipment requires evaluating fluid properties, pressure, flow rate, temperature, sealing materials, port geometry, actuation method, and the operating requirements of the larger process system.
Common Pumps + Valve Types
Different pump and valve designs solve different process problems. The correct choice depends on the medium being handled, required flow behavior, operating pressure, control method, and maintenance requirements.
Centrifugal Pumps
Centrifugal pumps use rotating impellers to impart energy to fluid and are commonly used for continuous transfer, circulation, cooling, water handling, and process service.
Metering Pumps
Metering pumps deliver controlled amounts of fluid and are used where repeatable dosing or precise flow rates are more important than high-volume transfer.
Ball Valves
Ball valves use a rotating ball with a flow passage to provide rapid shutoff and relatively low flow resistance when fully open.
Check Valves
Check valves allow flow in one direction while limiting reverse flow. Their operation depends on pressure differential and internal closure design.
Solenoid Valves
Solenoid valves use electromagnetic actuation to open, close, or redirect fluid flow and are common in automated pneumatic, hydraulic, water, and process systems.
Butterfly Valves
Butterfly valves use a rotating disc within the flow passage and can provide compact isolation or throttling in larger-diameter piping systems.
Flow and pressure define the operating point.
Pumps must generate enough energy to move fluid through the system, while valves must safely control that fluid under expected operating conditions.
Pipe losses, elevation changes, restrictions, viscosity, temperature, and downstream equipment all influence the real operating point.
Fluid-System Components
Pump and valve performance depends on surrounding system hardware. Connections, seals, measurement devices, and pressure controls all affect how reliably the fluid system operates.
Ports + Connections
Threaded, flanged, sanitary, compression, and other connection types must match pipe size, pressure, service, and installation requirements.
Seals + Gaskets
Seal materials must tolerate the fluid, pressure, temperature, movement, and expected service life of the equipment.
Flow Measurement
Flow meters provide operating data for monitoring, control, batching, dosing, and process verification.
Pressure Controls
Pressure switches, regulators, relief devices, and sensors help protect equipment and maintain process conditions.
Valve Actuation
Valves may be operated manually or by electric, pneumatic, hydraulic, or electromagnetic actuators.
Process Control
Automated systems coordinate pumps, valves, sensors, drives, and controllers to regulate flow and pressure.
Pump + Valve Selection Factors
Selection should begin with the process conditions and fluid properties. Equipment that fits the pipe may still be unsuitable if pressure, flow, material, or control requirements do not match.
Start with the process conditions.
The Pump & Valve Selection Guide expands on flow, pressure, fluid properties, pump configuration, valve function, seals, actuation, connection types, and replacement compatibility.
Related Fluid-Control Resources
These references provide additional information on pumps, valves, measurement devices, and pressure-control components used throughout industrial fluid systems.
Industrial resources for moving and metering process fluids.
Valve technologies used for isolation, direction, throttling, and automatic flow control.
Resources used to monitor and regulate fluid-system operation.