What is the primary purpose of a control valve?

The primary purpose of a control valve is to regulate flow and pressure within a system. Control valves play a crucial role in process control systems by adjusting the flow of fluids—liquids or gases—based on the input signals they receive from controllers. By modulating the opening and closing of the valve, they can ensure that the desired process conditions are maintained, such as achieving a specific flow rate or maintaining a certain pressure level.

This regulation is vital because maintaining the right flow and pressure helps to optimize the performance of industrial processes, ensuring safety, efficiency, and reliability. Properly functioning control valves help prevent issues such as overpressure, cavitation, or flow disruption, which can lead to equipment damage or unsafe conditions.

In contrast, measuring pressure and transmitting process signals are functions associated with sensors and transmitters, while converting energy from one form to another relates more to pumps or turbines, rather than the specific role of control valves in managing fluid dynamics.