What Is a Flow Control Valve?
A flow control valve is a gas control component used to regulate the flow of gas from a cylinder, aerosol package or gas source to downstream equipment.
In calibration gas applications, flow control valves are commonly used with gas detectors, industrial safety monitors, calibration caps, tubing and portable test gas systems. They help control gas delivery during calibration, bump testing and instrument checking.
The correct flow control valve should be selected based on inlet connection, outlet connection, working pressure, gas compatibility, body material, seal material and application.
Why Flow Control Valves Are Used in Calibration Gas Systems
Calibration gas is used to test, verify and calibrate gas detection instruments. To do this correctly, gas must be delivered from the cylinder or aerosol package to the detector in a controlled way.
A flow control valve allows the user to control gas flow from a compatible gas package. This can be useful for field calibration, bump testing, industrial safety monitor checks and portable gas testing applications.
Flow control valves are commonly used for:
- Gas detector calibration
- Gas detector bump testing
- Industrial safety monitors
- Portable calibration gas cylinders
- Aerosol calibration gas packages
- C10 calibration gas cylinders
- CGA600 calibration gas cylinders
- Gas detection service kits
- Laboratory test gas applications
- Environmental monitoring equipment
- Marine gas detection calibration
- Portable gas testing systems
How Does a Flow Control Valve Work?
A flow control valve connects to a gas cylinder, aerosol package or cylinder valve and controls gas flow through the outlet connection.
One side of the valve connects to the gas source, such as an aerosol package, C10 cylinder valve or CGA600 cylinder connection. The outlet side connects to tubing, a calibration cap, instrument adaptor or gas delivery setup.
Depending on the model, a flow control valve may include components such as:
- Brass or brass nickel plated body
- Brass spindle and nut
- Aluminium black anodised knob
- Acrylic flow meter
- Buna-N or Viton sealing
- Barb hose or FNPT outlet connection
Because flow control valves are pressure-containing components, they must be selected according to pressure, connection type and gas compatibility.
Flow Control Valve vs Regulator
Flow control valves and regulators are both used in gas control systems, but they serve different functions.
| Product Type | How It Works | Typical Use |
| Flow control valve | Controls gas flow through a valve arrangement | Calibration gas flow control and gas detector testing |
| Fixed flow regulator | Delivers one preset constant flow rate | Standard calibration kits and repeatable bump testing |
| Dial-a-Flow regulator | Allows selection from multiple preset flow rates | Applications requiring several flow settings |
| Demand flow regulator | Supplies gas only when the instrument demands flow | Pump-based gas detectors and sampling instruments |
A flow control valve is useful where the system requires direct control of gas flow from a compatible gas package, aerosol connection or cylinder connection.
Main Types of Flow Control Valves
Flow control valves are available in different configurations depending on the gas package, connection type and application.
Aerosol Flow Control Valves
Aerosol flow control valves are designed for aerosol inlet connections. They are used with compatible aerosol calibration gas packages and low-pressure portable gas testing applications.
C10 Flow Control Valves
C10 flow control valves are designed for C10 inlet connections, commonly used with portable calibration gas cylinders. These valves are suitable for gas detector calibration and bump testing where a C10 cylinder connection is required.
CGA600 Flow Control Valves
CGA600 flow control valves are used with compatible CGA600 calibration gas cylinders. They may be supplied with barb hose or threaded outlet configurations depending on the application.
S Flow Control Valves
S Flow-F1 and S Flow-F2 configurations are designed for portable calibration gas applications where an integrated flow meter style arrangement is required.
Aerosol Flow Control Valves
Aerosol flow control valves are commonly used with aerosol-style calibration gas packages and portable test gas systems.
They are typically selected for lower-pressure applications and compatible non-reactive gas mixtures.
When choosing an aerosol flow control valve, review:
- Aerosol inlet compatibility
- Working pressure
- Outlet connection
- Body material
- Seal material
- Flow control requirement
- Gas compatibility
The Oxford Valves OV-FCV-1000 Series includes aerosol flow control valve configurations with 3/16” barb hose outlet options.
C10 Flow Control Valves
C10 flow control valves are used with C10 cylinder valve connections. C10 connections are common in portable calibration gas cylinder systems.
A C10 flow control valve should be selected based on:
- C10 inlet connection
- Working pressure
- Outlet tubing requirement
- Gas detector or calibration cap setup
- Seal compatibility
- Gas mixture
- Application pressure
The Oxford Valves OV-FCV-1000 Series includes C10 flow control valve configurations rated up to 0 to 1200 psig / 83 bar depending on model.
CGA600 Flow Control Valves
CGA600 flow control valves are used with compatible CGA600 calibration gas cylinder connections.
These valves may be used where the gas source uses a CGA600 interface and the outlet must connect to tubing or threaded gas delivery equipment.
The Oxford Valves OV-FCV-1000 Series includes CGA600 flow control valve options with:
- 3/16” barb hose outlet
- 1/8” FNPT outlet
The correct outlet should be selected based on the tubing, adaptor, instrument or gas delivery system being used.
Key Factors When Selecting a Flow Control Valve
Choosing the correct flow control valve requires more than matching the connection type. The following points should be reviewed before final selection.
1. Inlet Connection
The inlet connection must match the gas source.
Common inlet types include:
- Aerosol
- 5/8” x 18UN C10
- CGA600
The inlet connection should never be forced onto an incompatible gas package or cylinder valve.
2. Outlet Connection
The outlet connection must match the tubing, calibration cap, adaptor or instrument setup.
Common outlet options include:
- 3/16” barb hose
- 1/8” FNPT
3. Working Pressure
The valve must be suitable for the pressure of the gas package.
The Oxford Valves OV-FCV-1000 Series includes working pressure options such as:
- 0 to 300 psig / 20 bar
- 0 to 600 psig / 40 bar
- 0 to 1200 psig / 83 bar
The pressure rating must not be exceeded.
4. Gas Compatibility
Gas compatibility depends on the gas mixture, concentration, moisture content, body material, sealing material, pressure and temperature.
5. Body Material
Flow control valves may use brass or brass nickel plated construction depending on model.
Brass and brass nickel plated configurations are generally used for compatible non-reactive gas applications.
6. Seal Material
Seal materials may include Buna-N or Viton depending on the valve model. Seal compatibility should be checked against the gas mixture and operating conditions.
7. Flow Meter Requirement
Some flow control valve configurations include an acrylic flow meter. This can be useful where visual flow reference is required during calibration gas delivery.
8. Application Type
The valve should be selected based on whether it will be used for aerosol gas, C10 cylinders, CGA600 cylinders, gas detector calibration, industrial safety monitors or portable gas testing.
Brass and Brass Nickel Plated Flow Control Valves
Material selection is important in gas control systems.
| Material Configuration | Typical Use | Key Consideration |
| Brass nickel plated | Compatible non-reactive calibration gases | Common for aerosol, C10 and S Flow configurations |
| Brass | Compatible non-reactive gas applications | Common for CGA600 flow control valve configurations |
Brass and brass nickel plated valves should not be assumed suitable for every gas mixture. Gas compatibility should always be checked before final selection.
Seal Materials Used in Flow Control Valves
Seal material affects valve suitability and long-term performance.
Buna-N
Buna-N is used in selected flow control valve models and should be checked against the gas mixture, pressure and operating conditions.
Viton
Viton is used in selected C10 and S Flow configurations. It should also be checked against the gas mixture and service conditions before use.
Working Pressure Options
The correct working pressure depends on the gas source and application.
20 bar / 300 psig Applications
Lower-pressure flow control valve configurations may be used with compatible aerosol or portable gas packages.
40 bar / 600 psig Applications
CGA600 configurations may be used for compatible calibration gas cylinders and portable gas systems.
83 bar / 1200 psig Applications
C10 configurations may be used for higher-pressure portable calibration gas cylinder applications, depending on model.
The selected valve must match the pressure of the gas package and should never be used above its rated pressure.
Flow Control Valves for Gas Detector Calibration
Gas detector calibration requires a known gas mixture and controlled gas delivery to the detector.
A flow control valve can help control gas release from the cylinder or aerosol package to the detector or calibration cap. The correct valve should match the cylinder connection, outlet tubing, working pressure and gas mixture.
For gas detector calibration, check:
- Required gas mixture
- Cylinder or aerosol package type
- Valve inlet connection
- Outlet tubing connection
- Working pressure
- Seal compatibility
- Calibration cap or instrument requirement
Flow Control Valves for Bump Testing
Bump testing is a functional check to confirm that a gas detector responds when exposed to a target gas.
Flow control valves can be used in bump testing setups where controlled gas delivery is needed from an aerosol, C10 or CGA600 gas source.
The selected valve should match the test procedure, gas package and detector manufacturer’s recommended setup.
Flow Control Valves for Industrial Safety Monitors
Industrial safety monitors may require regular gas checks or calibration using known gas mixtures.
Flow control valves can support these procedures by controlling gas delivery from portable calibration gas systems to the monitor or sampling arrangement.
The valve should be selected according to pressure, connection type, outlet interface and gas compatibility.
Oxford Valves OV-FCV-1000 Series
The Oxford Valves OV-FCV-1000 Series includes flow control valves for calibration gas and industrial safety monitor applications.
The range includes:
- Aerosol flow control valves
- C10 flow control valves
- CGA600 flow control valves
- S Flow-F1 and S Flow-F2 configurations
- Brass and brass nickel plated options
- Acrylic flow meter options
- 3/16” barb hose outlet options
- 1/8” FNPT outlet options
- Working pressure options up to 1200 psig / 83 bar
The series is designed for technical buyers who need a flow control valve matched to gas source, pressure, connection type, gas compatibility, seal material and application.
Common Mistakes When Choosing a Flow Control Valve
Choosing Only by Inlet Connection
The inlet connection is important, but the working pressure, outlet connection, body material, seal material and gas compatibility must also be reviewed.
Confusing C10 and CGA600 Connections
C10 and CGA600 connections are different and should not be treated as interchangeable.
Ignoring Working Pressure
A flow control valve must never be used above its specified working pressure.
Using Brass for Incompatible Gas Mixtures
Brass and brass nickel plated flow control valves are generally used for compatible non-reactive gases. Other gas mixtures may require different material selection.
Overlooking Seal Compatibility
Buna-N and Viton seals must be checked against the gas mixture and operating conditions.
Selecting the Wrong Outlet Connection
A 3/16” barb hose outlet and a 1/8” FNPT outlet serve different connection requirements. The outlet should match the tubing or equipment being used.
Assuming All Flow Control Valves Include the Same Features
Some flow control valves include an acrylic flow meter, while others do not. Features depend on the model.
How to Choose the Correct Flow Control Valve
A practical selection process is:
- Confirm the gas source type.
- Confirm the inlet connection.
- Confirm the outlet connection.
- Confirm the working pressure.
- Confirm the gas mixture and compatibility requirements.
- Select the correct body material.
- Confirm the seal material.
- Check whether an acrylic flow meter is required.
- Match the valve to the calibration tubing, adaptor or instrument.
- Confirm the application, such as calibration, bump testing or industrial safety monitor checking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a flow control valve?
A flow control valve is a gas control component used to regulate gas flow from a cylinder, aerosol package or gas source to downstream equipment.
What is a flow control valve used for?
Flow control valves are used for calibration gas delivery, gas detector calibration, bump testing, industrial safety monitor checks and portable gas testing applications.
What is a C10 flow control valve?
A C10 flow control valve is designed for a 5/8” x 18UN C10 inlet connection, commonly used with portable calibration gas cylinders.
What is a CGA600 flow control valve?
A CGA600 flow control valve is designed for compatible CGA600 calibration gas cylinder connections and may include barb hose or FNPT outlet options.
What is an aerosol flow control valve?
An aerosol flow control valve is designed for aerosol-style calibration gas packages and low-pressure portable gas testing applications.
What outlet connections are available?
The Oxford Valves OV-FCV-1000 Series includes 3/16” barb hose and 1/8” FNPT outlet options depending on model.
What working pressures are available?
The OV-FCV-1000 Series includes models rated at 0 to 300 psig / 20 bar, 0 to 600 psig / 40 bar and 0 to 1200 psig / 83 bar, depending on model.
Are flow control valves suitable for reactive gases?
The listed OV-FCV-1000 Series configurations are generally positioned for compatible non-reactive gases. Gas compatibility should always be checked before selection.
What seal materials are used?
Selected models use Buna-N and Viton sealing materials depending on configuration.
How do I choose the correct flow control valve?
Select the valve based on gas source, inlet connection, outlet connection, working pressure, gas compatibility, body material, seal material and application.
Conclusion
Flow control valves are important components in calibration gas and gas detection systems. They help control gas delivery from aerosol packages, C10 cylinders, CGA600 cylinders and portable gas sources to downstream equipment.
The correct flow control valve should be selected based on inlet connection, outlet connection, working pressure, body material, seal material, gas compatibility and application.
The Oxford Valves OV-FCV-1000 Series provides aerosol, C10, CGA600, S Flow-F1 and S Flow-F2 flow control valve options for calibration gas, industrial safety monitor and portable gas testing applications.
Oxford Valves
www.oxfordvalves.com
info@oxfordvalves.com