What type of valve is commonly used for regulating flow in a pipeline?

A control valve is specifically designed for regulating flow in a pipeline. These valves can be adjusted to maintain a desired flow rate, pressure, or temperature by varying the size of the flow passage. They often include features such as actuators and sensors that enable automatic or remote operation, making them ideal for complex process control scenarios.

Control valves are critical in processes where it is important to maintain constant flow conditions, such as in chemical production or water treatment facilities. Their design allows for fine control over the flow variable, which is essential for optimizing processes and ensuring safety.

While ball valves, gate valves, and check valves serve their own important functions—such as stopping flow, providing on/off service, and preventing backflow respectively—they do not offer the same level of flow regulation and control that a control valve provides. This distinction makes the control valve the appropriate choice for applications requiring precise flow management.