Ball valves find use in regulating clean air, compressed gas, and liquids. These are quarter-turn valves with an excellent sealing ability due to materials like nylon, Delrin, synthetic rubbers, and fluorinated polymers. These valves also provide very little resistance to flow owing to their smooth body and port. In this blog, we take you through the types and applications of ball valves.
Types of ball valves
Ball valves are manufactured in both high and low pressure, which determines their resistance to each type of condition. However, in terms of their design, we have the following different types of ball valves:
Split-Body Ball Valve
A split-body ball valve has two distinct body parts, that is, a cover, ball, seat rings, stem, and other internals. A flange connection holds the two parts of the valve together. The ball is inserted in the larger body part while the smaller is assembled by a bolted connection.
Top-Entry Ball Valve
A bonnet cover provides entry to the valve for removal, maintenance, assembly, and repair of the internals. The valve as a whole is not required to be removed from the piping.
End-Entry Ball Valve
These have a single-piece body. The ball is inserted from one end and retained using an insert.
Three-Piece Body Ball Valve
The middle piece holds the major part of the valve apparatus while the end connections are a part of the end caps and may be butt-welded, socket welded, threaded, or flanged.
Double Trunnion Ball Valves
Top and bottom trunnions form the two integral short-shaft extensions. The ball is held firmly in place unlike the balls in other designs where it is supported by two seat rings.
Lubricated or Non-Lubricated Ball Valves
Stem sealing of valves is usually accomplished by bolted packing glands and O-ring seals. Lubricated ball valves have lubrication sealed systems that are not present in non-lubricated valves.
Advantages of Ball Valves
- Ball valves are some of the tightest valves out there. They have a reputation for providing “bubble-tight” service.
- These are easy and quick to open and close.
- Ball valves are both smaller in size and lighter in weight as compared to gate valves.
- Plenty of choices are available due to the large number of designs.
- They provide reliable service in high-pressure and high-temperature conditions.
Quite clearly, ball valves are some of the most sophisticated and high-utility valves available in the market. Most importantly, you can always pick and choose your ball valves from the available design variants to suit your needs.
VEMC is an authorised Kirloskar ball valve dealer. For more information on Kirloskar valves or any of our other products, feel free to contact us on +91 98199 07445. We will do our best to introduce the right solution based on your requirements. As one of the leading valve dealers in the country, VEMC provides unmatched piping and supply service to its clients. VEMC is ISO 9001:2015 certified and a pioneer in electromechanical engineering products, allied equipment, and services.