Ball Valve

Your Professional Ball Valve Supplier

Our company owns a full set of equipment,complete processing and testing methods.The establishing of CAD valve design center and three-dimensional simulated manufacturing experimental design system ensures that new products with high quality can be developed promptly.Implementing perfect quality assurance system,our company is making unremitting endeavor for obtaining API certification on the passing ISO 9001, CE, API 6D International Quality Certification.

Reliable Product Quality
Implementing perfect quality assurance system,our company is making unremitting endeavor for obtaining API certification on the passing ISO 9001, CE, API 6D International Quality Certification.

Wide Product Range
Types of products include gate valve , globe valve, ball valve, check valve,plug valve,metal sealing butterfly valve as well as high temperature and high pressure power station special valve.

Advanced Equipment
Our company owns a full set of equipment,complete processing and testing methods.The establishing of CAD valve design center and three-dimensional simulated manufacturing experimental design system ensures that new products with high quality can be developed promptly.

Excellent Customer Service
We guarantee to reply clients within 24 hours and solve your problems in the first time with phone call. We offer field service and technical training upon request and can appoint specialists to clients' sites for installation, instruction, and usage assistance if request.

What is Ball Valve?

A ball valve is a type of shut-off valve used to manage the flow of liquids, gases, and vapors within a piping system. It operates by rotating a ball with a central bore that either permits or blocks flow. The ball is positioned between two seats and connected to an operating mechanism via a shaft. When the bore's cross-section is aligned perpendicularly to the flow direction, the valve blocks the fluid. Conversely, when the bore is aligned with the flow, the fluid passes through, with the flow rate determined by the exposed area of the bore.

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Advantages of Ball Valve

High efficiency
Due to the size of the opening in the ball, ball valves are considered high recovery valves since they have a low-pressure drop and high flow capacity. There is little turbulence or resistance to fluid flow when the valve is fully open.

Convenient usage
As a result of their simple quarter-turn (90-degree) operation, ball valves are efficient and convenient to use. As the valve is relatively lightweight and small, it is also easy to install and remove.

Low maintenance
Compared to other types of valves, ball valves are simple and require less maintenance. Because the ball valve stem rotates without axial movement, the packing seal on the valve stem does not easily wear or fail. Ball valves are easy to disassemble and repair, and worn parts can be easily replaced.

Cost-efficient
The cost of ball valves is affordable compared to more complex valve types. Also, as they have low maintenance needs, they’re cheaper to maintain.implement in the long term.

Robust
Ball valves are among the most robust valve types because of their ability to withstand high pressures. Their wide range of materials enables them to be used in a variety of environments across a variety of industries.

Types of Ball Valve

Top inlet ball valve
Top entry ball valves have maintenance access at the top of the valve body. This allows the valve to be repaired without having to remove it from the system and is widely used for welded ends and gas applications. They are also ideal for applications where space is limited.

Floating ball valve
Floating ball valves do not have a trunnion to support the ball at the bottom. Floating balls allow better sealing and less wear on the valve seat. These valves are commonly used in low pressure applications.

Trunnion or guided ball valves
Guided ball valves have a trunnion that prevents the ball from moving at the bottom. This guide or trunnion is connected to the lower end of the valve body. This allows the ball to rotate without friction and provides a better seal. Guided or trunnion ball valves are commonly used in high pressure and high temperature applications. In this publication we want to show you up to 8 types of ball valves.

Double block and bleed valve
Double block and bleed valves normally have two balls in a single valve body. This allows, in addition to upstream and downstream sealing, simultaneous blocking and venting of the two valve sections for maintenance and repair. They are ideal for applications where complete cleanliness of the process line is required, such as preventing product contamination, calibration, fluid transmission and storage.

Side inlet ball valvel
In side inlet ball valves, in the valve assembly the ball is mounted sideways to the valve body. In general, side inlet ball valves are more economical than top inlet valves. This type of side entry design is a good choice for high pressure applications.

Orbital valve
Orbital valves have a ball that rotates around an eccentric axis, which means that in addition to rotating 90º like all balls, it then moves allowing for better sealing and precise flow control. They are ideal for applications where a high degree of accuracy and flow control is required.

V bore ball valve
V-pitch ball valves are similar to a conventional ball valve, but with a contoured V-notch segment in the ball instead of a sphere. This notch can be supplied in various degrees (15º, 30º, 60º…). It can be used as a regulating valve and is available in a wide range.

Forged ball valve
Forged ball valves are machined directly from round or bar stock, which avoids porosity and other casting defects. They are also stronger and more durable than cast ball valves. They are ideal for high pressure and high temperature applications and are less prone to damage from impact or vibration.

Material of Ball Valve

PVC

PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) is resistant to most acids, bases, salt solutions, and organic solvents. PVC has a low price (except for ISO-top valves), and the material is popularly used in water supply, irrigation, and drainage with corrosive media. PVC is not suitable for temperatures higher than 60°C and is not resistant to aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons. PVC ball valves have a long service life and better resistance to corrosion and cavitation. However, these valves are not as strong as brass or stainless steel and are unsuitable for high pressure and temperature applications.

Brass

Brass is stronger than plastic and hence more expensive. Brass can withstand more heat compared to plastic; hence brass ball valves are an ideal choice in home plumbing applications. Brass is highly malleable and can be welded easily compared to stainless steel. At times lead is added to brass (typically less than 2%); hence choose a lead-free variant for ball valve applications involving drinking water. Brass has better corrosion resistance compared to bronze and cast iron. Brass may break down when exposed to high chlorine levels.

Stainless steel

Stainless steel is a highly durable and resilient metal used for high temperature and pressure applications. Stainless steel has better resistance to corrosion and leaks when compared to brass. Stainless steel 316 is highly resistant to chlorides; hence the ball valves made from this material can be used in marine environments. These valves are often used in applications involving high temperatures and chemicals like swimming pools, seawater, and osmosis installations. Stainless steel 304 and 316 are the most common types; however, Type 316 has the best corrosion resistance. Stainless steel ball valves require higher operating torque than PVC or brass ball valves.

Bronze

Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin; the material is strong and malleable (it doesn’t crack quickly). Parts made from bronze are manufactured by casting the material into a mold or by fabricating a pre-cast bronze ingot. Bronze has a rough, porous exterior with small cavities on the surface as a result of the casting process. Bronze alloys with selective additives can hold a polish on their surface. Bronze has many benefits like high ductility (resistance to cracking), low cost (compared to brass), and corrosion resistance.

Application of Ball Valve

Plumbing Systems
In residential plumbing, ball valves are commonly used to control the flow of water to various fixtures such as sinks, toilets, and showers. Their ability to provide a tight seal ensures there are no leaks, making them ideal for home use. Homeowners appreciate their easy visual confirmation of the valve’s open or closed position and easy operation.

Heating Systems
Ball valves also find application in house heating systems. They help regulate the flow of water or steam to radiators or underfloor heating systems. Their rugged design allows them handle high pressure ratings that often exist in those systems, thus ensuring reliability over long periods.

Garden Irrigation
Ball valves control the flow of water into different zones within garden irrigation systems. This is to enable homeowners to efficiently manage watering schedules so that every part of the garden receives adequate amounts of moisture. The simplicity involved with manual ball valves makes them a common choice for this purpose.

Oil and Gas Industry
In the petroleum industry, the job of regulating crude oil as well as natural gas flow through pipelines is handled by ball valves. The fact that they can function in such tough conditions and also be under high pressure makes them an integral part of this field. Ball valves guarantee that operations are done efficiently and safely, reducing chances of leaks which would destroy the entire pipeline system. Using either full bore or reduced bore designs enables different flow rate demands to be met.

Chemical Processing
In chemical processing plants, the flow of different chemicals is controlled by ball valves. Their materials can be selected to be resistant to corrosion, thus enhancing their longevity and safety. Ball valve’s accuracy and dependability aid in maintaining required flow rates and levels of pressure in chemical processes and reactions.

Food and Beverage Industry
In the food and beverage industry, sanitary ball valves are utilized for handling the flow of liquids, such as water, juices and dairy products. These valves are made to meet stringent hygiene standards so as not to have any contamination. Their designs which are easy to clean and can provide a perfect tight seal make them ideal for use in food processing plants that require packaging. The use of these sanitary ball valves in such applications can also be beneficial in meeting rigorous health standards.

Pharmaceutical Industry
Precise control of fluids in medicine manufacturing by the pharmaceutical industry depends on ball valves. The cleanliness standards that must be met for these valves are stringent to prevent contamination. They are reliable and easy to use and this makes them ideal for applications that need tight regulation of flow rates in different control applications.

Water Treatment Plants
The flow of water through various stages of the treatment process in water purification plants is controlled by ball valves. They are responsible for regulating the inflow of raw water, managing flows through filtration systems, controlling addition of chemicals and ensuring an effective distribution of treated water. In order to maintain efficient and safe water treatment operations, they must have a capability to handle high pressures, tight sealing ability as well as prevention of undesired backflows.

Components of Ball Valve

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Valve Housing
The valve housing, or body, encloses all internal components of the ball valve. It provides a secure, sealed environment for the ball, ensuring accurate control of fluid flow through the valve. Typically, the housing includes inlet and outlet ports for pipe connections. It is constructed from durable materials like metal, thermoplastic, or thermoplastic-lined metal to safeguard the internal parts, guaranteeing the valve’s longevity and reliability in various industrial settings.

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Ball
The ball within a ball valve is a sphere with a central hole known as the bore. The bore serves as the passage for fluid flow when it aligns with the valve's flow path. If the bore is perpendicular to the flow direction, it restricts the flow. Ball valves may feature either solid or hollow balls. A solid ball maintains a consistent opening diameter, promoting smooth and constant fluid flow. Conversely, a hollow ball, with its internal cavity, allows for higher flow rates but can create turbulence and increased velocities. Hollow balls are typically lighter and more cost-effective than solid ones.

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Shaft
The shaft connects the ball to the control mechanism, enabling rotation of the ball. This rotation aligns the ball with the flow path to allow fluid passage or positions it perpendicular to block the flow. The shaft includes seals like O-rings and packing rings to prevent fluid leakage around the shaft. It must be robust enough to handle the system's pressure and temperature conditions. The shaft can be manually operated via a lever or handwheel, or it may be actuated electrically, pneumatically, or hydraulically.

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Bonnet
The bonnet extends from the valve housing and encases the shaft and its packing, especially in high-pressure and high-temperature applications. It may be welded or bolted to the body and is typically constructed from sturdy metal. The bonnet provides a cover for the shaft connection to the external control mechanism and can be either removable or integral to the valve body, depending on the design.

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Seat
Ball valves have two seats, usually made from soft materials such as PTFE (Teflon) or elastomers. These seats create a tight seal around the ball when the valve is closed, preventing leaks by forming a barrier between the ball and the valve body. The upstream seat seals against pressure, while the downstream seat prevents leakage to the atmosphere.

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Electric Actuator
Electric actuators, or motorized actuators, enable remote control of ball valves and are ideal for situations where manual operation isn't feasible. These actuators can be designed as either quarter-turn or multi-turn units. Quarter-turn actuators are suited for valves that can be fully opened or closed, while multi-turn actuators provide multiple rotations for more nuanced control.

How Does A Ball Valve Work?

A ball valve is a device that permits fluid to flow in one direction. These valves have two ports: one is majorly used for media input and the other one for media output. since they only permit material to flow in one direction, they are also called one-way valves.

A ball valve is a shut-off valve that uses a ball with a hollow section to regulate the flow of a liquid or gas. The medium can flow through or be blocked by rotating the ball a quarter-turn around its axis. They have a long service life and provide effective sealing even when the valve is not in use making them one of the most durable plumbing valves you can use.

A wrench or lever that the user manually twists is the simplest way to operate a ball valve. To open and close the valve, apply torque to the lever arm and move it 90 degrees clockwise or counterclockwise. When the lever arm is parallel to the pipe, that means the valve is open. When the lever arm is perpendicular to the pipe, however, the valve is closed.

The flow velocity of a system is used to control check valves. The disc will raise and enable the fluid to pass through once the system achieves the cracking pressure or the minimum upstream pressure required for the valve to work. The disc will automatically stop the valve to prevent fluid from passing through if the fluid pressure drops or the flow direction starts to reverse. Backflow is reduced as a result of this.

The application for which a ball valve is required is the most important limiting factor. For low-pressure, low-temperature applications, a PVC ball valve may suffice, but a stainless steel ball valve may be necessary to stop the flow of hot or high-pressure materials. Hand actuation isn’t required for all ball valves. Some, such as the electric ball valve, open and close when electrical current is passed through them.

Ball Valve Selection Guide

Ball valve types and features
There are many types, materials and sizes, and are meticulously crafted to suit specific applications based on their pressure ratings, temperature capabilities, and specific features. Delving into key components such as body material, stem size, seal type, and handle configuration is pivotal during the decision-making process.

Ball valve materials
When choosing a ball valve is crucial to access the material used and to consider its compatibility with the application’s environment. Materials commonly used include metals like bronze, and stainless steel, as well as plastics such as PVC, polypropylene, and CPVC.

Ball valve size
Ball valves come in a lot of sizes and shapes, it’s vital to ensure compatibility with the existing piping and equipment for optimal flow.

Ball valve pressure ratings
Prioritizing the assessment of a valve’s pressure ratings is essential when making a selection. These valves are engineered to endure diverse pressures and temperatures, catering to applications with varying operating pressures. It’s crucial to select a ball valve with a maximum pressure rating that surpasses the system’s requirements.

Flow requirements
When assessing a system’s flow needs, factors like fluid flow rate, pressure drop, and leakage must be carefully considered. Ball valves offer precise fluid flow control, ideal for applications demanding accuracy. Selecting a ball valve entails ensuring it aligns with the system’s flow requirements, alongside providing sufficient pressure and temperature resistance.

Specialized features
Many ball valves offer specialized features like regulation with V-Port, tank bottom design, cavity filler option, segmented ball, wafer design or locking devices, enhancing safety. To search for ball valves with specialized features is essential to pinpointing the optimal choice for your specific application.

4 Factors That Affect Ball Valve Lifespan

Actuation
The type of actuation—whether manual, pneumatic, electric or hydraulic—can significantly impact the maintenance requirements and longevity of a ball valve. For instance, a manually actuated valve might not need service as often as an electrically actuated one, given more complex components with the latter.

Design
Ball valves come in one-, two- and three-piece designs. The three-piece designs are serviceable, meaning components can be replaced, thereby extending lifespan. This design flexibility is particularly useful in industries such as oil and gas, where the valve's durability can be a major factor in maintaining operational efficiency.

Serviceability
The first components to typically fail in a ball valve are the seals. With a three-piece design, these seals can be replaced without having to remove the entire valve from the system, effectively extending its serviceable life.

Temperature and pressure rating
The operational settings can significantly impact a valve's lifespan. Valves used in high-pressure or high-temperature settings or those subjected to a high number of cycles will need service or replacement more frequently.

Our Certifications

CE, ISO9001, API 6D, ISO14000, ISO18000

Ultimate FAQ Guide to Ball Valve

Q: What are the common problems with ball valve?

A: Ball Valve Clog. One of the common ball valve issues is partial clogging, which can restrict the flow of fluids and affect the valve's performance.
Stuck Ball Valve.
Ball Valve Corrosion.
Leaking Ball Valve.
Overheating Ball Valve.
Actuator Issues.

Q: How do I know what size ball valve I need?

A: You can use your current fittings to select the right ball valve size. To do this, you'll need the following measurement: External measurement of the male thread on the fittings: Similarly, if the external diameter of the male thread is close to a particular size, you'll need a ball valve of the same size.

Q: What is the working principle of ball valve?

A: A ball valve is classed as a quarter-turn shut-off or isolation valve that controls the flow of a liquid or gas by way of a spherical ball with a hole bored through the centre and held into the valve body by two identical seat seals. Once fitted the valve is turned 90°, the valve opens or closes.

Q: What are the four types of ball valves?

A: There are four general types of ball valves: full port, standard port, reduced port, and v port. A full port ball valve has an oversized ball so that the hole in the ball is the same size as the pipeline resulting in lower friction loss.

Q: What is the life expectancy of a ball valve?

A: Using the latest and greatest ball valve in your plumbing can help save more water. It also helps you save money while helping the environment. A ball valve life expectancy is about eight to ten years. For such a simple mechanical device, the ball valve has enormous value to the gas and water industries.

Q: Is there a wrong way to install a ball valve?

A: Installation upside down is not recommended because it can cause dirt to accumulate by the stem packing.

Q: How do I choose the right ball valve?

A: Flow path and number of ports.
Sizing and flow efficiency.
End connection types.
Materials.
Technical specifications.

Q: What is the proper way to install a ball valve?

A: Cut the pipe to the required length and keep the ends free from defects. Unscrew the nut and slide the valve onto the pipe. Insert the pipe into the valve fitting as far as the pipe stops. Slide the nut back onto the fitting and tighten it by hand until the pipe cannot rotate.

Q: What are the basics of ball valves?

A: Valve stem: The valve stem is a rotary shaft connecting the internal ball to the outside lever which when turned rotates the ball.
O-ring: The o-ring is used to create a seal between the stem and housing of the valve.

Q: How do you position a ball valve?

A: The lever or handle of the ball valve usually faces the side when closed. Turn the lever towards the flow of the medium or towards the arrow, this is usually done in a counterclockwise turn.

Q: How do you control flow through a ball valve?

A: Simply put, a ball valve is an on-off valve. It can be used to control flow by its main characteristic, the ball, being open or closed. Ordinarily, this only requires a quarter-turn of the ball valve handle. The ball inside isn't a solid ball, it has a hole through the center.

Q: What is the difference between a Type 1 and Type 2 ball valve?

A: Location of Water Outlet: Part 1 valves have the water outlet underneath, while Part 2 valves have it on top with a plastic nozzle directing water downward. You'll usually find these in loft tanks or feed and expansion tanks.

Q: What is another name for a ball valve?

A: High-pressure ball valves are often used in hydraulic systems, so they are also known as hydraulic ball valves.

Q: Why do ball valves fail?

A: Ball valves are used in industrial processes to control the flow rate of materials. While they can last for many years, ball valves can sometimes fail due to a range of factors. These common causes of ball valve failure include corrosion, extreme temperatures, and improper installation.

Q: Do ball valves ever leak?

A: Ball valves can burst due to a variety of reasons. Leakage can occur when the valve isn't closed correctly due to debris or if the seal or valve is damaged. The leading causes of water ball valve leakage: The ball valve may leak internally if it is damaged or transported improperly.

Q: Can you over tighten ball valve?

A: Do not over tighten. The right way to tighten a Ball Valve is hand tight plus one to two turns-no more.

Q: Should the ball valve be the same size as pipe?

A: Measure the Inside Diameter (ID) of the pipe, this is the distance across the pipe's inner surface from one side to the other. Once you have identified the ID, choose a ball valve that is closest to that size. Ball valves are typically labeled in inches for the pipe they will fit, not the ball valves physical size.

Q: Which is best ball valve?

A: In most applications, brass ball valves will offer equal performance and longevity to stainless steel ball valves. However, in applications with very extreme pressure or temperature requirements, stainless steel or other even more durable materials may be better suited.

Q: Do you sweat a ball valve open or closed?

A: Soldering a ball valve can be done in an open or closed position. But, soldering ball valves in the closed position are better because they're safe, and there is less chance of damaging any internal parts like seats and seals.

Q: Do ball valves need to be exercised?

A: Many people choose metal seated ball valves for these applications because they are less prone to corrosion and need less frequent exercising compared to other valves. However, every valve should go through periodic cycle testing. Most people conduct valve exercise programs annually.

We're well-known as one of the leading ball valve manufacturers and suppliers in China. If you're going to buy high quality ball valve at competitive price, welcome to get more information from our factory.

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