Also known as rotary valves, ball valves are essential in many industrial uses that involve the management of fluid. This article gives an overview of what you need to know about ball valves including design, types, applications, and choosing the right ball valve for your business.
Ball valves have the reputation of being long-lasting, easy to maintain and hydraulically precise. Ball valves are used in oil and gas industries, water treatment and any other industries that involve fluid control, it is important that the flow of the ball valves and their uses be understood for the best outcome of the system.
Contents
What is a Ball Valve
A ball valve is a member of the quarter-turn valve family which utilizes a spherical ball in order to control the flow of fluid. It has a centrally located small hole or port and when the valve is open, flow passage and the small hole are in the same line. During valve shut off, the ball turns in a plane that provides a sealing action to prevent the flow of fluids.
This makes ball valves ideal for regulating large flows of the fluid within a given system in most industries. They have a high structural strength, are comparatively less susceptible to wear and tear, and are very convenient to operate, therefore are preferred by many B2B industries.
Types of Ball Valves
There are various types of ball valves available depending on particular application needs of a system. Some common types include:
1. Floating Ball Valve
In a floating ball valve the ball is not maintained in any fixed position but has the capability to ‘float’ inside the valve body. When this valve is closed the pressure of the fluid acting on the face of the ball tries to force the ball into contact with the seat of the valve, thus the pressure exerted on the face of the ball should counteract the force and seal off the valve. This type of valve can be used at low-pressure systems only without exposure to heat or pressure for a long time.
2. Trunnion Ball Valve
A trunnion ball valve integrates a ball, which is provided with supports at the top and bottom, so the ball can turn in the body of the valve. That is why the trunnion ball valve is suitable for higher pressure and larger diameter pipes in this design.
3. V-Port Ball Valve
improving the flow rate control, this type of the V-port ball valve is equipped with the “V” shaped ball. This valve type is used where it is necessary to control the flow of the liquid, whereas this control is not possible with the on/off valve.
Each of these types provides certain advantages based upon your needs in an application as a pressure control device, a flow control device, or a sealing component with minimal leakage.
Ball Valves and Its Uses
Ball valves can be seen in most industries and in various areas of functioning. Here are some key sectors where ball valves are essential:
1. Oil and Gas
In the oil and gas industry, ball valves serve the purpose for on/off and modulating isolation of fluids. Due to their reliability and high pressure handling ability, they are well suited for use on pipelines and drilling.
2. Water Treatment
Ball valves are employed in the water treatment industries to open or close streams of water or chemicals in the treatment processes. It makes it possible to maintain high precision in controlling systems that need high efficiency and safety.
3. Chemical Processing
Many chemical processing plants need valves that are resistant to the substances being processed. Such conditions require use of ball valves particularly those manufactured from stainless steel or other materials that are resistant to corrosion.
4. HVAC Systems
Ball valves are also utilised in HVAC systems; systems that regulate temperatures in buildings through heating, ventilating and air conditioning. They facilitate control of water, steam and refrigerator currents and assist in working efficiency of the given system.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Ball Valves
Choosing the right ball valve for your application involves considering several key factors, such as:
1. Material Compatibility
Materials of the valve body and the ball should also be suitable for fluids or gases, which are passing through the valve. Some of the usual materials include stainless steel, brass, and PVC; stainless steel is often preferred because of the product’s strength and immunity to corrosion.
2. Pressure and Temperature Limits
Make certain that the valve you decide on is suitable for the pressure and temperature acting on the system. Trunnion ball valves are usually ideal for high pressure rated application while floating ball valves are ideal for low pressure applications.
3. Flow Rate Control
But if highly accurate flow control is required, then he recommends the use of a V-port ball valve. This kind of valve provides tighter control of the flow, thus being appropriate in systems that need consistent watch.
4. Size and Diameter
There are various types of ball valves and the ball size is very important in order to get the right flow rate and lose the least amount of energy. The implications of valve size mean that oversized or undersized valves can be inefficient as well as cause system failures.
5. Actuation Mechanism
There is the toggle type which can be manually operated but also can be actuated by air or by electricity. You can therefore choose a valve that has the right type of actuator for your given system to make operating and automation easier.
Maintenance and Longevity
It can be said that ball valves have low maintenance rates, however, periodical check and interval adjustments of ball valves will positively influence their lifespan. Some of the normal services include checking for any leakage, tightening joints or checking the condition of the sealing surfaces as well as operating the valve. In some cases, the fluid or the gas passed through the valve may require cleaning from time to time because of accumulations on the valve ‘s internal parts.
This is a benefit of ball valves in that they are devoid of complicated features and hence are not likely to be susceptible to frequent need for maintenance. Nonetheless, standard service will help to prolong the service of the valve and maintain efficiency of your system.
Ball valves because of their simplicity and ability to offer secure sealing and non-leaking performances are very crucial in many industries. This paper will review and discuss the different types of ball valves, when they should be used and when they shouldn’t, to help enable businesses to make proper decisions when it comes to the use of fluid controlling mechanisms. If your firm is operating in the oil and gas industry, water treatment or even chemical processing services, choosing the right ball valve means that your operations will be efficient.
As for suppliers of ball valves, if you need a number of high-quality products for industrial application, Dombor will suit you.You can visit our Ball valves shop at https://www.dombor.com/ru/product-category/ball-valves/ to learn about each product and select the most suitable for your commercial activity.