What type of valve should be used when the pressure to be regulated is relatively low and tight shutoff is not important?

• A. Globe valve
• B. Slide valve
• C. Ball valve
• D. Gate valve

Answer: (B)

When the goal is to regulate pressure rather than to isolate flow, you want a valve that can be adjusted smoothly across a range of openings. A slide valve achieves this with a sliding gate that progressively exposes more or less of the bore, giving predictable, easy-to-control changes in flow at relatively low pressures. Because tight shutoff isn’t required here, the emphasis is on controllability over a full range of openings, not on sealing performance. The other valves are more suited to on-off isolation (gate or ball) or have throttling characteristics that are less linear and require more effort to maintain precise control (globe). So, the slide valve provides the simplest, most controllable way to regulate flow when low-pressure regulation and non-tight shutoff are acceptable.