What is a Brass Gas Valve?
A brass gas valve (Brass Valve) is one of the important types of valves used for controlling the flow of gas. The use of brass metal ensures that these valves have excellent durability and resistance. Easy installation, optimal performance, and a wide range of sizes are other advantages of brass gas valves.
In this article, we aim to examine the characteristics and applications of brass gas valves. We will also take a brief look at the factors affecting the price of brass gas valves and the best brands of these types of valves.
Gas valves are among the practical valves used to control the flow of gas. These valves are made from various materials such as cast iron, steel, and brass. The brass type is one of the most commonly used and best-selling types of gas valves due to its quality and reasonable price.
Interestingly, brass gas valves are also known as brass ball valves. This is because of the spherical seat present in the body structure of this type of valve. The connection of the brass ball valve is threaded and NPT type.
Operation of Brass Gas Valves
Brass gas valves are used to either open or close the flow and operate in a binary manner. That is, the flow is either completely open or completely closed. This action is performed by the ball designed within the valve body. The ball obstructs the flow path, causing it to close. When the ball’s hole is aligned with the flow path, the valve is open, and the flow is allowed.
Applications of Brass Gas Valves
Brass gas valves have numerous and diverse applications. The most important ones include:
- Used in building facilities and domestic applications
- Commonly used in boiler rooms, piping installations, and industrial applications
- Applications in factories and workshops
- Used in radiators to control the flow of water
- Suitable for petrochemical, oil, and gas industries.
The Importance of Standards in Manufacturing Brass Gas Valves
An important point in the manufacturing of various brass gas valves is the precise adherence to international standards. Due to the sensitivities of brass metal, brass products must be manufactured with greater care. ISIRI 4047 and ISIRI 3664 are two key standards for using brass gas valves in gas installations.
Advantages of Brass Gas Valves
The main advantages of brass gas valves include:
- High diversity in size and dimension of brass valves
- Good resistance to corrosion with complete sealing
- Excellent flexibility and relatively low weight
- Ease of installation and use of various types of brass gas valves
- Satisfactory performance and quick opening and closing of gas flow
- Various well-made domestic and foreign brands
- High durability even after frequent use
- Reasonable price of brass gas valves
Disadvantages of Brass Gas Valves
One major disadvantage of brass gas valves is water trapping in the ball valve when the flow is closed. In simpler terms, water remains in the valve body when the flow is closed. As a result, freezing can damage the structure and functionality of the brass gas valve. This issue can be mitigated by insulation or using freeze-resistant plugs.
Sizes of Brass Gas Valves
Due to their extensive application, brass gas valves are designed and produced in various small and large sizes. This diversity in size allows for the use of these types of valves for various domestic and industrial applications.
Commonly used sizes include brass gas valves of 1/2 inch, 3/4 inch, 1 inch, and 2 inches. Brass gas valves of 3 inches, 4 inches, etc., are also available for high-pressure and industrial applications.
Types of Brass Gas Valves
Brass gas valves can be classified based on various factors. Body shape, working pressure, and control method are the most important ones.
Based on body shape, brass gas valves can be divided into several categories. It should be noted that body shape does not affect the performance of the valves; rather, it changes the way they connect within the system. Accordingly, the types of brass gas valves based on body shape include:
- Brass gas valve with one-piece body
- Brass gas valve with three-piece body
- Brass gas valve with multi-piece body
- Brass gas valve with welded body
- Brass gas valve with top-entry body
Among these, the 2-inch brass gas valve with one, two, and three-piece bodies is more commonly used.
Brass gas valves are used to control the flow of gas. Hence, flow pressure is an important factor for the resistance and performance of the valve. In this regard, brass gas valves can be categorized into low-pressure and high-pressure types.
- Low-pressure brass gas valve for pressures (pounds per square inch) up to 3000 PSI
- High-pressure brass gas valve for pressures up to 15000 PSI and high-pressure systems like hydraulic systems
The control method and usage of the brass gas valve can also vary. From this perspective, brass gas valves can be classified into two categories:
- Manually controlled brass gas valve (with lever)
- Remotely controlled brass gas valve
Brass Gas Valve Manufacturers
Today, various domestic and international companies are engaged in the production and sale of brass gas valves. CIM Italy, KITZ Japan, and some Chinese brands are among the most important foreign brands in the production of brass valves. Aleishir Brass Gas Valve can also be mentioned as one of the leading and well-known Iranian brands.
Unreliable brands use inferior materials and metals in the manufacture of valves. These materials not only affect the performance of the valves but are also harmful to health. Because they often contain hazardous materials such as lead and zamak. Therefore, when purchasing brass gas valves and other industrial valves, be sure to pay attention to the credibility of the brand and the authenticity of the product.
Price of Brass Gas Valves
One of the main differences between various brass gas valves is their purchase price. If you look at the price list of brass valves, you will notice significant price differences. The reason is the influence of numerous parameters on the price of valves. In this regard, the most important factors affecting the price of brass gas valves are:
Type of Alloy and Brass Used
The type of material and quality of the brass used significantly impact the quality of the gas valve construction. Consequently, the price of the gas valve is also affected by the quality of the materials used. Remember, superior materials not only contribute to quality but also play a significant role in health. Inferior materials like lead can threaten health.
Shape and Structure of Brass Gas Valves
Brass gas valves are produced and marketed in various shapes. One-piece and two-piece brass valves are commonly used. The shape and structure of the valve have little impact on its performance but differ in how they connect and position within piping systems and installations.
Size of Gas Valves
Brass valves are available in various sizes. Naturally, the price of a 3/4 inch gas valve will differ from a 2-inch brass gas valve. This is because the amount of material used and the valve structure vary. The 1-inch and 2-inch brass gas valves are among the commonly used and best-selling in the market.
Source: jamsteelco
