What is a Ball Valve?
Ball valves are considered as mechanical devices that are able to
- control the flow of different substances
- guiding the flow of different substances
- directing the flow of different substances
- modulating the flow of different substances
- such as gas, pressure, liquids, etc.
Classification of Ball Valve
The ball valves can be classified according to different features. Some of the features are mentioned below;
Number of Ports
Classification according to Number of Ports.
-
- A standard ball valve type: A standard ball valve type consist of two ports
- 1 inlet port
- 1 outlet port
- A 3-way port: A 3-way port consist of
- 1 inlet port and 2 outlets ports or
- 2 inlets port and 1 outlet port.
- A standard ball valve type: A standard ball valve type consist of two ports
Design
Classification according to Multiple designs of Ball Valve such as
-
- trunnion mounted designs
- Floating designs etc
Seat Type
Classification according to seat type. For example;
-
- Metal
- Teflon
Body Assembly
Classification of Ball Valve according to
-
- Unibody
- 2 pieces
- 3 pieces.
Ball Access:
Classification according to ball access.
-
- the top entry of Ball Valve
- Side entry of Ball Valve
Bore Size:
Classification according to Bore Size; Some of these are mentioned below;
-
- V-notch
- reduced bore
- Full bore
| Butterfly valve | Ball valve | |
| Cost of valve | Inexpensive than a ball valve, particularly for larger sizes | More costly as compared to a butterfly valve |
| Installation space of the valve | Needs lesser installation space as compared to ball valve | Needs more space than a butterfly valve |
| Size of valve | ideal for bigger pipe diameter (diameter above DN 150) | Ideal for smaller pipe diameter (diameter below DN 50) |
| Weight of valve | Lightweight even at larger pipe diameters | Heavyweight |
| Flow control of valve | ideal for ON/OFF control but can be used for proportional control. | Functions in a good way for both ON/OFF and modulating control |
| Leakage of valve | leakages at an extreme-pressure difference | Delivers strong and tight seal even at a high-pressure difference |
| Flow restriction of valve | Valve disc controls and restricts flow creating a pressure drop. | Full port ball valves are with no pressure drop. |