What are the advantages and disadvantages of ball valves

The ball valve has a spherical flap and can open and close the fluid flow. They are the industry standard for pipe cutting applications. After many years of use, their design can still ensure a very tight and tight seal. The two types of ball valves are floating and trunnion designs. The main body can be cast and split (divided into 2 or 3 pieces).

Ball valves are the key equipment used to cut off and regulate the flow of fluids (water, oil, gas, steam, etc.) in the pipeline industry.

Pros and cons of ball valves

This valve has the following advantages:

Quick turn on and off in just a quarter of a circle

Ensure a very tight seal without high torque

Compact design (this is the main difference between ball valves and gate valves-both are on/off devices)

weakness is:

The adjustment and throttling ability of the valve is very poor, it is designed to close the pipeline instead of flow regulation (this is the basic function of the shut-off valve)

Throttling can cause partially exposed valve seats to corrode through the valve due to high-speed flow and pressure. Long-term wear and tear can cause leakage of the valve.

The valve cannot be used for mud, and the accumulation of suspended particles and debris can cause the valve to leak. These particles will solidify in the cavity near the ball and valve seat. Ball valves are more efficient for gases and other liquid fluids (even challenging chemicals such as dry chlorine, hydrofluoric acid or hydrochloric acid and oxygen).

Difficult to clean (except top entrance design)

The open, closed or partially open position of the valve can be detected by viewing the position of the joystick:

When the lever is aligned with the pipeline, the valve opens. When perpendicular to the pipeline, the valve closes.

When the valve is in any other position, the valve is partially opened (or partially closed) and the flow rate is adjusted.

These valves belong to the family of "quarter-turn" valves or "1/4-turn valves" (as well as butterfly valves and plug valves) because the opening and closing operations are performed by rotating the lever connected to the flap 90 degrees.