Types of Industrial Valves: Types, Functions, and How to Choose the Right One

In any industrial facility , liquids, gases, or steam flow through the system and must be precisely directed, metered, or shut off. This is the role of industrial valves, a critical component for process safety and efficiency.

There are many types of industrial valves, and choosing the right one depends on the function it needs to perform. In this guide, we explain what an industrial valve is, how it is classified based on its function ,and how to choose the right model, witha special focus on pressure-reducing valves—Valfonta’s specialty.

Before reviewing the different types, it is important to understand what an industrial valve is and what components all models have in common.

An industrial valve is a mechanical device that controls the flow of a fluid—liquid, gas, or steam—within a system. Depending on the type, it can completely open or close the flow path, regulate the flow rate, maintain a specific pressure, or protect the system by venting fluid in the event of overpressure.

It is, therefore, the element that makes it possible to operate a process in a controlled and safe manner, adapting the flow to the needs of each facility.

They are manufactured from a wide variety of materials—stainless steel, bronze, and special steels—depending on the fluid, temperature, and corrosion resistance requirements, and are used in virtually every industry: chemical, food, pharmaceutical, energy, and water.

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Although there are numerous designs, industrial valves share three essential parts whose functions complement one another:

Based on these factors, each manufacturer develops specific designs tailored to the fluid, pressure, and operating temperature. At Valfonta, we manufacture these components under strict quality standards at our facility in Badalona.

Each type of valve is designed for a specific function. Using a shut-off valve to regulate flow, or a control valve to isolate a line, can cause premature wear, pressure drops, noise, and even safety hazards.

For example, permanently throttling a ball valve in an attempt to regulate flow damages the seat and ultimately compromises the seal; a control valve is the correct choice for that function. Choosing the right class—and sizing it properly—ensures reliable operation, extends the system’s service life, and prevents unnecessary maintenance costs. That’s why it’s important to understand the main valve families and how they differ.

The most useful way to classify industrial valves is by the function they perform in the system. These are the three main categories.

Their purpose is to either allow or completely block the flow of fluid, without regulating the flow rate in between; they operate in either a fully open or fully closed position. They are used to isolate sections of piping, equipment, or parts of a system during maintenance or operation. The most common models in this family are:

The choice between these different models depends on the diameter, the operating frequency, the allowable pressure drop, and the required seal integrity.

These valves do more than just open or close: they continuously modulate flow or pressure to maintain the process at the desired value. Within this group, the pressure-reducing valve is one of the most important: it reduces the outlet pressure and keeps it stable downstream, regardless of variations in inlet pressure or line demand.

Depending on their operating principle, pressure reducers can be direct-acting—the most common, simple, and reliable—or pilot-operated, which offer greater precision at high flow rates or with large pressure differentials. This family also includes control valves with pneumatic or electric actuators, which adjust flow based on an external signal from the control system and are key in automated processes. This is the product family in which Valfonta specializes, offering a wide range of pressure reducers that we will explore in the next section.

Its function is to protect the system and people. The pressure relief (or excess pressure) valve activates when the fluid is about to exceed the established limits, releasing part of the flow to prevent leaks, ruptures, or explosions.

The safety valves play an equivalent role in boilers and pressure vessels, opening quickly in the event of overpressure. This category also often includes check valves, which prevent fluid from flowing in the opposite direction and protect pumps and upstream equipment.

Unlike pressure-reducing valves, which regulate pressure continuously, these valves only activate intermittently as a safety mechanism. You can learn more about the difference between a safety valve and a relief valve on our blog.

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Among control valves, pressure-reducing valves are Valfonta’s primary specialty. We manufacture a complete line capable of covering virtually any industrial application, from steam and gases to liquids and specialty services. They are used in sectors as diverse as the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, food processing, energy, water treatment, and steam-based processes, where maintaining a stable working pressure is critical to process quality and safety.

With more than 50 years of experience manufacturing and designing pressure-regulating valves, at Valfonta we analyze each installation to recommend the valve best suited to its operating conditions.

Our pressure reducers stand out for their reliable pressure regulation, ease of installation and maintenance, and the ability to be manufactured with custom materials and configurations (different housings, gaskets, connections, or for use with oxygen). All manufacturing takes place in Spain, which ensures personalized technical support and quick turnaround times.

This ability to customize is what sets a specialized manufacturer apart from a mere distributor: when an application requires a specific Kv coefficient, a material resistant to a corrosive fluid, or a specific connection, the valve is adapted to the process—not the other way around. The result is more precise control, a longer service life, and fewer issues over time.

This is the range of gear reducers available in the Valfonta catalog. Each model is designed for a specific type of fluid and application:

You can view all models, sizes, and technical specifications in the pressure-reducing valvescategory, and compare them with our pressure relief valves and control valves.

Do you need help choosing the right valve for your installation? Write to us at valfonta@valfonta.com or call 933 720 888 and our technical team will advise you with no obligation.