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Why Does The Ball Valve Deserve a Special Mention?

Out of several valves being use today, the Ball Valve deserves a special mention. Quarter-turn valve is another name for this useful valve type. You can use this valve type for several applications including liquids and gases, and for applications where you expect a quick shut-off. When considering applications, advantages, and types; the Ball Valve takes a top spot, and we are here to prove it.

Let’s get to know about its structure a bit better now!

A hollow sphere that turns when the lever is turn controls the fluid flow here. In other words, the hollow sphere is the main component of this valve type. Depending on the application, you can choose a valve that is made of either plastic or a metal. The versatility of the valve is a thing to highlight, and we will explain it to you in the next few paragraphs. While it is difficult to say how many Ball Valve types are there on the market today, we can say; “it’s a lot.” The body of the valve may be a single piece or more pieces connect either by bolts or fasteners.

For more details

Ball Valve

Plastic Valves

A Ball Valve made of plastic is a top choice for domestic plumbing applications today. Light-weight, versatility, and tight sealing are the benefits of using plastic valves for domestic plumbing applications. Anyway, you can’t use plastic valves for applications where high temperatures are involve, so a valve made of a metal is the best choice for such applications.

Ball Valve applications

Ships, oil rigs, gas plants, bioprocessing, water treatment, chlorine manufacturing, pharmaceutical, fire protection, and beverage are the common applications of this versatile valve type. So, you can understand its special capabilities here. High-pressure, high-temperature, safety, quick shut-off, and reliability are the factors that make this valve type the best type available on the market today. We can explain it to you with an example. Pipelines from an oil rig transfer liquids at high-pressure. So, you can’t use an ordinary valve here. The Ball Valve that you can use for high-pressure applications such as for oil rigs should be made of a metal, and plastic is not the best material option here. Manufacturers have now introduce new features that make the Ball Valve the best option for applications mention above:

* Valve stop

This feature prevents the lever turn more than 90 degrees.

* Position indicators

These indicators show the flow direction. A useful feature for multi-port valves.

* Fire-safe

The plastic seal of the valve can get melt under high-temperature. A metal seat protects the rubber seal here.

* Anti-static

Rubbing of surfaces can cause static electricity, which increases the risk of fire when transferring flammable liquids. A Ball Valve now comes with a feature that minimizes static electricity formation.

Removable valves

Single-piece valves are hard to dismantle and repair. Manufacturers now produce valves that can be split apart for easy repair and maintenance. You can split the structure of the valve from the top (top-entry) or split the body.

Ball Valve Lever

The lever of the valve is the component that controls the flow-controlling sphere. Valves for general applications come with a handle, and valves for robust applications come with a wheel for higher torque generation. Such valves are widely being use for high-pressure applications — oil rigs, ships, water treatment, and gas plants.

OK, let’s get to know all the advantages in detail now!

Ball Valve

* Ease of operation

When compare to other valve types available on the market, the Ball Valve takes the top spot in terms of ease of use. As mention, you can fully control the flow just by turning the lever at 90 degrees angle.

* Easy to repair and maintain

This valve type usually doesn’t require repair and maintenance. Removable body lets you inspect interior components for damage and wear.

* Applications

Engineers were facing issues when choosing valves for high-pressure and high-temperature applications in the past. The Ball Valve was the solution they found for demanding applications. The robustness of the valve makes it suitable for high-pressure, high-volume, and high-temperature applications. Anyway, you should choose valves made with metals here.

* No need to lubricate the valves.

How to choose the right valve type for your application? Well, engineers and technicians in the industry know how to choose the right Ball Valve for their applications. Several factors are there to consider here.

1) The temperature.

2) The pressure.

3) The volume.

4) Right material.

5) Valve function.

6) Method of control.

Talk to a professional in the industry or your distributor for more information on choosing the right valve type for your specific application.

Also, you should be very careful with the valve selection for applications that involve chemical transfer such as chlorine and corrosive liquids. Steel is the widely use material for many valve types available on the market today. Steel is strong, light-weight, and versatile. Brass and copper are other top material choices for valve types.

Two-way valves, multiway valves, valves for manifold mountings, and application-specific valves are available on the market for hundreds of applications. Locking devices, assembly bores, detent, actuators, connectors, and limit switches are the available accessories for this versatile valve type. Butterfly valves, gate valves, diaphragm valves, globe valves, and general valves are the other types available on the market today. Well, these Ball Valve also come with advantages that are unique to each other. For example, butterfly valves are ideal for applications where larger diameters are involved. Globe valves are suitable for applications where flow control rate is necessary.

Wrapping up

So, now you have understood the top advantages of using a Ball Valve over other valve types available today. Anyway, we can’t ignore the unique advantages of other valve types too. When compared to other valve types, the Ball Valve is versatile, robust, reliable, and affordable. Still, talk to an expert in the industry who can recommend you the right valve type for your application. Yes, you can contact us for any questions and concerns about valve types. Did you know that around 30,000 valve options and other accessories are available today on the market?

Stainless steel, steel, brass, PVC, and copper are the top material choices for valves types that suit for hundreds of high-pressure, high-temperature, high-volume, and general applications. Also, modern valves come with additional features to minimize the risk of fire, static electricity, leakage, and wear/tear. So, buying a full-featured Ball Valve will save your time and money in the long run as no failures and errors.