Ball valves are straight-through valves that need only a quarter-turn to be opened or closed. The ball valves have a circular closing feature, which is located in the seat within the valve. This design enables for consistent sealing stress inside the valve. Ball valves are called for the ball-closing element, which rotates to open and close the valve. Owing to even sealing stress, ball valves are a perfect choice where a tight seal is required when the valve is closed. They are capable of moving substances in all three states (solid, liquid, and gas) as well as slurries (liquids with suspended solids).
5 Types of Ball Valves
There are five main types of ball valves that can be used to perform a wide range of tasks. Each form of ball valve has various benefits, which may make one type of ball valve more acceptable than another.
Full Port
Full port ball valves are designed to have an oversized ball that is equal in diameter to the inside of the pipe present. As the diameter of the hole in the valve bore is the same as the rest of the pipe when the valve is open, the material flow through the valve and out the other side is uncontrolled. This is the biggest benefit of a full port ball valve.
Full port ball valves are most widely used in throttling applications. They are regarded to be recovery valves and can be used in different structures with low-pressure drops and strong flow coefficients.
Standard Port
Standard port ball valves vary from full port ball valves in that the size of the hole in the bore is smaller in diameter than the interior of the pipe around the valve. It results in a decrease in some of the material flow. Although they are usually cheaper than other types of valves, standard port valves appear to have higher pressure drops than others.
Like full port valves, Standard port valves are recovery valves commonly used in systems with a high flow coefficient.
V Port
V port ball valves can have a V-shaped ball or a V-shaped seat. When the valve is shifted to an open position, the bottom part of the V is opened first. It provides greater control over the passage of fluid through the open valve. This type of ball valve demands a better level of construction than other forms of valves because the fluids flowing through the valve move at a greater velocity.
V port valves are generally used in the chemical plants, as well as in the paper and power industries.
True Union (Trunnion)
True Union ball valves are distinct from other forms of ball valves they are constructed to have a pin in place to secure the ball such that it does not move. True union valves use a segmented ball that is supported by the valve through the use of two shafts located at opposite ends of the ball. The true union ball valves are built to create less friction between the sections of the valve.
True union type valves are more widely used in high-speed structures that are under greater pressure than normal ball valves would be able to withstand. These ball valves can be removed from the pipe systems when required.
Manually Operated
Due to its ease of use and simplicity of structure, the most popular form of ball valve is manually operated. There are several valves that are equipped with flow control motors as well as the opening and closing of the valve. Manual operation of the ball valves is usually simple, involving only a quarter turn to completely close or open the valve, although the rapid closure of the valves poses a danger of water hammering.
Ball valves are capable of withstanding high pressure, high velocity and high temperature flow. These property makes ball valves popular among chlorine producers, in systems on ships, and within fire safety protection services.
