Globe Valves

A globe valve controls flow with a disc or plug that moves linearly onto a seat set within a rounded body. Flow follows an S-shaped path through the seat, which gives the valve its characteristic throttling ability: the flow area changes progressively with stem travel, so the valve regulates well and is not limited to simple on/off duty. The trade-off is a higher pressure drop than a gate valve, which is accepted where control and tight shut-off matter more than minimising head loss.

Globe valves come in straight, angle and oblique (Y-pattern) body forms. The Y-pattern reduces the flow path restriction and suits higher-flow and higher-pressure lines. Disc and seat profiles are selected for the duty: a plug or parabolic disc for throttling, a flat or conical disc for isolation. Because the disc contacts the seat only at the end of travel, seat wear is low and shut-off is reliable even after frequent operation.

Typical uses include steam and condensate systems, boiler feed and blowdown, fuel and oil lines, cooling water and general process service where flow needs to be regulated as well as stopped. Stop-check variants combine throttling with a non-return function, and bellows-sealed versions are used where stem leakage must be prevented.

Common standards include EN 13789 and BS 1873 for industrial globe valves, API 602 and API 623 for steel designs, with flanges to EN 1092 or ASME B16.5 and testing to EN 12266 or API 598. Bodies are made in cast and forged carbon steel, stainless steel, bronze and ductile iron, with trim materials selected for temperature and erosion resistance.

When specifying, provide the bore, pressure rating, medium and temperature, the body and trim materials, the body pattern and whether the duty is throttling or isolation. We can then propose a configuration with the supporting documentation.