Valve Buying Guide - ANBI Online

Valve Definition

As with any product, it’s crucial to identify the type of valve, the manufacturer, inlet/outlet size, operating and maximum pressures, solution temperature, and the solution passing through the valve.  It’s critical to know what solution is passing through the valve to ensure proper chemical compatibility.  Knowing the solution’s PH level can also be another important factor when determining suitable components and materials.

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How to choose a valve?

Before selecting your valve, you will need to determine. Will it be used to regulate a fluid or stop its flow?

It is necessary to verify the media that will circulate in the system is it a gas or a liquid? Is the media corrosive, chemically neutral, a food product or a medical fluid that requires special hygiene conditions?

When it comes to the operation system of the valve it is important to know whether it is powered manually or automatically. In one case, someone must be on-site to operate the valve, while in the other case the valves can be operated remotely, from a control station for example.

Finally, it is important to know how the valve will be integrated into the system and the type of assembly or installation used, especially if it needs to be welded, bolted through flanges or screwed in.

Once you have determined these different elements, you can focus on the technical characteristics of your installation, in particular the flow and pressure that will allow you to determine the dimensions of your valve.

How to calculate the dimensions of your valve?

• The pressureis an essential factor to take into account, on one hand so as not to undersize your valve and expose you to problems of leakage or rupture of the valve, and on the other hand to avoid over sizing it.
• You must identify the operating temperature, i.e. the temperature of the circulating media, as well as the ambient temperature around the valve body. It is important to know the extreme temperaturesthe valve will have to undergo in order to be able to choose a valve designed to operate under these conditions, in particular with regard to the materials used for the manufacture of the body, the closure system and the sealing parts.
• The operating pressure, i.e. the pressure the media circulates at in the valve.
• The fluid flow rate and the flow velocity. Flow rate and nominal speed are essential elements that will help you choose the appropriate valve, especially if it is to be used to regulate this flow rate. The flow factor (Kv) is a theoretical value defined by the manufacturer that allows the nominal flow rate of the valve to be calculated. It can be indicated in litres per minute (l/min) or in cubic meters per hour (m3/h). Valve manufacturers offer charts to determine this factor based on the desired flow rate and nominal diameter.
• The nominal diameter(DN) of the circuit where the valve is. This is vital to avoid over sizing the valve, which could lead to unstable operation of the installation, or under sizing it which could lead to a significant pressure drop and rapid damage to the valve.

What are the main types of valves?

The choice of a valve also depends on the flow rate, pressure and type of fluid transported because this will determine the materials the valve is made of.

Butterfly Valves

In the butterfly valve world, it’s important to first determine which style of butterfly valve you possess.  The two most common styles are Wafer or Lug bodies.  A wafer-style butterfly valve has “thru” bolt holes that run along through the outside rim of both pipe flanges.  In contrast, a lug-style butterfly valve has threaded bolt holes on both sides of the valve body to allow for “end of line” applications.  Lug-style butterfly valves are, generally, less common than wafer-style butterfly valves.  Below, you will see a wafer-style valve on the left and a lug style valve on the right

Butterfly Valve Actuators

Next, we get into the topic of valve actuation.  We primarily stock butterfly valves that are manually (seen above with handle) or pneumatically actuated with either double acting or spring return actuators.  A double acting butterfly valve actuator requires air pressure to open the valve and then air pressure to close the valve.

A spring return butterfly actuator is used in fail-safe applications.  If there is a loss of air pressure the valve will automatically close (or open) – due to the spring tension of the actuator.  Spring return actuators are used in many production plants that require system flow to cease once power is cut or lost – as mentioned above, this is a fail-safe application example.

Electric Actuators are also used in many industries.  While we don’t stock electric actuators for butterfly valves – we have access to them.  Actuators can also be provided with “positioners”, limit switches and other controls.

Ball Valves

A ball valve is probably the most common type of valve that exists – across all industries.  It gets its name due to the fact that it actually has an internal ball that sits in a “seat”.  When the handle or knob is turned 90 degrees from the inlet/outlet ports, the valve is closed and one can see the convex shape of the internal ball.  When the handle is turned parallel with the inlet/outlet ports, the valve is open and one can view through it – unhindered.

On the left, below, is an example of an air actuated, stainless steel, female pipe thread, ball valve.  While on the right, you will see a Banjo, polypropylene, manual, flanged, ball valve.

Standard Port vs. Full Port

By design, ball valves that are listed as Standard Port actually have less fluid path than the inlet/outlet ports size limitations – this is somewhat misleading to those that are unfamiliar with the concept of Standard vs. Full Port valves.

For example, if you have a 2 inch Standard Port valve your flow characteristics will be closer to that of a 1.5-inch fluid path.  The technical reasoning behind this is the fact that a smaller opening creates more friction loss (i.e. pressure drop) thus resulting in a decreased flow rate.  Standard port ball valves are cheaper than full port valves but restrict the system flow rates; somewhat.  So, if flow rates don’t matter or affect your system then you can save money up front by selecting standard port valve(s) for your plumbing system.

Full port valves allow the plumbing system to realize the full flow characteristics of the valving.  If all valves in a system are two inch full port, valves then we can reasonably assume increased flow rates in comparison to a system that contains all standard port valving.  A full port valve has a slight design change that allows for this increase in flow characteristics.  While the valves may look the same externally, there are internal design changes that are not visible to the naked eye.

High Pressure vs. Low Pressure

This is another crucial step in determining the correct valve for a specific application.  If necessary, place a pressure gauge at various points in the plumbing system to determine the system operating pressure.  Never guess the operating pressure of a system.  If a low pressure valve is installed into a high pressure system, serious or fatal injury could occur.  As a general rule of thumb, anything below 150 psi is considered Low Pressure – that being said, there are valves rate for pressure less than 150 psi.

This gets back to one of our core fundamentals when selecting a proper valve – determine operating pressure and maximum pressure for the intended plumbing system.

Ball valves are a perfect example of how the same style valve can be used in multiple applications – both high pressure and low pressure.  We have some ball valve product lines that have use applications which are limited to certain industries – due to their operating/working pressure limitations.  However, we have many ball valve lines that carry over into multiple industry applications.

While we do carry many products that can be cross-utilized in various industries we always want the customer to confirm an operating pressure.  This ensures safety in application and use.  Furthermore, it minimizes the possibility of injury and lessens the chance of damage to the valve and other plumbing system components.

Air Actuated & Electric Motor Driven

We carry ball valves that can be remotely operated via automation, as well.  The most common types are pneumatic (air-operated) and electric motor-operated ball valves.  Air operated are most widely used in chemical facilities, fertilizer plants, or industrial plants.  Electric ball valves are most commonly used in agricultural applications for spraying applications.  The trade name electric ball valve or pneumatic ball valve simply refers to how the valve is actuated.

When you drive down the road and see a large self-propelled sprayer, spraying in a field, you can be certain the booms are being remotely controlled.  The boom valves are remotely controlled from the sprayer cab, with the help of electric ball valves.  The sprayer operator sends a signal from his, in-cab, boom controller to turn certain sections of the sprayer boom on/off – based upon the field’s specific application requirements.

We also see electric ball valves in the turf industry.  Golf courses or residential sprayers will commonly use this type of ball valve on their sprayer setups.  It is more prevalent in the turf industry due to the fact that the booms are much smaller than the agricultural industry.

Lastly, we do a fair amount of business in the liquid deicing industry.  If you have ever seen a department of roads/transportation vehicle that is applying liquid before a winter storm – you have witnessed this industry in action.  These vehicles are applying a solution called liquid salt brine (sodium chloride, magnesium or calcium chloride solution).  Electric driven ball valves are common in this industry because pneumatic valve airlines would freeze in the frigid winter temperatures.

For those interested, here is a link that further explains the process of creating the salt brine solution.  Below is a picture of a pneumatic-operated ball valve, on the left.  On the right you will see an electric-operated ball valve.

Gate Valves

A flanged gate valve is used in larger flow applications.  In the Dultmeier world, we most commonly see this style of valve used on large bulk fertilizer, fuel tank storage applications, and float storage tanks in the vehicle and fleet washing industry.  Gate Valves are generally designed with a circular handle that is turned clockwise to close the valve and counter-clockwise to open the valve.

Just as any other valve, we need to confirm the solution that will be passing through the valve to ensure chemical compatibility and then confirm the working or operating pressures that are required by the plumbing system.  Most commonly, we are supplying flanged gate valves for lower pressure ranges.  Below is a picture of a common flanged gate valve used in the bulk fertilizer industry.

Globe & Angle Valves

A globe valve is very similar, from an external view, to that of a gate valve.  However, when we look at the valves internally, they are quite different.  As can be seen from the previous section, the gate valve operates almost like a wedge or slate that constricts or completely closes off flow.  A globe valve has a different seat structure and more of a plunger that constricts or completely closes off flow.

Needle Valves

Next up we will take a look into needle valves and the various applications they can be used for.  Most commonly, we see these valves used in higher pressure applications such as car/truck wash and high-pressure cleaning.  Here is a grouping of various needle valves on our website, to further illustrate the variety of options.  That being said we do sell a fair amount of needle valves in the Anhydrous Ammonia industry for a bleed off application.

As always, in any application we want to confirm the solution passing through the valve, working or operating pressure range, and temperature of the solution.

Solenoid Valves

We carry a wide supply of solenoid valves from a number of suppliers.  A solenoid valve is another example of an electric valve.  However, they are drastically different than electric ball valves.  That being said, solenoid valves can be controlled remotely and are used in a number of industries.

We most commonly use them in high-pressure vehicle or fleet washing applications, industrial applications, and agriculture or turf spraying applications.  Some users in the agriculture industry are starting to migrate away from solenoid valves to ball valves – the primary reason being the necessity for the ruggedness of a ball valve versus over a solenoid valve.  Mother Nature in combination with aggressive chemicals is an extremely harsh environment for a valve.

Normally Closed vs. Normally Open

This is an important topic to address – especially in the realm of solenoid valves.  If a valve is “normally closed” it means that the valve is closed in its uncharged state.  More simply put, if there is no electrical current passing through the valve coil then it will remain closed.  If a valve is “normally open”, that means the valve is open in its uncharged state.

Various applications will call for either style.  Coils in these valves can be 12 volt, 24 volt, 110 volt and even 240 volt, which allows for a wide and versatile range of applications.

For example, in the vehicle washing industry, we may want to have a weep application on a spray gun.  We would do this to ensure the gun doesn’t freeze shut in lower temperatures.  Therefore, we want ambient water to continuously run through the system or spray gun – if a loss of power occurs.  So, in this instance we would want to ensure a normally open valve be installed in this type of a plumbing system.

Check Valves

Next up, we will look into the world of check valves.  This product is used to prevent backflow of a solution in a plumbing system.  For instance, a check valve would be utilized when pumping a solution up a vertical pipe and you do not want the solution to backflow, due to gravity, when the pump is turned off.  A check valve is a form of backflow prevention.

Furthermore, check valves keep a plumbing system charged.  By keeping the system charged we can ensure more efficient delivery of product and reduce the number of air pockets that are present in the plumbing system, which reduces pump priming time and other potential pump problems.  The more efficient a plumbing system is – the less it costs to keep it running.

Regulating Valves

A regulating valve can technically be any valve.  In this sense, if you can constrict or control the flow by manipulating the opening threshold of the valve – you have just regulated the system flow.

To that note, we are going to look at this section with this one caveat in mind – a regulating valve needs to be remotely controlled.  To do this, let’s first look into electric motor driven valves.

There are certain types actuators of ball valves or butterfly valves that manipulate the flow rate of the solution by opening or closing the valve stem a to a certain degree.  Without getting too technical this is done in conjunction with some type of flow monitor that is able to communicate with the valve actuator through a control mechanism.

This control mechanism can be a simple rate controller in a sprayer cab or as complex as a computer dashboard in a chemical production facility.  The regulating valve communicates to the flow monitor through the system controller to reach and/or maintain the desired flow rate.  This controller can be a simple rate controller or a complex computer system.

Regardless of the application – in order to remotely control a regulating valve we must have a controller that sends a signal to the valve based upon the desired flow rate of the operator.

As always, any application we want to confirm the solution passing through the valve, operating pressure range, and temperature of the solution.

Diverter Valves

A diverter valve functions very similarly to a remotely controlled regulating valve.  The main difference between a regulating valve and a diverter valve lies within the functionality.  A diverter valve is designed only to guide product flow through a system.  Therefore, the most common example of this would be a three-way ball valve.

We look at this section with the same caveat in mind – a regulating valve needs to be remotely controlled.  To do this, let’s first look into electric motor driven valves.

The diverter valve would be remotely controlled through a similar mechanism as a regulating valve.  The main difference is that the diverter valve “diverts” flow down fluid path A versus fluid path B – based upon the desired location sent by the controller or computer.

Foot Valves

Foot Valves are commonly used in transfer systems that require the pump to maintain it  prime.  A foot valve is essentially a type of check valve.  Foot valves are placed at the beginning of a suction line and are generally designed with some type of a strainer or screen to protect the plumbing system from sucking in foreign objects.

If you recall the design of the check valve, you will remember that a check valve closes when there is backflow pressure applied on the spring check.  This forces the valve to close and keeps the system suction line primed, with liquid – thus increasing the overall efficiency of the plumbing system.

Relief & Unloaded Valves

Relief and unloaded valves are commonly used in higher pressure situations with positive displacement pumps.  These valves are used to protect system components from dead-head scenarios.  A positive displacement pump will continue forcing product downstream in a plumbing system until there is a system failure such as a burst pipe, fitting, hose, etc.  Thus, the term: dead head scenario.  To help combat this scenario, relief and unloaded valves were designed.

Back Flow Preventers

In any wash down application where an operation has a water supply line connected to a public water source then it’s absolutely necessary, by regulation, to have a back flow prevention valve in place.  We distribute for Watts and commonly sell these units in vehicle/fleet wash applications, industrial applications and fertilizer/chemical facility applications.  A backflow prevention system products the main water supply in the scenario where a local business would have a system failure and back up chemical, fertilizer, hazardous material, etc. into the main water supply – backflow prevention systems inhibit this scenario from taking place.

Shut-off Valve

The shut-off valve is a closed-circuit valve that uses the valve flap to move along the centre line of the valve seat (valve) passage to control the opening and closing of the pipeline. The shut-off valve is generally suitable for transporting liquid and gaseous media within the specified standard range under various pressures and various temperature conditions, but it is not suitable for liquid containing solid precipitated or precipitated crystals. In the low-pressure pipeline, the shutoff valve can also be used to regulate the flow of media. However, due to structural constraints, the nominal diameter of the shut-off valve is below 250mm. If the pressure is high on the pipeline and the flow rate is high, the sealing surface will wear quickly. Therefore, when regulating the flow rate, a throttle valve is still preferred.

Features：

1. The wear of the sealing surface is not large, so the work is more reliable and the service life is long.

2. The sealing surface area is small and the structure is relatively simple. The time required for manufacturing the sealing surface and the precious materials required for the sealing ring are less than those of the gate valve.

3. It is more laborious to open and close the opening and closing torque. When closed, the direction of motion of the valve flap is opposite to the direction of motion of the medium, so the opening and closing torque is large.

4. The flow resistance is large. The flow resistance of the shut-off valve is the largest among all types of block valves.

5. The medium flow direction is unidirectional.

Throttle valve

The throttle valve regulates the flow and pressure of the line medium by changing the cross-sectional area of the valve passage. The  smaller the cross-sectional area, the greater the resistance to the medium being crossed and the smaller the flow. The throttle valve   not be used as a shut-off valve because it generally does not have a sealing surface. Even it does have a sealing surface, the sealing surface is quickly eroded and loses its sealing property under the action of a high-speed medium.

Safety valve

The safety valve is a protection valve. It is installed on pressurized equipment, vessels, and piping. The safety valve is normally closed by an external force. When the pressure of the protected pipeline medium exceeds the specified value, the valve flap automatically opens to discharge excess medium to lower the pressure; and when the medium pressure returns to within the specified value, it automatically closes. The safety valve acts as a conduit to ensure safe operation of the system and equipment. Safety valves are widely used in boilers, compressor air reservoirs, high-pressure vessels and pipelines, etc., where the working pressure of the medium may exceed the allowable value and cause a risk of bursting.

Pressure relief valve

This valve can reduce the pressure of the medium in the equipment container or in the pipeline to a prescribed pressure. It can maintain the outlet pressure within a certain range in the case where the inlet  pressure changes and the flow outlet changes.

Some appliances perform vital functions, and people are not aware of them just because they are small or not within the eye’s grasp most of the time. These mechanical parts are used daily, and a minor fault could render a giant machine useless. An example of this is the ballall valve. 

Ball valves are used in every industry, from healthcare to mining, food processing, oil and gas, and even homes.

What is a Ball Valve? 

A ball valve is a mechanical flow control device that is used to modulate and direct the flow of liquid through it. This shut-off ball valve serves as a guide to handling different substances like gas, petrol, and other pressure liquids flow. The ball valve uses a perforated, hollow, and pivoting ball to achieve this.

This valve consists of a spherical obturator with a cylindrical hole as wide as a pipe, valve handle, and ball with a hole drilled into it. It is put to work by rotating the ball (using the handle) 90⁰ around its axis; this either lets the substance go through or blocks its movement.

After the handle is rotated, the valve gets to a closed position, and the solid side of the ball effectively creates a seal and obstruction, keeping the contents of the substance trapped. 

Ball valves are solid, durable, and easy to repair. They are an excellent choice for industrial and personal shut-off applications. Ball valves are used in various hydrocarbon process applications; they are capable of throttling gasses and vapor.

How Does A Ball Valve Work? 

The ball valve works rotationally. When the stem transfers motion to the ball connected, the ball starts to rotate. The rotation of this ball then helps the bore to either open or close, which in turn causes the fluid to start or stop flowing.  The actuator has to rotate out 90 degrees clockwise for the fluid to start flowing; to stop it, it has to rotate back 90 degrees again, turning the stem in an anticlockwise direction.

To get into more detail, for a manually operated ball valve, when the opening of the ball matches the inlet and outlet ports, the flow of substance continues uninterruptedly through the valve. It will undergo a minimal pressure drop if it is a complete port ball valve being used. The pressure drop will increase if it is a standard port ball valve. 

If a substance is currently flowing through the pipes, then the operator must be placed parallel to the pipeline. This also indicates that the ball’s flow passages are in line with the body’s flow passage, hence the media flow. To stop the flow, however, the hand operator will need to be turned to the closed position. When this is done, the opening of the body starts to move perpendicular to the flow stream, and the edges of the port begin to rotate through the seat.

Once the handle is at the fully-closed position, the hole is now positioned perpendicular to the flow stream, thereby blocking and preventing anything from going past the ball.

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To achieve a throttling ball valve flow, the ball should be in a partially open and partially close position. This position should, however, not be maintained under high pressure conditions for a very long time because the balls could become permanently locked in that position.

Ball valve symbol

Ball valve symbols can be classified into two – the two-way symbol and the three-four-way symbol. 

Two Way Symbol

The two-way symbol is demonstrated by two equilateral triangles that point at each other, and there is a ball at the center. The triangles are in the shape of arrowheads bumping face first against each other.

The Three-Four Way Symbol

To represent ball valves with multiple ports, additional symbols were added. The T-port and L-port valves are represented with lines within the ball symbol. They are symbolized in 6 different variations with a small arrow showing the flow path beside the symbol.

Common Types Of Ball Valves 

Ball valves come in different specifications.

Standard Port Ball Valve

The standard Port Ball Valve flow is usually smaller than the valve’s pipe size. For a pipe valve diameter of  up to size 12″ NB, the bore diameter is usually one size less, 2 and 3 less for a pipe diameter of valve sizes 14″ NB to 24″ NB, and for sizes above 24″ NB, respectively.

What this means for the user is that it will slightly limit or restrict the pipe content’s flow even when opened to the last. 

This type of ball valve is less expensive compared to most other common types of ball types. They are durable and have a higher pressure drop. 

Standard Port Ball Valve is ideal for use with a high flow coefficient.

Full Port Ball Valve

What is a complete port ball valve? 

Also known as the Full Bore valve, full Port ball valves have an oversized ball and a borehole with the exact fitting of the pipe that leads to the valve. 

The entire port or full bore valve does not cause frictional loss, and allows pigging, thereby making it very easy to clean mechanically.

This type of ball valve is more expensive due partly to its higher weight than the standard ball valves. Full port valves are used in steady and high flow coefficient situations; it is the best valve for flow control.

V Port Ball Valve

The V Port ball valve comes either as a V-shaped seat or ball. This allows the opening and closing of the orifice to be much better control-wise. The flow characteristics of V Port ball valves are just about linear.

The V ball control valve does not have a borehole. It is a floating ball that gets compressed whenever the valve opens, and when it is closed, the ball goes back to size, blocking the valve’s in and out ports perfectly, giving it a tighter seal.

For the reason of high fluid velocity, which might damage a standard valve quickly, good industrial valve manufacturers make sure the design is given a more robust construction.

Multi Port Ball Valve

The multi-port ball valve is a  4 or three way ball valve type with multiple connectors that allow the flow of substances to be diverted into as many directions as needed. 

There is an L to T-shaped hole in the middle of the three or four-way ball valve. The L valve allows the center port to connect to either side of the ports or even disconnect the three, but it can not cause a connection between the two side ports.T valves, on the other hand, can connect any pair of ports at all or even all three. 

The four-way ball valve comes with two L-shaped ports that can not connect to each other. They are sometimes called “x ports.”

True Union Ball Valve

Trunnion mounted ball valves have two shafts at the sides of the ball facing each other, which enables the valve to support the segmented ball, thereby reducing the friction that occurs between the various parts of the Trunnion ball valve. A pin is used to stop the ball’s movements and secure it in place. 

Trunnion ball valves can be applied in systems that have high velocity and pressure (about 600 psi upwards) since it is capable of withstanding more pressure than the standard ball valve. 

This type of ball valve has double unions, which can be sealed at either end. This allows them to be completely removed from a piping system for repair or replacement.

Manually Operated Ball Valve

The manually operated ball valve is a common type of ball valve that can be manually controlled with the aid of a handle that is placed outside of the pipe. 

Due to its simple and minimalistic design, manually operated ball valves are easy to use. It takes only a quarter turn to open and close the valve.

However, because manually operated ball valves can be closed quickly, it poses the risk of water hammer

Motorized Ball Valve

Motorized ball valves are the type of ball valves that are primarily used in big industrial plants and automated factories. They are electric-powered ball valves.

With motorized Ball valves, opening and closing valves are done by an electronically powered motor that is placed over the valve.

Sanitary Ball Valve

These types of ball valves come in different sizes and configurations manually, mechanical, or electric powered.

Sanitary ball valves are primarily used in the food, beverage, health, and pharmaceutical manufacturing industries. These valves are basically for applications in cases where sanitization is required.

Sanitary ball valves have smooth and polished surfaces, which helps to prevent the build-up of debris. 

What Are Ball Valve Parts? 

Below are six crucial parts that can be found in every ball valve:

1. The body

This is the central part of the entire device and contains all of the internal components. Usually, a valve’s body is made of metal, metal with ceramic or plastic. 

2. Ball

The main characteristic that differentiates ball valves from other valve types is a ball with a center hole or bore. It is through this center hole that the media flows. This hole connects the inlet to the outlet through one axis. The ball is either free-floating or Trunnion mounted. 

3. Seats

The seats are discs placed in between the body and the ball. They support the ball and provide a seal between it and the body. The ball valve seats distribute the seating stress uniformly and serve as a seal (usually a polymer or elastomer) that keeps the fluid locked inside. 

4. Stem

It is the stem in a ball valve that connects the rotary ball to an external control system. In a manually operated ball valve, for example, it is the stem that is connected to a lever or handle.

5. Power Source

For the stem of the ball valve to be able to rotate, a manual or actuated power source is required to provide energy to it.

Automatic Actuated energy uses an electric, hydraulic or pneumatic power source, while manual actuators use handles and levers, which an operator will have to control. 

6. Packing

The packing is a seal around the stem that prevents the substance from escaping.

7. Bonnet

The bonnet is visible in the opening of the body; it is used to cover this opening in the ball valve. The bonnet also serves as a pressure boundary. It accommodates the ball and stem assembly with its cap fastened tight to the body. 

For more details on ball valve parts, you can read our full ball valve components guide

What Does A Ball Valve Do

What is a ball valve used for? Well, ball valves have numerous functions and this makes them really popular amongst manufacturers. They are the most commonly used mechanical device for not only industrial but household applications as well. 

The first and primary ball valve function is to create isolation. Ball valve is used for making a turn on/turn off action. Ball valve types are incredible for applications where an on/off action is required. Whether manual or electronically operated, ball valves are able to turn actions on and turn them off after. 

The ball valve handle serves as an indicator of the valve’s on/off status. If the handle is parallel to the valve, this means it is open, but if the handle is perpendicular, this means the valve is closed.

Another thing a ball valve does is reduce or restrict the flow of the medium. Flow reduction is a secondary function of ball valves. The rotary ball of the ball valve is used for controlling the flow of gasses or fluids. When the bore in the ball is in line with the direction of the flow, substances can pass through freely. However, when the ball is turned 90 degrees, there is a complete halt to flow. 

What Are Ball Valve Applications? 

One reason for the popularity of the ball valve over all other kinds of valves is its versatility. Ball valves can be utilized across a wide range of applications. They are good with both liquids and gasses. Some significant applications of ball valves include:

Oil and Gas

The oil and gas industry could easily be the most significant users of the ball valve as they deal entirely in liquid and gaseous substances. Ball valves are used as isolation valves for thermal cracking units. It is also used to measure and meter the gas distribution, amongst multiple other use cases.

Pharmaceuticals

Like oil and gas, another industry that uses and requires ball valves the most is a pharmaceutical company. It is in this application that sanitary ball valve types are used a lot. 

Petrochemical

Ball valves in the petrochemical industry are used to handle highly viscous fluids, for emission control, etc.

Other practical applications of Ball valves can be found in the following:

• Water Supply Industry
• Food Production
• Vehicle Wash Systems
• Outdoor hoses
• Irrigation Systems
• Automotive Industry

Ball Valve Installation And Maintenance 

Before installation commences, all welding works must have been completed, and the flanges cooled down to ambient temperature. It can be installed appropriately by following these ball valve installation instructions:

• Check the material of the entire valve, the body, seat, and the ball to make sure there are no possible defects that could have been caused by storage or in the process of shipping.
• Check the valve’s pressure rating in comparison with the ball valve application requirement
• Make sure the ball valve’s flange (ANSI 150, NPT, socket weld ANSI), thread (NPT, BSP, socket weld ANSI), and the solvent weld (BLP schedule 40) meet the application requirements.
• Clean the flange’s surface, so it is free from debris when it comes in contact with the ball valve.
• The valve must be supported where necessary so that the load on the piping is reduced, especially when working with bigger valves.
• Install a pipe union. This will allow the valve to be removable for maintenance; it is indispensable when working with metal pipework for two and 3-way valves (BVS, BVF8 & BLS3)
• Now ensure that bolts are well tightened on a flange valve one after another. Apply pressure to form a seal between the flanges and valve.
• Once that is complete, put the valve to work severally to make sure there are no impingements. If this is done, the device is now ready for operation.

Maintenance

Proper ball valve maintenance culture will help increase their lifespan. To maintain:

• The valve should be cycled once every month if it is not active.
• Clean the valve using a towel to wipe off dirt, oil, or dust regularly. Do not use cleaning agents that will react negatively with the valve’s material.
• Lubricate regularly using water-insoluble, synthetic, or oil-based lubricants. 
• A routine inspection should be carried out at intervals by a trained inspection officer.

Ball valve packing 

Valve packing is the seal required in valves to allow motion of the stem from an actuator. Packing makes sure that the process fluid is sealed and there are no leaks between the moving stem and the valve’s body.

The commonly used type of packing is the Chevron V-ring type packing. Ball valve packing stops the flowing media from leaving the body of the valve through the stem opening Inside the bonnet.

The packing material takes the form of multiple concentric rings, which are usually stacked on top of each other; the stem is then inserted through this packing. 

The packing flange forces these packing rings down from above to put a compressive force around the valve stem’s circumference.

This force is significant because that is what creates mechanical stress in the packing material, allowing it to seal tightly against the valve’s stem and the bonnet’s interior wall.  

The two nuts used to maintain proper force on the packing should not be over-tightened as this could over-compress the packing material. If this happens, there will be excessive friction on the valve’s stem, which will cause the stem to wear over time and might lead to leakage.

What to consider before buying ball valves? 

Before purchasing ball valves, several factors need to be put into consideration so as to get the perfect value for money. Some of the things that should be considered before buying ball valves include:

Material

Nobody wants to buy a product made with the wrong material, unsuitable for their case application, or even counterfeit materials. Ball valves are made with different materials, some of which are:

• PVC: Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is a type of plastic used especially in making industrial water valves. It is a durable, rugged, and rigid material. One main advantage of PVC ball valves is that they are less expensive than most other materials. PVC valves are corrosion resistant.

• Stainless Steel: it contains chromium in high quantity and some nickel too. Stainless steel is used in making different ball valve types be because of the many essential attributes it contains. It is famous for its durability and high corrosion resistance.

• Iron:  This material is the most commonly used in oil and gas, water, and steam lines. This is because iron is capable of resisting a wide range of pressure and temperature

• CPVC: CPVC or chlorinated PVC contains almost all the features of PVC; the difference is that CPVC can withstand higher temperatures. It is suitable for ball valves that handle hot water.

• Bronze and Brass: this material is water and corrosion-resistant. It is popular because of its shiny surface, high durability, and toughness. Bronze and Brass ball valves are an ideal ball valve for high temperature applications. 

• PP: Propylene monomer is also used for making Polypropylene Ball Valve (PP). It has the ability to resist acids and bases. This material is durable, flexible, lightweight, and rigid thermoplastic. Polypropylene Ball Valves are commonly used in the consumables industries like sugar, flour, etc., and other products like chemicals, fertilizers, and paper, among numerous lots.

Design

Ball valves come in different designs, as will be required by the specific purposes they were designed for. The user application determines the design that should be bought.

Popular ball valve designs are:

• Full Bore
• Reduced Bore
• V-shaped
• Vented

Ball Valve Standard

Before buying a ball valve, it must be certified standard by the relevant organizations.

They are:

• ANSI: the American National Standards Institute is an organization saddled with the responsibility of setting voluntary safety standards for manufacturers in the United States. Check for ANSI’s label on ball valves to confirm their safety.
• Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC): The Uniform Plumbing Code are set of codes and standards set by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) to ensure the safety of both plumbers and consumers alike. All the best types of plumbing valves have this.
• Underwriters Laboratories (UL): this global organization is responsible for testing mechanical parts, which includes ball valves, to ensure that they function correctly. The UL also devotes itself to promoting safe industrial practices in industries of all countries. 

Ball Valve Sizes

Ball valves come in numerous varying sizes. Although some ball valves are made custom to fit specifications, there generally are standard sizes that are common in the ball valve market.

The sizes have their specific purpose, which they serve, a size for a function. When buying a ball valve, check for the size suitable for your application so as not to buy the wrong one. Some of the standard sizes you will find on the label are:

• 2-inch ball valve
• 1-inch ball valve
• ¾ ball valve
• ½ ball valve
• ⅜ ball valve
• ¼ ball valve

Working Pressure

The working pressure, as seen on the label as ratings, indicates the application type a ball valve is most suitable for. 

Some of the pressure ratings you will find are:

• Pressure Nominal Classes (PN)- the PN Class number tells you the amount of pressure the ball valve is able to withstand. It is displayed on the item as bars, and each bar represents 14. pounds of pressure.
• PSI Rating – PSI stands for pounds per square; it is commonly used in the United States as a measurement of pressure for equipment and instruments. PSI rating indicates the pressure of liquid or gas that a ball valve is capable of allowing its flow through the pipe. 
• WSP Rating: WSP stands for Working steam pressure, which tells buyers the maximum pressure of steam that a ball valve can withstand at the highest temperature rating. 
• CWP & WOG Ratings: CWP stands for Cold working pressure and WOG for Water, oil, and gas.  CWP indicates a ball valve’s maximum pressure rating between the temperatures of -20° Fahrenheit to 100° Fahrenheit. CWP is commonly used with the valve’s pressure rating.

The WOG rating, however, has become old and is no longer used as often as it was before. This rating means that it is suitable for water, oil, and gaseous substances applications. 

For more information, please visit Trunnion Valve Balls.

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