Types of Ball Valves in India

Ball Valves:

A Ball Valve is a form of quarter-turn valve which uses a hollow, perforated, and pivoting Ball to control flow through it. It is open when the ball’s hole is in line with the flow and closed when it is pivoted 90-degrees by the valve handle. The handle lies flat in alignment with the flow when open, and is perpendicular to it when closed, making for easy visual confirmation of the valve’s status.

Ball valves are durable, performing well after many cycles, and reliable, closing securely even after long periods of disuse. These qualities make them an excellent choice for shutoff and control applications, where they are often preferred to gates and globe valves, but they lack their fine control in throttling applications.

Two-Piece Design Ball Valves:

Two-Piece Design Ball Valves are some of the most common ball valves used. As the name suggests, the two-piece ball valve consists of two pieces, one piece that has one end connection and the body. The second piece fits into the first, holds the trim in place, and includes the second end connection. Once installed these valves typically cannot be repaired unless they are removed from service.

Three-Piece Design Ball Valves :

A Ball Valve is a form of quarter-turn valve which uses a hollow, perforated, and pivoting Ball to control flow through it. It is open when the ball’s hole is in line with the flow and closed when it is pivoted 90-degrees by the valve handle. The handle lies flat in alignment with the flow when open, and is perpendicular to it when closed, making for easy visual confirmation of the valve’s status.

Characteristics of Ball Valves:

Ball Valves have a solid, cast body which reduces the risk for leakage. They are inexpensive and generally not repaired. These qualities make them an excellent choice for shutoff and control applications, where they are often preferred to gates and Globe Valves, but they lack their fine control in throttling applications.

Two-Piece Design Ball Valves are hard-wearing, performing well after many cycles, and reliable, closing securely even after long periods of disuse. These qualities make them an excellent choice for shutoff and control applications, where they are often preferred to gates and Globe Valves, but they lack their fine control in throttling applications.

Three Piece Design Ball Valves consist of three pieces: two end caps and a body. The end caps are typically threaded or welded to the pipe and the main body section may be easily removed for cleaning or repair without removing the end caps. This can be a very valuable option because it prevents a line shutdown if maintenance is required.

Uses of Ball Valves:

Ball valve’s ease of operation, repair, and adaptability lend it to extensive industrial use, withstanding pressures up to 1000 bar and temperatures up to 752 °F (400 °C), depending on the design and raw materials used. Sizes typically range from 0.2 to 48 inches (0.5 cm to 121 cm). Valve bodies are made of metal, plastic, or metal with a ceramic; floating balls are often chrome plated for durability. One disadvantage of a Ball valve is that they trap water in the center cavity while in the closed position.

In cold climates, the sides can crack due to the expansion of ice forming. Some means of insulation or heat tape in this situation will usually prevent damage. Another option for this situation is the “freeze tolerant Ball valve”. This style of Ball valve incorporates a freeze plug in the side so in the event of a freeze-up, the freeze plug ruptures (acts as a sacrificial disk), thus making for an easy repair. Now instead of replacing the whole valve, just screw in a new freeze plug.

Materials use in Ball Valves Manufacturing

Bronze (CAC401, CAC406)

Brass (C3771)

Gray cast iron (FC200,FC300)

Ductile iron castings (FCD-S)

Carbon steel castings for high temperature/pressure service (SCPH 2)

Stainless steel castings (SCS13A,SCS14A)

Reference by

Wikipedia- Ball valve

Two-Piece Design Ball Valves

Three Piece Design Ball Valves