Choosing the Right Swagelok Needle Valve: Guidelines and 3 Examples

Today we focus on selecting needle valves, taking into consideration general and severe service valves along with the various stem tips available. A new video from Swagelok shows the design differences. We include links to download literature with further details and Swagelok Edmonton is happy to lend a hand with product selection.

Swagelok needle and metering valves feature straight-pattern or angle-pattern flow for low- and high-pressure service, in both brass and 316 stainless steel materials. Every metering valve is factory tested with nitrogen at 1000 psig, and shell tested.

Precisely which needle valve is appropriate for your application depends a lot on the specific requirements of the system and the preferences of the user. But let's look at how to narrow down the options.

There are two main types of needle valves to consider: general service valves and severe service valves.

General service needle valves

General service valves feature a forged body design, with the packing positioned high on the stem, resulting in exposed stem threads to the system media.

This aspect is crucial to consider for these valves. They offer three stem tip options:

1. Soft seat for environments where the risk of stem tip damage is a concern
2. V stem tip for improved regulation
3. Regulating stem tip for precise control, requiring more turns to operate but providing the finest regulation

An alternative option is the toggle valve, designed for situations requiring rapid opening and closing or when the valve needs to be left fully open.

Severe service needle valves

Our severe service valves are constructed from solid bar stock and feature a union bonnet design that prevents accidental disassembly. Their design keeps the packing below the stem threads, protecting the lubricant from system media.

The standard stem tip for these valves is a ball stem tip that rotates within the stem tip to minimize wear during operation. A regulating stem tip is also available for these valves for enhanced control.

A video from Swagelok steps through needle valve selection considerations:

This Swagelok video touches on general service valves, stem tips, regulation tips, and design features of severe service valves. Catalogues are available at the Swagelok Valves page here at our website. We also suggest our free Valve Selection & Sizing Resource Collection, which includes the Swagelok tutorial "Matching Valve Type to Function".

Getting help with valves

Field Advisory Services

Swagelok Edmonton offers experts trained to help customers take action on fluid system challenges. If you'd like to double-check your selection with our advisors, we are here to help. You can also talk with our Field Advisory team about analytical instrumentation, compressed gas leaks, seal flush systems, applications support, and more.

Swagelok Valve Assemblies

Some customers opt to get a fully built assembly that includes the right valve(s). The Custom Solutions team here at Swagelok Edmonton builds analytical subsystems, gas distribution systems, grab sampling systems, hose assemblies, regulator assemblies, and much more. Your assembly arrives ready to install, and is covered by the same warranty as our individual parts. Projects include design support, parts, fabrication, assembly, testing, documentation, and installation support.

Valve Selection & Sizing Best Practices Resource Collection Includes STAMPED Method of Valve Selection Technical Briefing Video, a pocket guide, Matching Valve Type to Function tutorial, and other resources.

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