Gas control equipment – find manufacturers and suppliers

Gas control equipment controls, regulates, safeguards and monitors the flow of gaseous media in pipelines, systems and gas-consuming equipment.

It is used to open or close gas lines, adjust gas pressure, prevent backflow and safely interrupt the gas supply in the event of a fault.
Depending on the application, gas control equipment is used for natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, biogas, hydrogen, technical gases or other suitable gaseous media.
Typical applications include gas supply networks, heating systems, industrial firing systems, burner installations, process plants, laboratory installations and technical gas supply systems.
Gas control equipment includes manually operated shut-off devices, electrically or pneumatically actuated valves, pressure control devices, safety devices, filters and complete gas trains.
The following provides an overview of typical types, applications, advantages, limitations and important selection criteria for gas control equipment.

Types of gas control equipment

Gas shut-off valves

Gas shut-off valves open or close the gas flow in a pipeline.
They are used for regular switching operations, maintenance work and the safe isolation of individual sections of a system.
Depending on the design, they are operated manually, electrically, pneumatically or hydraulically.
For safety-related applications, tightness, closing time and reliable position indication are particularly important.

Gas ball valves

Gas ball valves shut off the gas flow using a ball with a central bore.
A rotation of 90 degrees allows rapid and complete opening or closing.
They are characterised by low flow resistance and compact designs.
Gas ball valves are frequently used in building installations, supply lines, industrial systems and gas trains.

Gas control valves

Gas control valves adjust the gas flow according to a specified setpoint.
They are used to continuously adapt burner output, process conditions or pressure ratios.
Actuation is usually provided by electric or pneumatic actuators.
The valve characteristic, control range and response time must suit the respective control task.

Gas solenoid valves

Gas solenoid valves open or close the gas flow by means of an electromagnetic actuator.
They are frequently used for automatic switching and safety functions.
Depending on the design, they are normally closed or normally open.
In burner systems, they are used to interrupt the gas supply quickly if approval is absent or a fault is detected.

Gas safety valves

Gas safety valves protect pipelines and systems against impermissible operating conditions.
They can close or open automatically in the event of overpressure, underpressure, flame failure or other defined faults.
Different valve designs are used depending on the required protective function.
Trip pressure, switching behaviour and reset method must be matched to the safety concept of the system.

Gas pressure regulators

Gas pressure regulators reduce a fluctuating inlet pressure to a largely constant outlet pressure.
They ensure that downstream burners, appliances and control components operate within their permissible pressure range.
Depending on the application, single-stage or multi-stage regulators as well as direct-acting or pilot-operated designs are used.
Flow capacity, inlet pressure range, outlet pressure and control accuracy are important design parameters.

Gas pressure reducers

Gas pressure reducers lower the pressure from gas cylinders, tanks or supply lines to the required operating pressure.
They are used particularly for liquefied petroleum gases and technical gases.
Some designs are equipped with pressure gauges, shut-off valves or safety devices.
The pressure reducer must be explicitly suitable for the gas type, cylinder pressure and required flow rate.

Gas check valves

Gas check valves permit flow in one specified direction only.
They prevent gas or other media from flowing back into the supply line.
Such valves are used, for example, in mixing systems, fuel gas lines and technical gas installations.
Opening pressure, flow direction and tightness must suit the application.

Gas excess-flow valves

Gas excess-flow valves respond to unusually high gas flow rates, such as those caused by a line rupture or major leak.
They automatically close or restrict the gas flow.
Once the cause has been eliminated, they are reset manually or automatically depending on the design.
The device must be sized according to nominal flow, pipe dimensions and operating pressure.

Gas filters

Gas filters remove particles, rust, dust and other solid contaminants from the gas flow.
They protect pressure regulators, valves, measuring instruments and burners against wear and malfunction.
Filter fineness and dirt-holding capacity must suit the gas quality and the system.
An increasing pressure drop can indicate a contaminated filter element.

Gas pressure switches

Gas pressure switches monitor whether the gas pressure remains within a defined range.
They generate a switching signal when an upper or lower pressure limit is reached.
In burner systems, they can prevent operation if the gas pressure is insufficient or excessive.
Switching range, accuracy, reset behaviour and electrical connection must suit the control system.

Valve proving systems

Valve proving systems check the tightness of automatic shut-off valves before or after burner operation.
They detect whether gas is passing through a valve that should be closed.
If an impermissible leakage rate is identified, the burner start is prevented or the system is shut down.
The proving system must be matched to the valve arrangement, test volume and operating pressure.

Gas trains

Gas trains combine several control and safety components into one functional unit.
Typical components include filters, pressure regulators, shut-off valves, solenoid valves, pressure switches and valve proving systems.
They prepare and safeguard the gas supply for burners, boilers or industrial consumers.
The entire assembly must be matched to the system in terms of flow, pressure, switching sequence and safety requirements.

Applications of gas control equipment

Gas supply networks

In gas supply networks, gas control equipment is used to shut off, regulate and safeguard sections of pipelines.
It enables maintenance work, network switching and the limitation of pressure and flow.
High tightness, mechanical strength and a long service life are particularly important.
Depending on the installation location, the components must be suitable for underground installation, outdoor use or installation inside buildings.

Heating and boiler systems

In heating systems, gas control equipment manages the gas supply to boilers, burners and heat generators.
Solenoid valves, pressure regulators, filters and safety devices frequently form a coordinated gas train.
If the flame fails or a fault occurs, the gas supply must be interrupted safely.
The components must suit the fuel, output range and control system of the installation.

Industrial burners and firing systems

Gas control equipment supplies industrial burners in furnaces, dryers, heat treatment systems and process firing installations.
It regulates the gas flow and performs safety-related shut-off and monitoring functions.
In modulating burners, control valves and actuators must precisely cover the required output range.
Temperature, switching cycles and process conditions influence the selection of the components.

Industrial process plants

In process plants, gas control equipment is used for fuel gases, shielding gases, inert gases and reaction gases.
It meters, distributes, regulates or shuts off gaseous media in pipelines and equipment.
Depending on the process, gas purity, chemical resistance and leakage rate may impose particularly high requirements.
Suitable materials and sealing systems are required for aggressive or high-purity gases.

Liquefied petroleum gas systems

In liquefied petroleum gas systems, gas control equipment regulates the transfer from the tank or gas cylinder to the consumer.
Pressure reducers, shut-off valves, hose rupture protection devices and check valves are typical components.
The vaporisation characteristics of the liquefied gas and the operating pressure must be considered.
All components must be approved for propane, butane or the gas mixture being used.

Technical gas supply

Technical gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, argon, carbon dioxide or hydrogen place different demands on gas control equipment.
Gas type, purity, pressure and chemical properties determine the materials and designs.
For oxygen, special requirements apply to cleanliness and material compatibility.
For hydrogen, the small molecular size and possible embrittlement of certain materials are relevant.

Laboratory and test systems

In laboratories and test systems, gas control equipment is used for the precise metering and safe distribution of small gas flows.
It supplies measuring instruments, reactors, analytical systems and test assemblies.
Compact dimensions, good controllability and low internal volumes can be important.
For toxic, flammable or high-purity gases, particular requirements apply to tightness and materials.

Advantages of gas control equipment

• Safe opening and closing of gas lines
• Precise regulation of gas pressure and gas flow
• Automatic shut-off possible in the event of faults
• Protection of downstream devices and system components
• Manual, electric and pneumatic actuation available
• Wide range of pressure ratings, nominal sizes and materials
• Integration into automated control and safety systems
• Versions available for natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas and technical gases
• Compact combination of several functions in gas trains
• Monitoring of pressure, flow, tightness and valve position possible

Limitations of gas control equipment

• All components must be designed precisely for the gas type, pressure and temperature.
• Unsuitable materials or seals can be damaged by the medium.
• Contamination can impair valve seats, regulators, filters and moving components.
• Leaks can create fire, explosion or health hazards.
• Undersized components cause high pressure losses.
• Oversized control valves can be difficult to adjust accurately.
• Solenoid valves, actuators and monitoring devices require a suitable energy supply.
• Frequent switching cycles can increase wear.
• Pressure regulators can be sensitive to unsuitable installation conditions or pulsating flow.
• Some components may only be adjusted or serviced by qualified personnel.
• Additional requirements apply to oxygen, hydrogen and other special gases.
• Standard industrial components are not automatically suitable for safety-related gas applications.

Important selection criteria for gas control equipment

Gas type

The intended gas type is the most important selection criterion.
Natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, biogas, hydrogen, oxygen and other technical gases differ in their physical and chemical properties.
The housing, seals, lubricants and internal components must be explicitly suitable for the respective medium.

Operating pressure

The permissible operating pressure of every component must safely cover the maximum possible system pressure.
In addition to normal working pressure, pressure peaks and fault conditions must be considered.
For pressure regulators, the inlet pressure range, outlet pressure and permissible pressure fluctuations are also relevant.

Nominal size and flow rate

The nominal size must suit the required gas flow and the pipeline.
A component that is too small causes high flow velocities and pressure losses.
An excessively large control valve may operate within an unfavourable control range.
Manufacturer data and actual operating conditions should be used for sizing.

Pressure drop

Every component causes a pressure drop in the gas flow.
This must be considered when designing the complete gas line or gas train.
Filters, valves, regulators and other components can have a cumulative effect.
The remaining pressure must be sufficient for the downstream consumer.

Temperature range

Ambient and medium temperatures affect materials, seals and actuators.
Components for outdoor use must operate reliably even at low temperatures.
Higher temperatures may occur near burners, furnaces or hot processes.
The permissible temperature range must not be exceeded.

Materials

Gas control equipment is made from materials including brass, steel, stainless steel, aluminium or cast iron.
The material selection depends on the gas type, pressure, temperature and ambient conditions.
Special materials or surface treatments may be required for corrosive or high-purity gases.
Material compatibility must be checked particularly carefully for oxygen and hydrogen.

Sealing materials

Seals must be resistant to the gas, temperature and possible accompanying substances.
Elastomers can swell, become brittle or lose their sealing effect.
Metallic or specially coated sealing systems may be used for high temperatures or special media.
The permissible leakage rate must suit the application.

Connection type

Gas control components are available with threaded, flanged, compression, welded or other connections.
The connection type must suit the pipeline, pressure rating and installation situation.
Detachable connections can be advantageous for maintenance and replacement.
All connections must remain permanently gas-tight.

Actuation type

Manual devices are suitable for occasional switching operations and maintenance isolation.
Electric, pneumatic or hydraulic actuators enable automated processes and remote operation.
Actuating time, fail-safe behaviour and the available energy supply must be considered.
A defined fail position is often required for safety functions.

Closing and opening function

For automatically actuated valves, it must be defined which position they assume in the event of energy failure.
Normally closed valves interrupt the gas flow when no power is available.
Normally open versions are used only for specific process tasks.
The correct function is determined by the safety analysis of the system.

Switching time

The switching time determines how quickly the gas supply is opened or interrupted.
Short closing times may be required for safety shut-offs.
However, opening too quickly can cause pressure surges or unstable burner starts.
The switching characteristic must be coordinated with the control system, pipeline and consumer.

Tightness

Shut-off components must achieve the required internal tightness in the closed position.
The external tightness of housings, diaphragms and connections is equally important.
The permissible leakage rate depends on gas type, pressure and application.
Particularly low leakage rates may be required for hazardous or high-purity gases.

Control accuracy

The required accuracy must be defined for pressure and flow control applications.
Control valves and pressure regulators must respond quickly enough to load changes.
Hysteresis, response pressure and control deviation influence operating behaviour.
Accurate manufacturer performance curves are important for sensitive processes.

Safety function

The intended protective function of each safety component must be clearly defined.
Examples include emergency shut-off, pressure limitation, backflow protection, valve tightness monitoring and protection against line rupture.
The components must interact correctly with sensors, controls and other protective devices.
The safety functions must be tested and documented regularly.

Installation position

Some gas control components may only be installed in specified positions.
This applies particularly to pressure regulators, solenoid valves and devices with moving internal components.
An incorrect installation position can impair control behaviour, wear or tightness.
The direction of flow and the manufacturer's installation instructions must be observed.

Ambient conditions

Moisture, dust, vibration, corrosion and explosive atmospheres can influence selection.
Suitable housings and protection ratings are required for outdoor or industrial environments.
Electrical actuators, sensors and connection boxes must also be suitable for the surroundings.

Maintenance and spare parts

Gas control equipment must be inspected regularly depending on its design and application.
Filter elements, seals, valve seats, diaphragms, sensors and actuators can wear or become contaminated.
Good accessibility facilitates inspection, cleaning and replacement.
Spare parts availability, documentation and qualified service support are important procurement criteria.

Summary

Gas control equipment performs shut-off, control, pressure reduction, safety, filtration and monitoring functions in gas-carrying pipelines and systems.
Typical components include gas shut-off valves, gas ball valves, solenoid valves, pressure regulators, check valves, safety valves, filters, pressure switches, valve proving systems and complete gas trains.
It is used in gas supply networks, heating systems, industrial burners, process plants, liquefied petroleum gas systems and technical gas supply systems.
The main selection criteria include gas type, operating pressure, nominal size, flow rate, materials, tightness, actuation type and safety function.
For reliable operation, all components must be matched technically and in terms of safety to the respective system and medium.

Gas control equipment is available from various manufacturers and suppliers. Comprehensive information about manufacturers and suppliers of gas control equipment from around the world can be found on Exportpages.