What is a Control Valve? Types, Applications, and the Masoneilan Difference

Short answer: A control valve is a powered device that regulates the flow of fluids, gases, or steam within a process system by responding to a control signal from a control system. By adjusting its position in response to those signals, a control valve modifies flow rate, pressure, or temperature to keep a process operating within the parameters required. In industrial settings, the control valve is often called the “final control element” because it is the last point at which a control loop acts on a process before the result is measured and evaluated.

Control valves receive signals from Distributed Control Systems (DCS) or Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), repositioning themselves in real time to maintain setpoints. This closed-loop function is what makes a properly specified and maintained flow control valve essential to process stability, operational efficiency, and plant safety.

At Chalmers & Kubeck, we supply and service the Baker Hughes Masoneilan line, one of the most trusted names in control valve technology for over a century. The Masoneilan portfolio gives our clients access to a wide range of different types of valves, actuators, instrumentation, and smart technology designed to meet demanding process conditions across many industries.

Types of Masoneilan Control Valves

Masoneilan manufactures control valves in both reciprocating (linear) and rotary configurations for both general purpose and severe service applications, ensuring that the right valve is available for virtually any application.

Reciprocating Globe-Style Valves

Reciprocating globe-style valves are the workhorses of precision pressure control. The Masoneilan 21000 Series top-guided globe control valve is a highly versatile unbalanced trim design suited for high-pressure and dirty fluid applications. For high-pressure drop conditions that require balanced trim and stable operation, the 41005 Series cage-guided globe valve provides reliable performance under demanding process conditions. When an application involves micro-flow or very low capacity requirements, the 28000 Series Varipak globe-style valve offers precise throttling with an integrated valve actuator design.

For applications requiring flow diversion or combining, the 80000 Series two-way valve or three-way globe control valve handles either function within a single, simply constructed valve body. The 84000 Series SteamForm valve addresses the specialized demands of steam conditioning, including applications involving heat exchanger systems — providing both pressure reduction and temperature control with low noise trim and a patented water injection system.

Rotary Valves

Rotary valves are the right choice for larger pipelines and applications demanding high flow capacity. The 35002 Series Camflex rotary control valve features a low-friction eccentric plug design for precise throttling in a compact assembly, and it is among the first valves ever designed to serve as a true universal control valve. The 36005 V-Max high capacity control ball valve uses a patented dual-characterized segmented ball design with an equal percentage characteristic that scales Cv ratings to accommodate high-volume gas flow with a 500:1 turndown ratio. The 31000 Series rotary valve takes corrosion resistance further with a PFA-lined assembly, making it well suited for aggressive fluid applications.

Butterfly Valves

For butterfly valve applications, the Masoneilan line includes conventional butterfly valves for economical flow control with tight shut-off in the closed position, and high performance butterfly valves for heavy-duty automatic throttling in large flow rate scenarios with moderate pressure drops.

Severe Service Control Valves

Standard control valves are not built for every environment. Processes involving erosive fluids, extreme pressures, cavitation risk, or high noise levels require purpose-engineered solutions. The Masoneilan severe service portfolio addresses these conditions directly.

Anti-Cavitation and High Pressure Drop

The 49000 Series V-LOG low-noise anti-cavitation valve handles high-pressure drops with up to 36 stages of pressure reduction via stacked disk trim, making it well-suited for applications where noise and cavitation are primary concerns. The 77000 Series multi-stage high-pressure valve reduces erosion, vibration, degassing, and noise in applications involving compressible fluids or two-phase flow. The LincolnLog 78400/18400 Series uses an axial flow design with a tortuous path to distribute flow rate change along the plug axis, reducing cavitation while offering multi-stage pressure reduction in a single valve body.

Erosive Service Applications

The 71000 Series erosive service valve is a sweep angle design built for highly erosive process fluids, combining a contoured body shape with hardened trim materials for extended service life. The 73000 Series sweep angle valve is purpose-built for erosive conditions found in gasification processes.

Masoneilan Smart Technology and Instrumentation

A control valve is only as effective as its instrumentation. Masoneilan’s smart technology and instrumentation product lines ensure that valves communicate accurately and respond precisely to control system signals.

Digital Positioners

The SVI II AP Performance Digital Positioner is an intelligent smart positioner with advanced control technology and a non-contact Hall Effect sensor that provides high precision and ease of calibration for pneumatic actuator-driven valves. The FVP Fieldbus Valve Positioner rounds out the digital offering as a Foundation Fieldbus-certified digital positioner and PID process controller.

Safety and Emergency Shutdown

For safety-critical applications, the SVI II ESD Emergency Shutdown Device captures shutdown events and maintains continuous HART communications during a trip, supporting reliable safety instrumented system function.

Control Valve Diagnostics and Lifecycle Support

Selecting the right control valve is only part of the equation. Ongoing diagnostics and maintenance are what keep valves performing at design specifications over their full service life. As a member of the Masoneilan Authorized Repair Center (MARC) network, Chalmers & Kubeck provides comprehensive lifecycle support for every Masoneilan valve we supply.

Our MARC-certified facilities are staffed with factory-trained technicians who have passed both written and practical examinations. Services available through C&K include control valve diagnostics using the ValScope Pro diagnostic system, commissioning and startup support, asset management through ValvKeep valve management software, conversion of analog equipment to digital, hot swap positioner replacement, mobile repair trailers, and valve life extension through refurbishment, upgrades, and optimization. Our facilities comply with relevant ASME, ANSI, and ISA standards, and we maintain an extensive inventory of genuine Masoneilan parts. When a specific part is not on hand, our MARC network connections give us access to inventory across certified facilities.

Work With a Trusted Masoneilan Distributor and Repair Center

When it comes to Masoneilan control valves, few partners in the industry can match the depth of expertise and service capability that Chalmers & Kubeck brings to every client relationship. As an authorized Masoneilan distributor and MARC-certified repair facility, C&K combines direct access to the full Masoneilan product portfolio with factory-trained technicians, an extensive genuine parts inventory, and a full suite of lifecycle services that most distributors simply cannot offer.

Our facilities are annually audited and certified to ASME, ANSI, and ISA standards, so clients can be confident that every valve we touch meets the quality and performance benchmarks Masoneilan demands. From initial valve sizing and selection through commissioning, diagnostics, and long-term maintenance planning, C&K is the single source of support your facility needs to keep Masoneilan control valves performing at their best. Contact us today to discuss your application, request sizing data, or connect with one of our control valve specialists.