Ball valves

Ball valve is a valve with a spherical disc (or ball) that works to control the flow through it. The ball has a hole (known as a port) that when “in line” or “open” allows flow to occur. When the valve is closed the hole is perpendicular to the ends of the valve thus stopping flow.

Type

  • API Spec 6D – Pipeline valves
  • API Spec6D-SS – Subsea pipeline valves

Operation

  • Lever
  • Gear
  • Actuator

Ball valves are part of the quarter turn family meaning that the opening mechanism needs to be turned a quarter (or 90 degrees) to open or close the valve.  They are en excellent choice for shutoff applications; however typically do not offer fine control necessary for throttling applications.

Body Styles

  • Single Body
  • Two Piece Body
  • Three Piece Body
  • Split Body
  • Top Entry
  • Welded Body

The difference is based on how the pieces of the valve—especially the casing that contains the ball itself—are manufactured and assembled. The valve operation is the same in each case.

Bore Styles

  • Full Port –  more commonly known Full Bore Ball Valve
    • Has an over-sized ball so that the hole in the ball is the same size as the pipeline resulting in lower friction loss
    • Flow is unrestricted but the valve is larger and more expensive
    • Only used where free flow is required, for example in pipelines which require pigging (a method use to clean pipes
  • Reduced Port – more commonly known Reduced Bore Ball Valves
    • Flow through the valve is one pipe size smaller than the valve’s pipe size resulting in the flow area being smaller than the pipe
    • As the flow discharge remains constant and is equal to area of flow (A) times velocity (V), A1V1 = A2V2 the velocity increases with reduced area of flow
  • V Port  – ball valve has either a ‘v’ shaped ball or a ‘v’ shaped seat
    • Allows the orifice to be opened and closed in a more controlled manner with a closer to linear flow characteristic
    • When the valve is in the closed position, and opening is commenced, the small end of the ‘v’ is opened first, allowing stable flow control during this stage
    • Requires a generally more robust construction due to higher velocities of the fluids, which might damage a standard ball valve
  • Trunnion Ball Valve
    • Has an additional mechanical anchoring of the ball at the top and the bottom
    • Suitable for larger and higher pressure ball valve
  • Floating Ball Valve
    • Ball is floating (not fixed by a trunnion) inside the valve body, it drifts toward to the downstream side and tightly pushes against the seat under the medium pressure to ensure sealing reliability
    • Suitable for smaller and lower pressure ball valve
  • Cavity Filler Ball Valve
    • Many industries encounter problem with residues in the ball valve. Where the fluid is meant for human consumption, residues may also be a health hazard, and as the fluid changes from time to time, contamination of one fluid with another may occur
    • Residues arise because in the half open position of the ball valve a gap is created between the ball bore and the body in which fluid can be trapped
    • To avoid the fluid getting into this cavity, the cavity has to be plugged, which can be done by extending the seats in such a manner that it is always in contact with the ball.

 

Single , Two and three piece valves - Top entry , Wafer ,  Turnnion , DBB Feature

Valves available 2 Way and 3 Way , Special end connection is available too

Valves can be operated manually , Pneumatically or with Electrical actuators 

Valves are Full, Reduced and Standard port made of stainless steel, carbon steel, cast iron, brass, PVC

 

   

 
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