Ball valves are through valves that can be opened or closed with only a quarter turn. The ball valve has a round shutoff element located in the seat inside the valve. This design allows even seal stress within the valve. The ball valve is named after the ball shutoff element, which rotates to open and close the valve. Due to uniform seal stress, ball valves are a good choice when a tight seal is required when closed. They are able to transport materials in all three states (solid, liquid, and gas) and mud (liquid with suspended solids).

Five kinds of ball valve

There are five main types of ball valves that can be used to perform many different tasks. Each type of ball valve has different advantages, which may make one type of ball valve more desirable than others. Ball Valve Manufacturer shares this article with you.

1. All ports

Full-size brass ball valve with a yellow handle

Full-size ball valves are designed to be oversized balls with diameters equal to the internal dimensions of existing piping. Because the diameter of the hole in the valve hole is the same as the rest of the pipe, the flow of material through the valve and out of the other side is unrestricted when the valve is opened. This is the main advantage of full-size ball valves.

Full-size ball valves are most commonly used in throttling service. They are considered recovery valves and can be used in a variety of systems with low-pressure drops and high flow coefficients.Look for our full port metal ball valve specifications here.

2. Standard port

Standard port ball valves differ from full port ball valves in that the diameter of the hole in the hole is smaller than the internal diameter of the pipe around the valve. This reduces the flow of some materials. Although they are usually cheaper than other types of valves, standard end valves usually have a higher pressure drop than other valves.

Like full ventilators, reduced - pressure ventilators are recovery valves commonly used in high - flow coefficient systems.

3. The V port

A V-port ball valve has a V-ball or V-seat. When the valve is moved to the open position, the bottom of V opens first. This allows better control of the flow of material through the open valve. This type of ball valve requires a higher mass construction than other types of valves because the fluid flowing through the valve will move at a higher speed.

V-Shaped Ball Valve is most commonly used in chemical plants as well as in the paper and power industries.

4.True Union (Trunnion)

The monitoring positions for the ball are different from other types of ball valves in that they are designed to have a pin in place, securing the ball so it does not move.True live ball valves are designed to reduce friction between the parts of the valve.

True loose-fitting valves are most commonly used in high-speed systems where the pressure is higher than that of standard ball valves.These ball valves can be removed from the piping system as required.

5. Manual operation

Because of their ease of use and simplified design, the most common spherical valves are manually operated. Some valves are fitted with electric motors to control flow and valve opening and closing. Manual operation of ball valves is usually simple, with a quarter turn to fully close or open the valve, although quick shutoff poses a water hammer hazard.

Ball valve material

In addition to having a variety of designs, ball valves are also made of a variety of different materials. Some materials have more desirable properties for different USES, so it is important to understand the basics of ball valve materials before purchasing anything.

1. PVC

Polyvinyl chloride, also known as PVC, is a type of plastic commonly used in the production of ball valves.PVC is beneficial for many reasons. Relative to metal valves, PVC is valued mainly for its flexibility. The PVC is also smooth and allows the valve parts to move easily.

2. CPVC

Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride has similar properties to POLYvinyl chloride.CPVC differs from PVC in that chlorinated PVC can withstand higher temperatures, making it suitable for use in hot water.

3. Bronze and brass

White handle brass ball valve brass is made of copper and zinc. Bronze is an alloy containing copper, zinc, tin, and lead. Bronze is ideal for valves for low or medium pressure systems and is useful for more complex castings. Bronze is also resistant to corrosion and wear. The machinability of brass is similar to that of bronze. But brass is more economical than bronze.

4. Iron

Iron is the most commonly used material in steam, water, oil, and natural gas pipelines. Iron is a valuable material in the manufacture of ball valves because it can withstand a wide range of temperatures and pressures. Iron as a valve material provides high performance to offset the cost.

5. Stainless steel

Stainless steel with a yellow handle is another common material used in the manufacture of ball valves. Stainless steel has many positive characteristics that make it an ideal material, including durability and corrosion resistance. The material can be used in a variety of systems, including general factory and geochemical systems.

Advantages and disadvantages of ball valves

There are many pros and cons to using an on-off ball Valve. On the one hand, ball valves are very easy to operate and have a long service life. They require no extra lubrication and are low in production and maintenance costs. Ball valves can withstand high pressure, high speed, and high-temperature flows. These characteristics make ball valves common among chlorine manufacturers, shipboard systems, and fire safety services. On the other hand, it is not recommended to use ball valves for bioprocessing, pharmaceutical, or food and beverage systems as they are not easy to clean and may cause contamination.