Teach on Udemy

Turn what you know into an opportunity and reach millions around the world.

Learn More

Your cart is empty.

Keep shopping

Control Valves, Actuators & Positioners : Operation & Design

Name: Control Valves, Actuators & Positioners : Operation & Design
Rating: 4.4 (179 reviews)

A practical approach to control valves , actuators and positioners using real-world process examples & solved problems

Created byWR Training

Last updated 11/2025

English

What you'll learn

Understand control valves working principles for successful operation of your plant and piping systems
Understand control valve construction details (bonnet, stem, disc, seat, packing, body, actuator, positioner…)
Identify and know the principles of operation of common control valve actuators (diaphragm, piston, rack and pinion, scotch yoke)
Dismantle and assemble various types of control valves and actuators using 3D and 2D models
Understand how single acting and double acting pneumatic actuators work through graphics and 3D animations
Know how to convert a single acting spring return actuator to a double acting actuator and vice versa
Understand the concept of failure mode in control valves : Fail Open "FO", Fail Closed "FC", Fail As Is "FAI"
Understand the concept of "Air-to-push-up" and Air-to-push-down"
Understand the concept of "direct-acting" and "reverse-acting"
Know how to convert a fail close actuator to a fail open actuator and vice versa
Understand the concept of valve flow coefficient "Cv" and familiarize yourself with the various units
Know how to determine flowrate and pressure drop through control valves for different valve lifts
Know how to match the valve characteristics to the process
Know how to construct the installation curve for a given control valve
Understand the effect of selecting a control valve larger than necessary
Understand the effect of differential pressure on the valve lift and actuator operation
Differentiate between fast opening, linear and equal percentage valve characteristics
Understand how valve positioners operate
Know the different types of valve positioners (P/P, I/P, force balance, motion balance, digital…)
Understand when a positioner should be fitted
Understand the working principles of I/P converters and how they are used in control valves
Put your knowledge to the test at the end of each section with a valuable technical quiz (190+ questions and solved problems)

Course content

9 sections • 71 lectures • 3h 26m total length

Learning objectives0:54
Introduction1:56
Valve body2:13
Valve bonnet1:44
Trim1:24
Explore valve trim components—disc, seat, stem, and sleeve—and how their interface and disc position control flow in rotational and linear designs.
Plug and seat2:07
Stem2:29
Actuator1:04
Describe the main principles and operation of valve actuators, featuring hand wheel, motor, solenoid, nomadic and hydraulic operators, and how bonnets or yokes support them outside the pressure boundary.
Packing1:39
Test your knowledge

Introduction1:18
Shut-off tightness1:45
Two-port valves6:01
Balanced single seat1:48
Slide valves - Spindle operated2:14
Rotary valves3:57
Options2:35
Explore globe valve options for control valves, including gland packing materials and configurations, friction effects on actuators, and guide methods such as double guided, guided plug, and perforated plugs.
Two-port valves summary1:26
Three-port valves7:03
Process examples of three-port valves2:42
Test your knowledge

Flow characteristics4:37
Fast opening1:24
Linear0:43
Equal percentage1:19
Example: Determining flowrate for different valve lifts4:42
Matching the valve characteristic to the process1:46
Example: A water circulating heating system0:53
Example: A boiler water level control system6:40
Explore a boiler water level control system using a two-port feed water valve, and analyze how flow rate, differential pressure, and head loss affect valve sizing and installation curves.
Example: Constructing the installation curve2:33
Example: Comparing linear and equal percentage10:25
Example: Temperature control of a steam application15:41
Example: The effect of selecting a control valve larger than necessary3:59
Test your knowledge

Introduction1:40
Piston actuators2:32
Piston actuators (double acting) - 3D animation0:49
Piston actuators (single acting) - Dismantling1:02
Diaphragm actuators4:45
Actuator valve combinations2:33
Effect of differential pressure on the valve lift7:20
What are valve positioners ?2:16
Force balance positioners4:40
Example of positioners5:05
Positioners: What you should remember1:44
Positioners: When should a positioner be fitted1:15
P/P positioners1:00
I/P positioners1:23
About I/P converters3:42
I to p transducers convert electronic current signals (4–20 mA) to pneumatic signals (3–15 psi) to drive pneumatic valve actuators in process control systems.
Digital positioners3:21
Summary: Selecting a pneumatic valve and actuator3:13
Select a valve using process data and match its characteristics to the process. Determine valve action on power failure, decide on a positioner, and specify numeric or electric signal converter.
Test your knowledge

Pneumatic actuators3:34
Example 1 : Single acting / spring return actuators : Components & Operation1:28
Example 2 : Single acting / spring return actuators : Components & Operation0:52
Examine a single acting actuator with spring, piston, piston rod, position indicator, and yoke, where gas pressure opens or closes the valve and the spring returns it when pressure drops.
Example 3 : Double acting actuators : Components & Operation1:02
Example 4 : Double acting actuators : Components & Operation1:02
From single acting to double acting actuator2:05
From Fail Close (FC) to Fail Open (FO) - Scotch Yoke actuators1:11
From Fail Close (FC) to Fail Open (FO) - Rack and Pinion Actuators2:54
Rack and Pinion vs Scotch Yoke6:24
Compare rack and pinion and Scotch yoke pneumatic actuators, analyzing torque profiles, cycle times, throttling performance, and cost to select the right design for your valve application.
Valve position indication2:29
Explain remote valve position indication for field and control room operators using position detectors and indicator lights, including mechanical limit switches, rising stem position, and non rising stem pointers.
Test your knowledge

Requirements

Some engineering or field knowledge is preferable but not mandatory. All the concepts are explained in depth using an easy to understand language to allow students to build their knowledge from the ground up

Description

Control Valves, Actuators & Positioners Masterclass: Design, Operation, and Maintenance

The Complete Practical Guide for Engineers, Technicians & Maintenance Professionals

Control valves, actuators, and positioners are the backbone of process automation and plant reliability. This comprehensive course delivers the technical expertise and hands-on skills you need to select, size, install, operate, and maintain all types of control valves and their essential accessories.

Who Should Take This Course?

Engineers (process, mechanical, instrumentation)
Valve mechanics and maintenance personnel
Instrument technicians
Anyone responsible for the selection, sizing, commissioning, or operation of control valves, actuators, and positioners

What You’ll Learn

Valve, Actuator, and Positioner Fundamentals:
- Role and function of control valves in process plants
- Working principles and construction details of key equipment:
  - Sliding stem and rotary control valves (fast opening, linear, equal percentage)
  - 3-port mixing and diverting valves
  - Diaphragm, piston, rack & pinion, and scotch yoke actuators (single/double acting, FO/FC)
  - Pneumatic and digital positioners (force balance, motion balance)
  - I/P converters
Hands-On Skills & Troubleshooting:
- Dismantle and assemble various valve and actuator types using 2D/3D models
- Convert actuator configurations (single to double acting, FO/FC)
- Convert valve/actuator assemblies between fail open and fail close
- Construct installation curves and calculate flowrate/pressure drop for different valve lifts
- Match valve characteristics to applications and analyze effects of improper sizing
- Assess the impact of differential pressure on valve lift and actuator response
- Determine when and how to fit positioners for optimal performance
Real-World Practice:
- Extensive 3D animations, graphics, and cross-sectional views for virtual practical exposure
- Process examples and solved problems covering real plant scenarios

Course Features

Interactive learning with 3D animations, cross-sectional graphics, and real-world process examples
Step-by-step assembly, conversion, and troubleshooting guides
Comprehensive technical quiz with 190+ questions (True/False, multiple choice, image-based, solved problems)
Downloadable resources and reference materials
Lifetime access: Study at your own pace, anytime
Instructor support via Udemy Q&A

By the End of This Course, You Will:

Confidently select, size, assemble, and maintain control valves, actuators, and positioners
Troubleshoot and optimize valve/actuator assemblies for any process application
Match valve characteristics to specific process needs and avoid common sizing pitfalls
Understand when to use positioners and how to ensure reliable control performance
Test your knowledge with a comprehensive technical quiz and practical examples

Get Started Now!

Preview the free videos and explore the detailed curriculum. Join thousands of engineers, technicians, and maintenance professionals who trust WR Training for clear, practical technical education.

Click “Enroll Now” and master control valves, actuators, and positioners for real-world plant reliability!

WR Training – Your Partner in Process Automation and Reliability

Spread the wings of your knowledge

---

COURSE UPDATES

June 25

We have added new video lectures. In addition, new quizzes are being added to help you test your knowledge and emphasize the key learning points. The quiz will include:

True/False questions
Multi-choice questions
Images, cross-sectionnal views
Solved problems
and much more...

When you think you’ve got a good grasp on a topic within the course, you can test your knowledge by taking the quiz. If you pass, wonderful ! If not, you can review the videos and notes again or ask us for help in the Q&A section.

Who this course is for:

Chemical / Process / Control Engineers
Design Engineers
Piping Engineers
Plant Engineers
Maintenance / Instrument Technicians
Mechanics
Plant Operators

Control Valves, Actuators & Positioners : Operation & Design

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Control valve functions and basic parts9 lectures • 16min

Control valve configurations5 lectures • 11min

General considerations10 lectures • 31min

Control valve capacity3 lectures • 11min

Control valve characteristics12 lectures • 55min

Control valve actuators and positioners for continuous control action17 lectures • 48min

Control valve actuators and position indicators for On/Off control action10 lectures • 23min

Choices and selection1 lecture • 2min

Installation and commissioning4 lectures • 11min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: