Different Types of Ball Valves and its Advantages

Ball valves, including PVDF ball valve, are mechanical devices used for guiding, controlling, modulating, and directing the flow of various substances such as pressure, gas, and liquids. They belong to the quarter-turn type of valve family. What sets ball valves apart is their hollow, ball-shaped disc, which can start or stop the flow of media.

Advantages:

Low maintenance cost.
Efficient and easy to operate, saving time and labor.
Excellent switch on/off capacity.
Minimal pressure drops.
Minimal leakage due to wear and tear.

Disadvantages:

Unsuitable for control or throttling purposes.
Not recommended for denser media as sedimentation can damage the valve seat and disc.
Rapid opening and closing can lead to pressure surges.

Applications:

Industries often require protection against leaks and rely on tight shut on/off mechanisms. This is particularly important in applications involving liquids or gases, such as natural gas industries and chemical storage.

Different types of ball valves can be classified based on various features, including:

Valve Openings:

Full Port Type: This type matches the internal diameter of the attached pipe, reducing friction. It is commonly used in refining and petrochemical industries but is more expensive to install.
Reduced Port Type: This type has a smaller internal diameter in the middle and the same internal diameter as the pipe on the ends. For example, a 3″ ball valve will have a 2″ bore in the middle and a 3″ bore on the ends.

Number of Pieces:

Single Piece Design.
Split Piece (Two Piece/Three Piece) Design.

Ball Movement:

Floating Type: The most common design, featuring a floating ball supported by two seats made of soft elastomeric material. The ball rotates with the help of a stem, allowing for quarter-turn movement.
Trunnion Type: In this design, the ball connects to the stem on one end and to a shaft called the trunnion on the other end. This ensures the ball remains firmly in place and is suitable for low and high-pressure applications, offering lower operational costs.

Body Arrangement:

Ball valves can be categorized based on their body arrangement, including side entry, top entry, three-way, four-way, and rising stem types.

Side Entry Type: The ball and internal parts are enclosed within the body, with the bonnet fitted on the side using bolts.
Top Entry Type: The bonnet cover is located on the top of the ball, allowing for easy removal, assembly, and repair of internal valve parts.
Three-Way/Four-Way Type: These valves have entry points on three or four sides, allowing flow to enter from one end and pass through other ends in different directions.
Rising Stem Type: This type of ball valve has a stem embedded in the seal, preventing contact between the two sides and reducing friction. This design minimizes uneven wear and tear of the seat.

Material:

Valve manufacturers commonly use materials such as carbon steel, stainless steel, alloy steel, bronze, brass, and PVC, among others. Different materials are chosen based on specific requirements.

Before sourcing and investing in valves, it is crucial to understand the temperature range they can handle. This knowledge is essential for optimal valve performance.

Conclusion:

As renowned valve suppliers worldwide, at Petron Thermoplast, we continuously research and develop our designs to ensure customer satisfaction. As a leading valve stockist in Dubai, we offer in-house designs. Regardless of the industry you’re in, our wide range of industrial products can meet your needs.