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Valve Service Selection Atlas
The recommended valve type, governing standard and typical operating window for 54 industrial process fluids — on one page. The fast cross-reference for "what valve do I use for this service?"
Which valve type and standard do you use for a given fluid?
Valve-type selection follows the fluid and its duty: corrosive acids favour lined or high-alloy ball and diaphragm valves; hydrocarbons and pipelines use API 6D ball, gate and check valves; cryogenic and LNG service needs extended-bonnet gate and ball valves to BS 6364; abrasive slurries use knife-gate and pinch valves; and clean utilities use general-purpose ball and butterfly valves. The atlas below lists the recommended valve type, governing standard and typical pressure/temperature for each fluid — click any fluid for the full selection guide and compatibility table.
Corrosive Chemicals · 13
| Fluid | Recommended Valve Type | Standards | Typical P / T |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetic Acid (CH₃COOH) | Ball Valve (Hastelloy C-276 or Ti body); Gate Valve (Hastelloy or SS 316L); Globe Valve (Hastelloy, Stellite trim) | ASME B16.34API 607NACE MR0103 (sour co-service)PED 2014/68/EU | 1–25 barg (storage, transfer, PTA oxidation reactor) Ambient to +220°C (PTA oxidation circuit) |
| Amine (DEA / MEA / MDEA - Gas Sweetening) | Ball Valve (SS 316L body, PTFE seats, NACE MR0175 trim); Globe Valve (SS 316L, NACE-compliant); Gate Valve (SS 316L, OS&Y, NACE) | NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156 (sour service)ASME B16.34API 600 (large bore gate/globe)ASME B31.3 | Absorber: 30–100 bar; Regenerator: 1–2 bar (vacuum flash) Absorber: 35–65°C; Regenerator reboiler: up to 135°C |
| Brine / Sodium Chloride Solution | Super-duplex 2507 ball valve; Titanium ball valve; PTFE-lined butterfly valve | ASME B16.34NORSOK M-001 (for produced water offshore)ASTM A890 Grade 5A (super-duplex) | 1–100 bar Ambient to 90°C (process brine up to 150°C) |
| Caustic Potash (KOH - Potassium Hydroxide) | Ball Valve (SS 316L or PTFE-lined); PTFE-lined Butterfly Valve; Globe Valve (SS 316L, Hastelloy trim) | ASME B16.34ISO 9001:2015PED 2014/68/EU | 1–20 barg Ambient to +120°C |
| Caustic Soda (NaOH) | Nickel 200 globe valve; PTFE-lined ball valve; Carbon steel gate valve | ASME B16.34API 607 (fire safe)ISO 15848 (fugitive emissions) | 1–25 bar Ambient to 130°C |
| Hydrochloric Acid (HCl) | PTFE-lined ball valve; Rubber-lined butterfly valve; Hastelloy C-276 gate/globe valve | ASME B16.34NACE MR0103API 607 (fire safe)ISO 15848 (fugitive emissions - toxic service) | Atmospheric to 16 bar Ambient to 60°C typical |
| Nitric Acid (HNO₃) | SS 304L ball valve; SS 304L butterfly valve; PTFE-seated ball valve | ASME B16.34EN 1092ISO 15848 (for toxic concentrated service) | 1–20 bar Ambient to 80°C |
| Phenol (C₆H₅OH - Carbolic Acid) | Ball Valve (SS 316L, heated jacket or heat-traceable); Gate Valve (SS 316L); Globe Valve (SS 316L, PTFE packing) | ASME B16.34ISO 15848 (fugitive emissions - mandatory for toxic phenol)PED 2014/68/EUATEX 2014/34/EU | 1–15 barg 50–180°C (heated distribution to process) |
| Phosphoric Acid (H₃PO₄) | Hastelloy C-276 ball valve; Rubber-lined butterfly valve; SS 316L ball valve | ASME B16.34FDA 21 CFR 178 (food grade)API 607 | 1–16 bar Ambient to 100°C |
| Seawater | Super-duplex butterfly valve; Cupro-nickel ball valve; Titanium ball valve | NORSOK M-001 (offshore materials selection)DNV-RP-B401 (cathodic protection)ASTM A890 Grade 5A (super-duplex)ASME B16.34 | 0.5–25 bar - seawater lift to process system 0–40°C (ambient seawater); up to 120°C in desalination brine |
| Sodium Hypochlorite (NaOCl - Bleach) | PVDF-lined Butterfly Valve; PVDF-lined Ball Valve; Diaphragm Valve (PVDF or PP body, PTFE diaphragm) | ASME B16.34NSF/ANSI 61 (drinking water contact)ISO 9001:2015WHO water treatment guidelines | 1–10 barg (dosing and distribution) Ambient (max 25°C for storage stability) |
| Sulphuric Acid (H₂SO₄) | PTFE-lined ball valve; Hastelloy C-276 ball valve; PTFE-lined butterfly valve | ASME B16.34ISO 15761NACE MR0103 (where H₂S present)API 607 (fire safe) | 0.5–25 bar (7–360 psi) - process dependent Ambient to 80°C typical; up to 200°C in some processes |
| Urea Solution (Carbamide / DEF / AdBlue) | Ball Valve (SS 316L, PTFE seats); Globe Valve (SS 316L or Duplex); Diaphragm Valve (SS 316L, PTFE diaphragm) | ASME B16.34ISO 22241 (DEF/AdBlue quality)ISO 9001:2015PED 2014/68/EU | 1 barg (DEF/dilute) to 150 barg (urea synthesis loop) Ambient (DEF) to 200°C (synthesis loop) |
Hydrocarbons · 15
| Fluid | Recommended Valve Type | Standards | Typical P / T |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetone (Propanone) | SS 316L ball valve (API 607 fire safe, PTFE seats); Carbon steel ball valve (fire safe); Floating ball valve with PTFE/PEEK seats | API 607 (fire safe)ASME B16.34ATEX Directive 2014/34/EUFDA 21 CFR 182 (food/pharma) | 1–10 bar Ambient to 60°C |
| Crude Oil | API 6D trunnion mounted ball valve; ASME Class 300–1500 gate valve; Plug valve | API 6D - Pipeline valvesNACE MR0175 / ISO 15156 - Sour serviceAPI 607 - Fire testAPI 598 - Valve testing | 5–250 bar (pipeline to wellhead) Ambient to 180°C (refinery crude distillation up to 350°C) |
| Diesel Fuel / Fuel Oil | Carbon steel ball valve (API 607 fire safe); Gate valve OS&Y (ASME Class 150); Swing check valve | API 607 (fire safe)API 6DASME B16.34IS 2016 (India petroleum piping) | 1–25 bar Ambient to 120°C (HFO heated service) |
| Ethanol / Industrial Alcohol (C₂H₅OH) | Ball Valve (SS 316L, fire-safe); Butterfly Valve (SS body, PTFE seat); Gate Valve | ASME B16.34API 607 (fire testing, mandatory ATEX areas)ISO 9001:2015FSSAI (food-grade service) | 1–20 barg (distillation, storage, transfer) Ambient to +120°C (distillation column) |
| Ethylene (C₂H₄) | Trunnion Ball Valve (API 6D, fire-safe); Cryogenic Ball Valve (A351 CF8M, extended stem, BS 6364); Gate Valve (API 600, fire-safe, ATEX) | API 6D (pipeline)API 607 (fire-safe)BS 6364 (cryogenic)ATEX Zone 1 (electric actuators) | Up to 40 bar (gas phase); near-atmospheric (cryogenic storage) −104°C (cryogenic liquid) to 50°C (gaseous pipeline) |
| Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO / Bunker C / Fuel Oil No. 6) | Gate Valve (carbon steel, flanged, heat-traceable body); Globe Valve (WCB, Stellite trim); Ball Valve (full-bore, jacketed/heat-traceable body) | ASME B16.34ISO 8217 (marine fuel quality)SOLAS (marine fire safety)MARPOL Annex VI (sulphur limits) | 3–25 barg (fuel oil system operating pressure) 50°C (minimum pumpable) to 150°C (burner inlet temperature) |
| Hot Oil (Thermal Heat Transfer Fluid) | Gate Valve (OS&Y, cast steel, metal seated); Globe Valve (cast steel, metal seated); Ball Valve (trunnion, metal seated, extended stem) | ASME B16.34API 600 (cast steel gate/globe)ASME B31.3 (process piping) | 1–15 bar (circulation system pressure) 150–400°C (design temperature drives alloy steel selection above 370°C) |
| LPG - Liquefied Petroleum Gas | API 6D ball valve (CS); Excess flow valve (EFV); Safety relief valve (spring-loaded ASME) | API 6DAPI 607 (fire safe)IS 4903 (India LPG)ASME B31.3 | 5–25 bar liquid; 1–5 bar vapour distribution -42°C (propane) to ambient |
| Methanol (Methyl Alcohol) | Carbon steel ball valve (fire safe, antistatic); Cryogenic gate valve (for -40°C hydrate inhibition); Check valve on methanol injection pump | API 607 (fire safe)ASME B16.34ATEX Zone 1ASME B31.3 | 1–40 bar (methanol injection up to HP gas pipeline pressure) -40°C (hydrate inhibition) to 65°C (methanol storage) |
| Naphtha (Light / Heavy Naphtha) | Ball Valve (WCB, fire-safe, PTFE seat); Gate Valve (API 600, WCB); Globe Valve (A217 WC6, Stellite trim) | API 607 (fire-safe)API 6DASME B16.34API 941 (Nelson curves for reformer H₂ service) | 1–35 barg (storage to reformer operating pressure) Ambient to 550°C (catalytic reformer) |
| Natural Gas | API 6D trunnion ball valve; ASME Class 300/600 gate valve; ESD (Emergency Shut-Down) valve with actuator | API 6DAPI 607 (fire safe)ASME B31.8 (gas pipelines)PNGRB regulations (India) | 0.1 bar (distribution) to 150 bar (HP transmission) Ambient to 80°C |
| Propane (C₃H₈ - LPG Component) | Trunnion Ball Valve (WCB, fire-safe, ESD); Gate Valve (API 600, WCB); Safety Relief Valve (API 526) | API 607 (fire-safe, mandatory)NFPA 58 (LPG code, USA)OISD-116 (India LPG storage)API 6D | 8–25 barg (ambient storage to pipeline operating pressure) −42°C (cryogenic storage) to +60°C (ambient max) |
| Propylene / Propene (C₃H₆) | Trunnion Ball Valve (WCB, fire-safe API 607); Floating Ball Valve (for smaller sizes); Gate Valve (API 600) | API 6DAPI 607ASME B16.34NFPA 58 (LPG code) | 5–25 barg (liquefied storage and pipeline) −47°C (cryogenic storage) to +60°C (ambient) |
| Toluene (C₇H₈) | Ball Valve (fire-safe, PTFE seat); Gate Valve; Butterfly Valve (PTFE seat, fire-safe) | API 607API 6DASME B16.34ATEX 2014/34/EU | Atmospheric to 10 barg Ambient to +120°C |
| Xylene (C₈H₁₀ - Ortho, Meta, Para) | Ball Valve (WCB, fire-safe, PTFE seat); Gate Valve; Butterfly Valve (fire-safe, PTFE seat) | API 607 (fire testing)API 6DASME B16.34ATEX 2014/34/EU | 1–25 barg Ambient to +180°C (PTA oxidation reactor circuits) |
Cryogenic & Liquefied Gas · 2
| Fluid | Recommended Valve Type | Standards | Typical P / T |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liquid Nitrogen (LN₂) | Extended-Bonnet Ball Valve (SS 316L); Globe Valve with extended bonnet; Gate Valve (SS 316L, extended bonnet) | BS EN 13458ASME B16.34CGA V-6 (cryogenic fluid transfer)ISO 21011 (cryogenic valves) | 0–25 barg (storage/transfer), up to 40 barg (high-pressure LN₂ systems) −196°C at normal boiling point; up to ambient during warmup |
| LNG / Cryogenic Natural Gas | SS 316L cryogenic ball valve (extended bonnet); Cryogenic butterfly valve (triple-offset); Cryogenic gate/globe valve (extended bonnet) | BS 6364 - Cryogenic valve specificationISO 21011 - Cryogenic ball valvesEN 1626 - Cryogenic valvesASME B31.3 Low Temperature Annex M | 0.1–100 bar (atmospheric storage to HP pumped systems) -162°C to ambient |
Hazardous & Toxic · 9
| Fluid | Recommended Valve Type | Standards | Typical P / T |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ammonia (NH₃) | Carbon steel globe valve (IIAR-rated); Carbon steel ball valve (low-temp rated A333); Cryogenic gate valve (extended bonnet) | IIAR 2 - Ammonia refrigeration piping and equipmentASME B31.5 - Refrigeration pipingASME B31.3 - Process piping (process ammonia)ISO 15848 (fugitive emissions for toxic service) | Up to 25 bar (refrigerant); up to 200 bar (synthesis gas) -33°C (liquid refrigerant) to 300°C (synthesis service) |
| Carbon Monoxide (CO) | Gate Valve (carbon steel, pressure-seal bonnet); Ball Valve (WCB, PTFE seat); Globe Valve (WCB, Stellite trim) | ASME B16.34API 600API 941 (HTHA - for co-present H₂)ASME B31.3 | 0.1–350 barg Ambient to +900°C (blast furnace/reformer) |
| Chlorine (Cl₂) | Carbon steel gate/globe valve (dry Cl₂); Hastelloy C-276 ball valve (wet Cl₂); PTFE-seated ball valve | Chlorine Institute Pamphlet 6ASME B31.3 Category M (toxic service)ISO 15848 Class A (fugitive emissions)NFPA 72 (detection) | Up to 25 bar for liquid Cl₂ -34°C (liquid) to 120°C (gas) |
| Chlorine Dioxide (ClO₂) | PVDF-lined Butterfly Valve; PVDF-lined Ball Valve; Titanium Ball/Butterfly Valve | ASME B16.34NSF/ANSI 61 (water treatment)NFPA 430 (oxidisers storage)WHO guidelines | 1–8 barg (generation and distribution) Ambient (5–40°C - ClO₂ is unstable at elevated temperature) |
| Hydrofluoric Acid (HF) | Monel 400 globe valve (NACE MR0175); Monel 400 ball valve; Bellows-sealed globe valve | API 751 - Safe operation of HF alkylation unitsASME B31.3 Category M (lethal service)ISO 15848 Class A (zero fugitive emissions)NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156 | 1–20 bar Ambient to 70°C |
| Hydrogen (H₂) | SS 316L metal-seated ball valve (fire-safe); Inconel 625 gate valve; Bellows-sealed globe valve | ISO 15848 Class A (zero fugitive emissions)API 6D (pipeline valves)ASME B31.12 - Hydrogen piping and pipelinesEN 13648 (hydrogen cryogenic) | 0.1–700 bar (process to HP storage) -253°C (liquid H₂) to 550°C (reformer) |
| Hydrogen Sulphide (H₂S - Sour Gas) | Ball Valve (NACE MR0175, WCB body, Inconel trim); Gate Valve (NACE, API 600); Globe Valve (NACE, Stellite trim) | NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156API 6D (sour service)API 607 (fire-safe)NACE TM0177 (SSC testing) | 1–700 barg (wellhead to processing) Ambient to +300°C (Claus SRU) |
| Oxygen (O₂ - Industrial and Medical Grade) | Ball Valve (SS 316 or Monel, oxygen-cleaned, fire-safe); Cryogenic Ball Valve (SS 316, extended stem, BS 6364); Globe Valve (SS 316, low-velocity, oxygen-cleaned) | ASTM G93 (oxygen service cleaning)CGA G-4.1 (oxygen service)BS 6364 (cryogenic)EIGA Doc 13 (industrial gases) | Near-atmospheric (LOX storage) to 300 bar (high-pressure GOX cylinders / distribution) −183°C (liquid oxygen) to 60°C (GOX distribution) |
| Synthesis Gas (Syngas - CO + H₂) | Gate Valve (PWHT Cr-Mo steel, pressure-seal bonnet); Globe Valve (PWHT Cr-Mo, Stellite trim); Ball Valve (SS 316L body, Class 600–1500) | API 941 (Nelson curves for H₂ service)ASME B16.34NACE MR0103API 600 | 20–350 barg (SMR reformer to high-pressure synthesis loop) 200–900°C (reformer outlet) down to ambient in downstream sections |
Slurry & Abrasive · 3
| Fluid | Recommended Valve Type | Standards | Typical P / T |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bitumen / Asphalt | Full-bore Jacketed Gate Valve; Jacketed Ball Valve (full bore); Jacketed Globe Valve (Stellite trim) | ASME B16.34IBR (steam jacketing system)API 650 (bitumen storage tanks) | 3–20 barg 150–230°C operational; may reach 250°C in heaters |
| Molasses | Full-bore Ball Valve (SS 316L); Knife Gate Valve; Butterfly Valve (SS 316L, EPDM seat) | ISO 9001:2015FSSAI (food-grade)ASME BPE (food/beverage hygienic design)ISO 14159 (hygiene requirements) | 1–8 barg (gravity/pump transfer) 25–80°C (heated for reduced viscosity in transfer) |
| Slurry - Abrasive Pulp / Mineral Slurry | Rubber-lined knife gate valve; Rubber-sleeved pinch valve; Diaphragm valve (rubber diaphragm) | AWWA C520 (knife gate)MSS SP-81 (slurry gate)AS 2638 (knife gate - Australian mining) | 1–16 bar Ambient to 80°C |
Utilities · 12
| Fluid | Recommended Valve Type | Standards | Typical P / T |
|---|---|---|---|
| Argon (Ar) | Ball Valve (trunnion or floating); Extended-Bonnet Ball Valve (SS 316L); Needle Valve | ASME B16.34ISO 21011 (cryogenic valves)SEMI F36 (semiconductor purity) | 5–250 barg (GAR); 0–10 barg (LAR storage) −186°C (LAR) to +200°C (heated processes) |
| Boiler Feedwater (BFW) | Gate Valve (OS&Y, WCB/WC6); Globe Valve (Stellite trim, IBR); Check Valve (lift/piston type) | IBR (Indian Boiler Regulations)ASME B31.1ASME Section IASME B16.34 | 20–200 barg (boiler operating pressure + pump head) 100–360°C |
| Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) | SS 316L ball valve; ASME 2500 Class gate valve; Duplex check valve | ASME B31.3 / B31.4 (dense-phase pipeline)DNV-RP-F104 (CCS CO₂ pipeline)ISO 23936 (non-metallic seals in CO₂)FDA 21 CFR 178 (food-grade CO₂) | 1–300 bar (beverage to CCS pipeline) -40°C (liquid CO₂) to 200°C (process) |
| Compressed Air | Ball Valve (full-bore, SS or brass body); Butterfly Valve (wafer, DI or aluminium); Needle Valve (SS 316) | ASME B16.34BS EN ISO 6358 (flow capacity)ISO 8573 (compressed air quality) | 5–10 bar (instrument/plant air); up to 40 bar (high-pressure air) Ambient to 60°C (post-cooler discharge) |
| Cooling Water | Resilient-seated butterfly valve (EPDM); Carbon steel gate valve (ASME 150); Y-strainer | ASME B16.34AWWA C504 (butterfly)AWWA C509 (gate)EN 1171 (CI gate valves) | 1–16 bar 10–50°C (open circuit); up to 90°C (closed loop) |
| Demineralised Water (DM Water / Deionised Water) | Ball Valve (SS 316L, full-bore, PTFE seats); Diaphragm Valve (SS 316L body, EPDM or PTFE diaphragm); Globe Valve (SS 316L) | ASME B16.34ASME B31.1 (power piping)ISPE Baseline Guide (pharmaceutical) | 3–120 bar (boiler feedwater up to drum pressure) Ambient to 250°C (boiler feedwater at operating temperature) |
| Glycerine / Glycerol (C₃H₈O₃) | Ball Valve (SS 316L, full bore); Diaphragm Valve (SS 316L, PTFE diaphragm); Globe Valve (SS 316L) | USP Class VI (pharmaceutical)ISO 9001:2015ASME BPE (biopharma)FSSAI (food-grade) | 1–10 barg 25–80°C (process); up to 120°C (sterilisation/SIP) |
| High-Pressure Steam | Globe valve (OS&Y, rising stem); Gate valve (rising stem, OS&Y); Check valve (swing or piston type) | ASME B31.1 - Power pipingASME B16.34 - Valve P-T ratingsASME Section I / VIII - Safety valve certificationAPI 623 - Steel globe valves | 1–300 bar 100–650°C |
| Hot Water (District Heating / Process Hot Water) | Gate Valve (ductile iron / WCB, flanged); Ball Valve (WCB or ductile iron); Butterfly Valve (ductile iron, EPDM seat) | EN 14336 (district heating valves)ASME B16.34EN 1092-1 (European flanges)DIN 4747 (district heating) | 6–25 barg 60–180°C |
| MEG / Glycol (Monoethylene Glycol - Gas Dehydration) | Ball Valve (SS 316 body, PTFE seats); Globe Valve (SS 316, CV-characterised); Check Valve (SS 316, spring-loaded piston) | ASME B16.34NACE MR0175 (sour gas co-service)API 6D (pipeline service) | Up to 400 bar for deepwater injection; 10–50 bar for onshore pipeline injection −40°C (sub-sea pipeline) to +190°C (TEG regeneration) |
| Nitrogen (N₂) | Ball Valve (floating or trunnion); Needle Valve; Gate Valve | ASME B16.34API 6DISO 9001:2015NFPA 50B (Gaseous Hydrogen) | 5–350 barg (atmospheric to high-pressure GAN) −196°C (LN₂) to +150°C (heated nitrogen) |
| Vacuum Service | Gate Valve (OS&Y, pressure-seal bonnet for high-temp vacuum); Globe Valve; Butterfly Valve (large-bore, high-performance) | ASME B16.34API 600 (refinery vacuum gate valves)ASME Section VIII (vacuum vessels)IBR (vacuum steam boilers) | 0.001–101 kPa absolute (deep vacuum to near-atmospheric) Ambient (pharma freeze-drying) to 420°C (refinery crude vacuum unit) |
Reviewed by Materials Engineering, Vajra Industrial SolutionsDiscipline: Valve Metallurgy & Materials SelectionLast reviewed: 20 June 2026
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