Globe valves are a type of control valve used to stop, start and regulate the flow of media through a pipe. From the outside, they have a spherical body design; inside, a plug-like disc sits on the end of a threaded rotating stem, which raises and lowers to control media flow. Globe valves are part of the linear motion valve family, which means that the valve mechanism moves along a straight line.
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Globe valves provide a tight seal with low chances of leakage, which is why they are a common choice in high-pressure, industrial piping systems.
How Do Globe Valves Work?
Globe valves are designed so that the media flowing through them does not travel in a straight line. Rather than encountering a perpendicular blockage at the valve, the media must take a slight vertical detour up through the valve cavity, where it meets the plug disc. As the valve stem is turned via wheel and raises to allow media through, the disc moves parallel to the flow. The position of the stem tells operators whether the valve is open or closed.
This vertical movement is what enables the globe valve to regulate media flow, rather than simply stopping or starting it. The distance between the disc and the seat determines the flow rate: the farther apart the disc and seat are, the higher the volume of media passing through. Globe valves are ideal for throttling, or regulating the flow of media while in a partially open position, and make starting and stopping flow less abrupt which can help prevent water hammer.
Because their design forces media to change direction (horizontal to vertical), globe valves create a high-pressure drop. They are best used in applications that require only unidirectional flow, where massive changes in pressure are not an issue and where safety and leakage are primary concerns. Globe valves are often found in piping systems that transport corrosive, viscous, highly pressurized or extremely hot or cold media.
Most of the working parts of a globe valve lie inside the cavity, and access to the internal components is through the top; this is known as top-entry design.
Picking the right components can make a significant difference in how well an HVAC system runs. Among these components, Globe Valves and Ball Valves often play a key role. Globe Valves are especially useful when precise flow control is required, whereas Ball Valves are ideally suited for applications requiring quick opening and tight close-off. In this blog, we'll break down the differences between these two valves, how they work, and where they’re commonly found in HVAC systems.
Ball Valves
A Ball Valve controls the flow of fluid using a rotary ball with a hole running through the center. When the valve is open, the hole is aligned with the pipeline, which allows the flow to pass. When it's closed, the hole is perpendicular to the flow, stopping the passage of fluid. A Ball Valve uses the rotation of the ball (increasing and decreasing its opening) to control the flow.
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Most of the time, Ball Valves are used for chilled or hot water with up to 60% glycol concentration. They can be used for water-side control of air handling units in ventilation and air-conditioning systems, and water/steam control in heating systems.
Belimo offers a full line of industrial 2-way & 3-way Ball Valves that are available with non-spring return, spring return or electronic fail-safe actuators offering high close-off capabilities. The actuators operate using a standard voltage, allowing for on/off, modulating, or floating-point control, which moves the valve to the position specified by the control system.
Ball Valves such as the Belimo QCV and PIQCV are specially designed zone valves that are known for their reliability, cost-effectiveness, and easy installation. The Belimo CCV integrates the robust close-off functions of a Ball Valve with a specialized disc, ensuring an equal percentage flow characteristic for consistently accurate flow control. Less expensive Ball Valves are a common choice for shut-off valves due their ability to provide a quick and tight seal with a low pressure drop.
Globe Valves
A Globe Valve is comprised of a linear travel plug which fits into a seat enclosed within a spherical body, which is where it gets its name. The flow is adjusted by moving the plug up or down, in proximity to the seat. When fully closed, the plug seals off the flow. Globe Valves are used in HVAC systems to regulate, throttle, or isolate flow. They are especially useful when precise flow control is needed, such as in hot water heating systems, steam systems, or in chillers where modulating flow is important for system performance.
Belimo offers Globe Valves in a range of sizes from ½” to 6”, which meet both ANSI 125 and ANSI 250 standards. They are available with bronze or stainless-steel trim options and can be equipped with spring return, non-spring return, or electronic fail-safe actuators. Belimo Globe Valves are ideally suited for HVAC devices, including air handling units, terminal equipment, and hydronic systems operating in primary and secondary loops for water or steam service.
The choice between a Globe Valve and a Ball Valve depends on the specific needs of the application, but in general, for precise flow control, a Globe Valve is preferable, while for on/off operations or where a minimal pressure drop is desired, a Ball Valve is more suitable. Also, Globe Valves can be more expensive than Ball Valves, which too is a consideration.
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