What is a ball valve? How do ball valves work?

A ball valve is a type of quarter-turn valve that uses a hollow, perforated, and pivoting ball (often known as a floating or trunnion ball) to control the flow of a fluid through it. The valve is opened when the ball's hole is in line with the flow, and it is closed when it is pivoted 90 degrees by the valve handle. The handle is positioned in such a way that it is easy to visually confirm the valve's position.

Key features of ball valves include:

Versatility

Ball valves are versatile and can be used for a wide range of applications, including both on/off and throttling control of fluid flow.

Quick Operation

They operate with a quarter-turn (90 degrees) of the valve handle, making them quick and easy to open or close.

Durability

Ball valves are generally durable and reliable, requiring minimal maintenance. The ball and the valve seats are often made of materials that resist corrosion and wear.

Sealing Mechanism

The sealing is achieved by the compression of a resilient material, such as PTFE (Teflon), against the ball. This design provides a tight seal when closed and reduces the likelihood of leakage.

Bidirectional Flow

Ball valves are often designed to allow bidirectional flow, meaning they can handle flow in both directions.

Various Configurations

Ball valves come in various configurations, including two-way, three-way, and multi-port designs, allowing for different flow patterns.

Different Materials

They can be constructed from various materials, including metals (such as stainless steel or brass) for industrial applications and plastics for more corrosive or chemical environments.

Ball valves are commonly used in a wide range of industries, including oil and gas, water and wastewater, chemical, pharmaceutical, and general manufacturing. Their simple design, ease of operation, and reliability make them popular for controlling the flow of fluids in many applications.

A ball valve operates by using a hollow, perforated ball (usually made of metal or another durable material) to control the flow of fluid through the valve. Here is a step-by-step explanation of how a ball valve works:

How do ball valves work?

The main components of a ball valve include the hollow ball, a valve body with inlet and outlet ports, a stem, and an actuator (typically a handle).

Valve Closed

In the closed position, the ball is positioned at a right angle (90 degrees) to the flow, blocking the passage for the fluid. The valve handle is aligned perpendicular to the pipe, indicating that the valve is closed.

Valve Open

To open the valve, the handle is turned a quarter-turn (90 degrees) to rotate the ball parallel to the flow direction.

In the open position, the fluid can flow through the bore of the ball, allowing uninterrupted passage.

Flow Control

The degree to which the valve is open can be controlled precisely by adjusting the position of the handle.

Partial rotation of the handle results in partial opening of the valve, controlling the flow rate.

Sealing Mechanism

When the valve is in the closed position, the sealing mechanism comes into play. Typically, a resilient material, such as PTFE (Teflon), is used for the valve seats.

When the ball is rotated into the closed position, the material is compressed against the ball, creating a tight seal and preventing fluid leakage.

One of the key advantages of ball valves is their quick operation. The quarter-turn action of the handle allows for rapid opening or closing of the valve. Ball valves are commonly used in various industries due to their simplicity, reliability, and ease of operation. 

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