Quick OVERVIEW of the knowledge about Ball Valves (Part One)

The unique characteristics of the ball valve determine the use of it is relatively wide, usually in the two-position adjustment. With their good sealing performance, quick opening and closing action  (1/4 turn open and close), Ball valves are recommended for piping systems with high pressure cutoff (large differential pressure), low noise, low operating torque and low fluid resistance.

Ball valves are also suitable for use in piping systems that have lightweight structures, low pressure cut-off (small differential pressure), corrosive media. Ball valves are also available in low temperature condition and piping systems. In the oxygen piping system of the metallurgical industry, ball valves that have been strictly degreased are used. When the main line in the oil pipeline and the gas pipeline is to be buried underground, a full-bore welded ball valve is required. When a regulating performance is required, a ball valve with a V-shaped special opening structure is required. In petroleum, petrochemical, chemical, electric power, urban construction, metal-to-metal sealed ball valves are available for piping systems with operating temperatures above 200 degrees.

Applications of ball valve
1. Ball valves with the full bore and full welded structure are used for the main line for the transportation of oil and natural gas and so on.
2. For pipeline buried on the ground, choose ball valves that are full welded or flanged. For branch pipes, choose ball valves with flange connections, welded connections, full bore or reduced bore.
3. For refined oil pipeline and storage equipment, use ball valves with flange connection.
4. For city gas and natural gas pipeline, choose floating ball valves with flange connection and internal thread connection.
5. In the oxygen pipeline system or metallurgical system, a fixed ball valve that has undergone strict degreasing treatment and has flange connection should be used.
6. For the piping system and equipment of the low temperature medium, a low temperature ball valve should be used.
7. On the piping system of the catalytic cracking unit of the refinery, a lifting rod type ball valve can be selected.
8. For chemical system devices and piping systems with acid and alkali corrosive medium, it is advisable to use all-stainless steel ball valves made of austenitic stainless steel and Teflon as the seat seal.
9. Metal-to-metal ball valves can be used on piping systems or devices for high temperature media in metallurgical systems, power systems, petrochemical plants, and urban heating systems.
10. For flow adjustment, a worm-gear, pneumatic or electric ball valve is available.

The use of ball valves is very extensive, whose variety and quantity continue to expand. And as the developing of ball valves with high pressure, high temperature, high sealing performance, long service life, excellent regulation performance and multi-valve function, the reliability and other performance indicators of this kind of valves have reached a high level and ball valves can be used for partially replacing gate valves, globe valves, and regulating valves.

With the technological advancement of ball valves, there will be a wider range of applications in the foreseeable short-term, especially in oil and gas pipelines, on refinery crackers and in the nuclear industry. In addition, in the large-and-medium-sized, medium-and-low-pressure areas of other industries, ball valves will also become one of the leading valve types.