What is a control valve's primary function?

The primary function of a control valve is to regulate the flow of fluids in a system. Control valves are designed to adjust the flow rate of the process fluid, allowing for precise control over various parameters such as pressure, temperature, and flow rate throughout the system. By altering the size of the opening through which the fluid can pass, control valves respond to signals from controllers based on feedback from sensors, thus maintaining the desired operational conditions.

While measurement and control of temperature, pressure, and shutdowns are critical to process safety and efficiency, these tasks are usually performed by dedicated instruments (like temperature sensors or pressure switches) or safety systems rather than the control valve itself. The essence of a control valve lies in its ability to modulate fluid flow in accordance with the needs of the overall process, making it a key component in process control systems.