What a solenoid Valve may control is just as fascinating as how the mechanism is able to control it. It just so happens that solenoid valves are able to control the flow of a wide variety of substances, so wide that discussing the media should be narrowed down to a specific one, such as gas. Gas solenoid valves are utilized in many systems that process gaseous media or utilize them to achieve a certain goal, such as powering the operation of a device within a marine vehicle or a food and beverage processing or packaging machine.

The types of gases regulated by a gas solenoid valve include hydrogen, liquefied petroleum, nitrogen, argon, oxygen, air and natural gas. Each of these gaseous media will affect the gas solenoid valve in operation, therefore affecting what material is chosen to produce it. SInce a wide variety of metals and plastics are utilized to produce all sorts of solenoid valves, including those that operate gaseous systems, this is not a problem just something to keep in mind. Specific options include PVC, brass, stainless steel, PTFE, aluminum, bronze and polypropylene, each with their own set of positive and negative characteristics.

Since most gases that require the control of a gas solenoid valve are not toxic or dangerous, the more interesting facts are found in exploring how these solenoid Valves work. There are two major gas solenoid valve styles operating in most gaseous systems, whether controlling the flow of air within a ventilation system or controlling the flow of hydrogen and oxygen within a system in an aerospace craft. Direct acting valves are situated so that the entire flow of gas passes through the valve, and a plunger moves to close or open the valve itself when the levels are too high or too low. The same is true of the pilot operated gas solenoid valve, except it utilizes a diaphragm to open and close the valve instead of a plunger.