In today’s charging world of technology there have been may changes in controls that now allow to truly
compare a plug and seat regulator to a control valve for high-pressure natural gas installations such as: power
plants, city gate stations, large industrial customers, compressor stations, and storage fields. The features,
benefits, capabilities, and differences of both devices will be outlined, to enable the reader to make an educated
selection. In addition, acceptable design practices will be reviewed concerning sizing, gas velocities, noise levels,
equipment layout, and performance. The ball valve is the most commonly used type of modulating valve for
natural gas pipeline control applications, for that reason, we will limit this discussion to comparison between the
plug and seat regulator and versions of a 1/4 turn ball valve.