• SPECIAL TOPIC: CONTROL & SMART VALVES •
As digital positioner technology evolves, with edge computing and tighter integration with plant control systems, the gap between traditional control valve types and quarter-turn alternatives will continue to narrow. The technology already exists. What remains is broader awareness that non-lubricated plug valves are more than isolation devices.
Conclusion Non-lubricated sleeved plug valves have earned a reputation for reliability in corrosive on / off service. With V-port, soundtrim and linear trim options, that same platform extends into modulating control duty. Paired with smart positioners, these valves deliver characterized flow control, low-emission stem sealing, and PTFE sleeve corrosion protection, all in a package that is straightforward to maintain.
The best control valve for a given service is not always the one the handbook defaults to. It is the one that delivers the required process performance at the lowest total lifecycle cost.
•
• ABOUT THE AUTHOR •
CFD simulation of flow through a sleeved plug valve at partial opening, showing velocity distribution and pressure recovery patterns.
Arun Kumar Krishnan is a senior mechanical design engineer at Flowserve Corporation, specializing in the design and development of plug-and-butterfly valves for chemical and industrial applications. With more than 11 years of experience in valve design, engineering calculations, new product development, and FEA / CFD analysis, he holds a Bachelor of Engineering( B. E.) degree in Mechatronics Engineering.
20 Valve World Americas | May 2026 | www. valve-world-americas. com