In the industrial or commercial industry, the one type of valve that is gaining huge popularity is the ball valve. If you are looking to know everything about the ball valve including its definition, working principle, or features, you are on the right page. To enrich the prosperity of the valve industry, ball valves are giving their best contribution. In fact, the ball valves are designed and manufactured in terms of different sizes, shapes, and materials used. Considering the specific industrial application, the use of ball valves can be made to regulate the flow of fluids.
What are ball valves?
Just like the regulating taps, they are manufactured to maintain a specific volume of flow. The word ball here signifies the heart of the valve which is behind controlling the fluid flow in different industries. What makes it highly useful in high-pressure and temperature conditions is its tight shut-off feature. The shutting on and off of the capacity of the valve decides the ins and outs of fluid flow.
Unlike the gate or flapper, the ball valve signifies the functioning portion of the valve. In place of a gate, there is an actual ball that does not require any lubrication for protection purposes.
Out of the many types of valves that exist in the industry, ball valves are quite common. This is all because of their capability to be used in a long list of applications, offering functionality even after many years of usage.
In the usual pipeline system, the ball valve is expected to perform some essential functions including controlling the medium, managing the medium flow direction, shutting off the medium, preventing flux, and many more.
Considering the interior of the valve, there is a ball with a port which is like a hole in the middle. Fluid flow is possible when the hole gets aligned with both ends of the valve. In the closing stage, the hole takes the 90-degree position to the valve, thus impeding the liquid flow.
Equipped with soft seats, ball valves are like plug valves with different ball-shaped seating element. However, the partial opening of the valve for a longer duration may damage the ball and in fact, it may set the ball in the lock position.
Though there are different types of ball valves, some components are the same. For instance, they have an outer shell within the valve ball and handle. It comprises up to and down, or in rotation, to regulate the fluid flow. What controls the valve ball is the valve handle which can be driven by mechanical motors or manually as well. In the opening state of the valve, the ball hole would be in the same direction as that of the valve shell. When the handle makes the ball face the wall, the fluid gets instantly shut off.
Characteristics of ball valves:
Reliable saleability
The pipeline, especially which covers the long-distance, must require tight sealing in order to avoid any kind of risk, without this feature, the consequences would be leakage and even serious mishappenings. Once it is installed, it cannot be checked all the time. For a long-quality service, good seal ability is a must and which is well provided by ball valves.
For any industrial application, it is vital that the size of the valve fits well in the space. The typical sizes available in the marketplace vary from ¼ to48 inches, concerning the particular requirement, an adequate selection can be made.
Layout guarantees fire or external factor safety
The valve body is made to connect with the ball and connecting surface that prevents the system from fire. Additionally, the metallic spiral wound gaskets are delivered to apply for fireplace protection functions. Similarly, the graphite ring is used to save the medium from leakage.
Restricted flow
No matter which type of ball valve you use for a specific application, the ball valves make sure there is no or low waft resistance. This is achievable because of the similar dimensions of the passage and the pipe of the valve. Due to this reason, the full-port ball valve ensures the lowest resistance if compared to the many other available kinds of valves.
Dynamic layout
The shape of the ball valve comprises a metallic ball with a specific diameter, which is usually quite small in size together with a small-sized spring. A type of hole placement is achieved on the end of the valve stem at the same time as the other is done at the cylinder of the valve stem. The goal is to hold the desired touch with the valve body to be able to keep the viable static power far from the frame.
Types of ball valves:
Full Port, and Standard Port
There exist two different types of ball valves. The first is the full port valve and another one is the standard port. The prime distinguishing factor between these two valve types is the size of the ball. In the full port ball valve, a bigger-sized ball is used to control the fluid flow, however, a small ball is utilized in the case of the standard port valve. The size of the ball is smaller than the pipeline with a smaller port. The pipe is just one size plus compared to the standard port through which the fluid flows.
Floating and Fix Ball valve
For the floating type, a compressed spring is utilized to push the body of the valve with the objective to hold the surface of the valve tightly. Thus, the consistent hold of the vale seat leads to ensuring the string is tight. On the contrary, in the fixed valve type, the valve seat can be removed while the ball remains fixed to the specific position. The attached spring is responsible for compression and adjustment to the connected screw with the spring. Their strong fixed connection inside greatly helps during the installation process.
Common features of floating ball valves
- Comparatively small size range
- Reduced operating torque
- Downstream sealing
- Good sealing ability
In the current industrial situation, what’s more in use is the fixed ball valve that is widely used in different industries including petroleum, chemical, environmental protection, food, medicine, and many more.
Common features of fixed ball valves:
- Easy to operate
- Supported by upper and lower bearings
- Reliable leak proofness
- Fireproof structure
- Automatic pressure release
The valve comprises two holes, one at the top and the other at the bottom. This helps determine the leakage or any fault. While in the open or close phase, it is possible to change the stuffing which further leads to minimizing the pollution level produced by the medium.
Going deeper into the working principle of both types, one is different from the other. In the fixed ball valve type, the generated power passes to the bearing. This restricts the ball from moving toward the clack seat. This makes the clack seat not bear too much pressure. As per its characteristics, the torque of the fixed ball valve is small with the clack seat not simply to be deformed.
Diaphragm and Equilibrium Ball Valves
The diaphragm or Garston ball valves are specifically designed to manage inherent faults. The moving parts of this valve are covered from incoming fluid flow by the diaphragm, and there is no risk of seizing them as a consequence of scale deposits. The body of the valve has two or more ports and an elastomeric diaphragm and a seat upon which the diaphragm shuts off the valve. Different materials are used for construction purposes such as metal. plastic, wood, and others.
Whereas utilizing an equilibrium valve passes the incoming flow to the other side of the washer. Just like its name, it keeps the water pressure equalized, or in a state of equilibrium.
How does the ball valve function?
A specific kind of quarter-turn isolation valve depends on the ball placed in a passageway, with a hole responsible for the open and close position.
Whilst the ball is placed within the manner where the hole runs inside the same direction because of the passageway, the fluid actually flows via the hole and the valve gets opened. But, whilst the ball is located within the manner in which the hollow is perpendicular to the passageway, it restricts the fluid passing and the valve gets closed. The control of the ball is from the outside of the valve, which is frequently made with a handle that can be turned 90 degrees, or a quarter turn, back and forth for beginning and closing the valve.
Applications
They are quite popular in lots of different industries. Such include chemical and petrochemical manufacturers, paper manufacturers, oil and gas manufacturers, power plants, steel manufacturers, pharmaceuticals processing, and textile manufacturing.
Furthermore, other applications include turbine skids, generator skids, field gas plants, polymer plants, compressor skids, automated process applications, LNG plants, and oil refinery feedstock lines.
- In comparison to the other kinds of valves that exist, they are ideal to use for starting or stopping fluid flow. This is the reason ball valves best suit moderate throttling. Moreover, they are comparatively small in size and light in weight, which makes possible their great usage.
- For the upstream oil and gas production sites, the ball valve is the most preferred. Irrespective of offshore and onshore, they are acceptable for efficient functionality and operation.
- From shifting fully open to the closed position, these valves need a one-quarter handwheel which is not like the gate valve. This rapid change proves significant to some kinds of installations where isolating pipe sections is required.
- To completely shut off the fluid flow applications, ball valves suit the best. Here, the valve appears fixed on the main line to provide flow. Also, the valves are compact and easy to maintain the device. The user does not need to worry about harmful external factors. Such valves are quite resistant over time as they are made up from corrosion –repellent materials. Because of the simple installation process, they ensure durability and safe functioning by ensuring a great seal.
- The basic design structure of the ball valves is behind the versatility of the product. This is the reason these valves can easily withstand high pressure, without any risk involved. Moreover, they are easily adaptable to the solenoid or manual operation. Moreover, the simple structure easily fits a variety of materials while allowing the same to be used for corrosive liquids.
The effective installation and utilization of the valves offer many different benefits to industries worldwide. Without the use of ball valves, many manufacturing and processing companies cannot expect functionality or control fluid flow.
Selecting the appropriate valve for industrial applications!
Considering the characteristics of the valves, the right valve can be chosen among the wide variety of ball valves available.
Material choice is another aspect that should be considered. The most common materials used for production purposes include bronze, stainless steel, carbon steel, and others. combining the material characteristics along with industry requirements, you can make a wise decision. Regardless of the design choice made, amongst one-piece, three-piece, full port, or ordinary or decreased port design, selecting the proper layout for any type and material is of great significance.
Construction material, specific application, control option, and precision level are some crucial aspects that cannot be avoided while looking to choose the valve type.
For the FO applications, they are usually not suggested to use. This is because of the high probability of reducing the opening time. Moving the heavy ball relies on a higher stem torque and a large actuator which can eventually enhance the opening time.
Contact the Reliable Manufacturers
EG Valves Manufacturing Co. Ltd is a reputed manufacturer and provider of valves in conjunction with other valve types. With over twenty years of industry revel in, we make sure to provide the best products for your particular requirements. Visit us today and get excellent products at competitive prices.
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