For a long time, as shutoff valves in pipelines, valves and valves. During their operation, constant monitoring of the condition and maintenance was necessary. However, such control was not easy and costly: traditional pipeline valves were large and heavy. The problems that regularly arise with her insistently demanded to create an easy, convenient, reliable alternative. Such a device turned out to be a ball valve: flanged, with a threaded connection to a pipe, for welding, etc. technical features ball valves one of the famous manufacturing plants - Slovenian company Polix you can on our website.
What ball valve? This is a device that has a ball-shaped blocking element that blocks the flow in the pipeline or allows it to pass. Today, ball valves are used in the arrangement of main pipelines transporting natural gas, oil, as well as public utilities(this applies to both gas supply and heating, as well as water supply and sewerage systems).
What are the advantages of ball valves?
Unlike its predecessors, it has a lot of advantages. The main ones are low cost, lower hydraulic resistance, high tightness, small size. Another important advantage of Polix ball valves is a collapsible repairable body. The faucet is easy to install, reliable and durable in operation, easy to open and close thanks to innovative seals. It is compact, and you can control the position of the shutter in it visually. In addition, a ball valve (flanged, coupling or any other) can be quickly and easily repaired without dismantling thanks to a collapsible body.
Types of ball valves
Composed ball valve from a fixed body and a rotating shutter (ball). According to the type of connection, the device can be flanged, nipple, coupling, combined and welded. This reinforcement is also divided into full bore and standard bore. In shape, it is round, rectangular, trapezoidal and oval. In addition, ball valves differ in the type of working medium (gas valve, water valve, etc.) and body design (steel, brass). As for sealing constipation, then ball valves are divided into two categories: with a ball on supports and floating.
One of the most commonly used types of valves today is the flanged ball valve. It is used in the construction of ships, in the oil, food and many other industries. The working medium in pipes when using a flanged ball valve can be gas and oil products, various liquids.
Buy quality Ball Valves Slovenian manufacturer Polix is available in our company. Our technical service help with the selection and installation of fittings. Suggested ball valves are supplied directly from the manufacturer, its reliability and long service life are guaranteed.
Ball valve ─ pipeline valve, the locking or regulating element of which has a spherical shape. A type of ball valve is a segment ball valve with a locking or regulating element in the form of a ball segment.
The ball rotates around its own axis, located arbitrarily relative to the direction of movement of the flow of the working medium.
Ball valves began to be used at the beginning of the 20th century. They are the result of the logical development of traditional designs (cone and cylindrical valves), have become a promising and promising direction in the development of pipeline valves.
Advantages of ball valves:
The same as the other cranes, only more pronounced.
The design features of ball valves make it possible to even more manifest a number of advantages inherent in a valve as a type of pipeline fittings. First of all, these are the minimum hydraulic resistance (even less than that of cone and cylindrical valves), low torque, compactness and a very important quality for any pipeline fittings ─ high tightness.
Specified in technical description models from leading manufacturers tightness class A according to GOST 9544-2005. The fittings are pipeline shut-off. Valve tightness classes and norms” means that for valves with a nominal diameter from DN 3 to DN 200 at a nominal pressure of PN up to 420, and for valves with a nominal diameter from DN 250 to DN 2000 at a pressure of PN up to 200, during the entire holding time there are no visible leaks.
Another advantage of ball valves ─ compactness ─ allows saving space by reducing the dimensions, making it possible to install them in a limited space, for example, in a parallel pipeline system .
Ball Valves it is distinguished by insensitivity to pressure drops and, therefore, hydraulic shock safety.
In the case of full opening of a full bore ball valve, its flow area is comparable to the diameter of the pipeline, which means that there are no changes in the hydraulic parameters of the controlled working medium. In addition, in a full-bore ball valve, due to the peculiarities of its design, there is no stagnation of solid particles falling out of the liquids containing them, and, therefore, no sediment is formed.
Application of ball valves
The wide range of sizes inherent in ball valves, easy integration into any production lines, the availability of various ways of connecting to pipelines and the possibility of installing different actuators contribute to the expansion of their scope. Ball valves are used to control the most diverse in composition and properties of working media ─ liquid, gaseous, containing solid particles. Ball valves not only successfully cope with high-temperature working environments, but are also able to function in environment with high or low temperature (for example, in cryogenic technology for moving liquid nitrogen or oxygen), including in continuous operation.
Ball valves for water control the flow of both ordinary "tap" water circulating in water supply networks, and distilled, thermal (mineral), sea (salty). Water can be not only clean, but also contain solids, including abrasive particles, rust, lime, paints and varnishes, including solvents and other chemical contaminants; be superheated to 200 degrees Celsius or more and very cold, with a temperature of minus 30 o C, due to the content of ethylene glycol or propylene glycol.
Ball valves are used in pipeline systems that move the entire range of petroleum products: petrochemical raw materials, lubricants, light petroleum products, gasoline, diesel fuel, fuel oil and even such viscous compounds as building and road bitumen.
But the list of working media, the flows of which can be controlled using ball valves, is not limited to water and oil products. It also includes a variety of chemical products: alkalis, acids, solvents (for example, acetone), varnishes, paints, soda, isocyanates used for the manufacture of foam plastics, rubber, coatings and adhesives, hydrogen peroxide, methane, ethylene, and other substances.
Ball valves installed on water, oil, gas, product and other pipelines are used in many sectors of the national economy with different requirements for pipeline fittings and different conditions for its operation. In the chemical industry, where unusually aggressive media are often required. In the mining (especially in mineral processing industries) and metallurgical industries, which are characterized by particularly difficult operating conditions. At distribution stations, oil production and oil refining enterprises. In pharmaceutical and food industries requiring special purity, and sometimes sterility, for example, in the manufacture of alcoholic beverages. In the heat and power industry (, state district power station, hydroelectric power station, boiler houses, systems and water treatment) and the housing and communal services system (heating networks and networks and cold water supply and sewerage).
There are several ways to install a ball in a ball valve body.
The housing can be a composite structure of two (2-piece) or more parts (usually 3-piece) bolted together (much like a flange connection). The advantages of such a technical solution are obvious ─ ease of maintenance and repair. Thus, the three-piece design allows you to replace and tighten gaskets, carry out maintenance and repair work without dismantling the crane.
But when operating ball valves with a composite body, one should take into account the possibility of leakage and involuntary opening of connectors in case of violation of the maintenance schedule.
Designs are possible with connectors in the upper part of the housing or connectors located perpendicular or at an angle to the axis of the pipeline. Through them, a ball and sealing rings are inserted into the body. Finally, another option is a welded case that does not have connectors.
Depending on the method of fixing the locking (regulating) element, there are two possible modifications of the movable interface: ball valves with a floating plug (with a floating ball) and ball valves with a plug in the supports (with a ball with a fixed axis). In the first case, the sealing of the shut-off element occurs due to self-sealing ─ the floating ball, under the influence of the pressure of the working medium, is pressed against the seat and fixed by sealing seats, which perceive the load from the pressure drop. This guarantees a tight, leak-free fit between the ball and the seat, as well as “automatic” compensation for seat wear.
In the second case, the plug is fixed with trunnions in the lid and body of the crane, as a result of which the load falls on the support bearings. Design features cannot but affect the functional properties of ball valves of various designs. Ball valves with a floating plug are used at lower pressures and temperatures, and ball valves with a plug in the supports are installed on pipelines of large (more than 500 mm) diameter.
In the design of ball valves, various design solutions can be implemented aimed at increasing their functionality. For example, V-notch ball valves can provide a continuous flow with small pressure drops, which makes them suitable for controlling slurries and viscous liquids.
In order to reduce the increased forces acting on the seats in ball valves with a large nominal diameter and leading to premature wear of the sealing surfaces, automatic pressing of the sealing ring under the action of the working medium before the rotation of the ball can be provided. Another way to reduce mechanical stress on the seats is to lubricate them.
As well as for other types of fittings for ball valves, various types of connection to the pipeline can be used. The most widespread are flanged, welded and coupling.
What are ball valves made of?
Ball valve bodies are made of cast iron, carbon or stainless steel (forgings, rolled products and castings), and valves with a small nominal diameter are also made of non-ferrous metal alloys. The use of ball valves with a stainless steel body is relevant not only for controlling aggressive media, but also for media that require high standards of cleanliness, for example, in the food industry, as well as in operating under very low temperatures cryogenic technology.
The locking (regulating) element of a ball valve ─ a ball ─ is made of steel, brass, ceramics. For a ball, the quality of the surface finish is very important ─ the higher it is, the lower the friction and wear of the seats. Stainless steel balls are highly resistant to corrosion. The desire for ball valves that are even more resistant to wear and corrosion has led to the development of balls made of ceramic materials.
The list of materials from which ball valve seats are made includes rubber, fluoroplastic, nylon, polyester, bronze and other materials. Their choice depends on the operating conditions of the ball valve and the properties of the working environment. Valves used at high temperatures, in abrasive environments and in fire hazardous conditions, install solid metal seals. They are also used for large pressure drops and high speeds of the working medium. In addition, thermally expanded graphite and polyamide effectively resist elevated temperatures.
Wear resistance and the ability to provide high tightness are distinguished by seals made of fluoroplastic, including fluoroplastic with glass, graphite, and metal powder fillers.
Ball valve control
Ball valves can be controlled by means of a manual (handle, handwheel, through a gearbox) or a non-full-turn mechanized drive ─ pneumatic (single-sided or double-acting), electric (in a general industrial or explosion-proof version), hydraulic. Power operated valves are used in pipelines with high pressure and large diameter. Additionally, they can be equipped with a manual override. Pneumatic ball valves are equipped with an electro-pneumatic distributor and a block of limit switches.
When calculating the drive of ball valves, the following factors are taken into account: the speed and viscosity of the working medium, the coefficient of friction of the sealing materials, and the effect of temperature.
Considering that it is very important for ball valves that a turn of exactly 90 O is made per cycle, adjustable limit switches can be mounted on them to ensure the accuracy of the “open” and “closed” positions, and to prevent the risk of accidental intervention of the ball valve in the operation of the pipeline system ─ mechanical locks of the crane controls in the extreme positions.
The first field of application of ball valves that appeared before the start of the Second World War was the fuel systems of aviation equipment. But very quickly they became interested in other industries, and already in the 50s XX century began a large-scale expansion of ball valves in a variety of areas of technology. This process continues today.
Over the past decades, a huge step forward has been made in the development of ball valves: their production volumes have increased dramatically, new designs have been created, in which various innovations and original technical solutions have found their place. Ball valves with good reason can be considered one of the flagships of modern pipeline fittings.
Frame:
Ball: stainless steel A351-CF8M (AISI 316)
Ball seal: PTFE
Stem seal:
Governing body: lever
Working temperature: :-20С - +160С
Connection: internal thread ISO 7/1 UNI EN 10226/1 - Rp
Do: 6 mm - 100 mm.
Maximum working pressure: 25 - 140 bar depending on diameter (1)
Tightness: class A
STAINLESS BALL VALVE FOR OXYGEN ART.700016
| Product | |||||
| Item code | Doo | RU | kv | Weight, kg | Delivery time |
| 700016-1/8" | 6 | 140 | 5,0 | 0,26 | 6-8 weeks |
| 700016-1/4" | 8 | 140 | 5,5 | 0,26 | 6-8 weeks |
| 700016-3/8" | 10 | 140 | 8,5 | 0,24 | 6-8 weeks |
| 700016-1/2" | 15 | 140 | 19,2 | 0,33 | 6-8 weeks |
| 700016-3/4" | 20 | 105 | 35,0 | 0,6 | 6-8 weeks |
| 700016-1" | 25 | 105 | 64,5 | 1,01 | 6-8 weeks |
| 700016-1"1/4 | 32 | 64 | 103,8 | 1,31 | 6-8 weeks |
| 700016-1"1/2 | 40 | 64 | 174.0 | 2,15 | 6-8 weeks |
| 700016-2" | 50 | 64 | 301,3 | 3,25 | 6-8 weeks |
| 700016-2"1/2 | 65 | 25 | 545,7 | 6,81 | 6-8 weeks |
| 700016-3" | 80 | 25 | 872,5 | 10,2 | 6-8 weeks |
| 700016-4" | 100 | 25 | 1363,3 | 17,4 | 6-8 weeks |
Application area.
Ball valves of the INOX-VAL series article 700016 are designed to control the flow of liquids and gases that are chemically compatible with the materials of the body and seals of the ball valve (see chemical compatibility table). These products are designed to operate in open-closed mode. The control mode is allowed only with flows having a low speed, since otherwise there is a high probability of erosion of the ball valve seat or its deformation.
Possibility of automation.
This ball valve is supplied with a platform on which a quarter-turn , . In this case, it is not required to dismantle the ball valve from the pipeline, there is no need to use any special tool and the process itself takes a few minutes. For the possibility of automation, please contact our specialists.
Production
Stainless steel ball valves of the INOX-VAL series, article 700016, are manufactured at Valpres' own factory (part of the BONOMI GROUP holding) in northern Italy in the Brescia region. All machining of ball valve bodies is carried out on modern equipment. The production uses metal-working and calibration tools from the world's leading manufacturers, which makes it possible to process various steel grades with maximum accuracy and to control the quality of operations performed. Ball valve body castings are made in Europe on injection molds owned by Valpres. All steel intended for castings passes 100% input control, including for compliance chemical composition declared, so that consumers can be sure that they are purchasing products from materials that fully comply with those declared in the technical documentation. All ball valves undergo 100% final control, which includes tests for tightness, torque compliance with the declared one, body strength tests, etc. .d.
Quality
The high quality of ball valves manufactured by Valpres is confirmed by ISO 9001, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001 certificates, customs union certificates, many certificates different countries, special certificates and permits. It is also important to have certificates of the "System Reliability Level" SIL2 and SIL3 (the probability of equipment failure is up to 0.0001). An additional confirmation of the high quality of ball valves is a large reference list, which includes the world's leading enterprises and corporations from various industries. In addition, our company has at its disposal a lot of positive feedback on the operation of Valpres ball valves at Russian enterprises. For questions about obtaining a reference list and reviews, please contact the specialists of our company.
How to buy a ball valve
To order the products you are interested in, to clarify the cost, availability or delivery time, you must send a request in any convenient form, or contact by phone without necessarily specifying the exact encodings. It is enough to indicate the main characteristics. You can also use the questionnaire posted on our website. Delivery is usually carried out at our expense to any region of Russia. Coordinates for communication can be found in the section.
Warranty
The ball valve is guaranteed for 100,000 cycles or two years from the date of commissioning, but not more than 2.5 years from the date of shipment from our warehouse, whichever comes first. The warranty applies to ball valves operating in the open-closed mode with flows of liquids and gases that are chemically compatible with the materials of the body, ball and seals without abrasive inclusions. However, experience shows that Valpres ball valves in many cases operate in excess of 500,000 cycles.
OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES FOR BALL VALVES AND BUTTERFLY VALVES
MANUAL GEAR
It is intended for implementation of turn of shutoff valves of big diameter. The nomenclature includes both standard execution, and low-temperature or made of stainless steel. Installation is carried out by specialists of our company. It is also possible to equip existing production valves with a gearbox.
CHECK VALVES
In many cases, when installing shut-off valves on process pipelines, it is also necessary to mount check valves to prevent flow in the opposite direction. Our company can offer a wide range of check valves made of stainless steel, brass, bronze, steel and cast iron with flanged, wafer, coupling connections.
FILTERS
In the case of a ball valve or butterfly valve with dirty flow, the use of strainers has a significant impact on the service life of the product. Our company can offer mesh filters made of brass, cast iron, stainless steel with sleeve and flange connections.
POSITION SENSOR UNITS
Position sensor blocks are designed to transmit information about the position of the valve. Our company can equip any valve with encoder blocks from a wide range of products, including electromechanical, inductive, explosion-proof and spark-proof versions, sensors in plastic, aluminum and stainless steel housing.
STAINLESS FITTINGS AND FLANGES
To facilitate the installation of socket ball valves and the wiring of process pipelines, we can supply various models of stainless steel fittings and flanges made of AISI316 steel. The range includes spurs, nipples, American fittings, tees, cross fittings, butt weld fittings and others.
Where to buy in bulk diaphragms, throttle washers for fire hydrants
Throttle diaphragms for fire hydrants to buy in bulk in Chelyabinsk, production according to the size of hydrants.
Throttle washers, consumable diaphragms - wholesale
Throttle washers, expendable diaphragms of a variety, production, wholesale in Chelyabinsk, in the Russian Federation, in the CIS, in the Customs Union.
Anti-corrosion coating for bends, transitions in Chelyabinsk
To date, to protect bends, transitions, tees and pipes from the influence external environment and other negative factors, a wide variety of materials are used.
Buy throttle, limit washers, diaphragms in Chelyabinsk
The throttle washer is a disc made of steel with a thickness of 3 mm or more with a hole in the center. The diameter of the hole in the center is determined based on the calculation of their use in a given section of the pipeline. They serve to reduce, absorb excess pressure in heating systems.
Buy welded, seamless, sector bends in Chelyabinsk
In this article, we will talk about bends, methods of their production and anti-corrosion protection of bends.
Buy steam-water and water-water heaters in Chelyabinsk
Steam-water and water-water heaters are designed for heating and hot water supply systems operating in various temperature conditions.
Cranes. Part 2
The plug has a through hole, the position of which relative to the through holes in the body determines the degree of opening and flow of the medium through the valve. Plug positions that differ by 90° determine the complete opening or closing of the medium flow. Valves, like other rotary valve designs, require a minimum amount of work during installation, are easy to operate, have fast response and create relatively small distortion (deformation) of the flow.
Cranes. Part 1
The valves have a shutter in the form of a body of revolution, rotating around its axis, perpendicular to the axis of the medium flow. The stopper of a faucet is often referred to as a stopper. The faucet plug has a hole perpendicular to the axis of the body of rotation, which serves to pass the flow.
Pipeline details
Piping parts are designed for various connections. Often, pipeline parts are used in construction for various purposes, which are used for bends, turns, changes in pipe diameter, as well as bends and in cases of temporary (emergency) non-use of the pipeline.
Cranes. Part 2
Cork taps
The name cork faucet or simply a faucet is given to a type of valve consisting of a body with a conical or, much less commonly, a cylindrical seating hole in which a plug is installed.
The plug has a through hole, the position of which relative to the through holes in the body determines the degree of opening and flow of the medium through the valve. Plug positions that differ by 90° determine the complete opening or closing of the medium flow. Valves, like other rotary valve designs, require a minimum amount of work during installation, are easy to operate, have fast response and create relatively small distortion (deformation) of the flow.
The pressure drop across the valve is small and the valves are easily multi-way. Valves are used in all industries where low temperature closure is acceptable and cavities in valves are small.
There are many modifications and designs of cranes.
1. Non-lubricated valves where low friction between plug and body surfaces can be designed.
2. Lubricated valves in which a special sealing lubricant may be injected under periodic pressure maintenance between the sealing surfaces of the plug and the body.
They can be further classified by their plug and nozzle configuration:
1. Full bore cylindrical with the full area of the round hole both in the plug and in the body;
2. Rectangular - with rectangular holes in the body and plug;
3. Narrowed - when the area of the hole in the plug is less than the area of standard pipelines;
4. Diamond-shaped - when the hole in the cork is diamond-shaped;
5. Multi-way - with three or more nozzles, used mainly for the removal or movement of the medium;
6. Eccentric - combining half plugs for direct flow of the medium with high throughput and one-sided hermetic closure.
Taps are made from various materials: bronze, brass, carbon and stainless steel, as well as from "exotic" alloys and polymers. There are also full bore valves where all wetted surfaces are coated with PTFE or fusible graphite for highly corrosive and toxic media.
Grease-free taps
This is the simplest valve design and is widely used in the chemical and petrochemical industries where lubrication is not applicable. Retractable oil seal or spring loaded plug reduces wear and makes handling easier. Tapered or parallel plugs guarantee stick-free control with a secure seating force and require less maintenance. The self-lubricating properties of plastics such as PTFE make valves particularly attractive for applications where conventional valve lubricants are not acceptable.
There is a version of the valve without lubrication, where the plug has the form of two segments connected in several places and forming an elastic sealing structure that is pressed against the valve body. The plug is made integral with the valve stem and can be raised and lowered by turning 90° using a special control device. This design eliminates seal wear, is completely fire resistant and sealed in the inlet and outlet, thus providing "double" drainage in the closed position.
Lubricated taps
This design is widely used for the storage and transportation of petroleum products, in distribution and purification plants up to a pressure of 6.3 MPa and are manufactured with conical or cylindrical nozzles. Sealing grease is injected under pressure into the gap between the sealing surfaces of the body and the plug. It is forced through the non-return valve by a screw grease fitting and reaches the sealing surfaces through a system of tubes or grooves in the plug and body. Lubrication eliminates leaks between the plug and body and protects the sealing surfaces from corrosion and erosion. The sealing surfaces can also be coated with PTFE to provide the specified specifications.
Balanced Cone Valves
The medium pressure in conventional conical valves in the open position can spread into the cavity under the plug. Under these conditions, the resulting force will act on the plug towards the chamber, causing the valve to jam. Balanced cone valves are designed to use line pressure to balance the forces in the valve.
The balancing system contains two holes in the plug to connect the cavities above and below the plug with the pressure in the system. Through the connecting line, the pressure under the small end of the plug is balanced by the resulting force and prevents the plug from blocking, but regular lubrication must be applied to ensure that the plug rotates completely.
Eccentric valves
These valves are used in water supply and wastewater systems and are able to change the elasticity of the plug to ensure tight closure without the use of sealing grease. When the passage closes, the sealing surface of the plug moves without friction against the sealing surface of the housing. This eliminates sticking and wear, and faucets are used on uncleaned sewage, air, in water supply, on gas pipelines, fine-grained fractions and all other types of pulp.
Lined taps
Valves can be made from relatively inexpensive cast iron, while the internal surfaces of the body and plugs are completely coated with Teflon to increase corrosion resistance. This makes the valves suitable for all aggressive media at low cost.
The lining is held in the grooves of the body for its fixation and is usually 3 mm thick over the entire area for resistance to abrasive wear. If the lining is damaged, the body will corrode.
These valves are typically used in systems where pipes are lined, which is much more economical than high alloy and all-plastic piping systems, which are more difficult to maintain.
Advantages of plug valves: 90° swivel between “open” and “closed” positions, secure sealing surfaces, ease of installation in the system, minimal hydraulic resistance, simple and robust design, long service life. Plug valves are top entry fittings and the plug can be inserted into the body without removing the valve from the pipeline.
Plug valve control
Plug valves can be operated manually with a wrench, hand crank, through a gearbox or part-turn actuator driven by pneumatics, hydraulics or electricity.
Technical specifications:
Flow sections: DN 15...700 mm (1/2″... 28″);
Working pressure: 0.1...6.3 MPa
Operating temperature: -40...+240°С
Materials: Nodular cast iron, carbon steel and all high alloy stainless steels.
Accession: Flanged, threaded, butt welding, socket welding.
Application: Multi-purpose, including at nuclear power plants, fire hazardous, chlorine environments, for regulation, in vacuum, heating, taps.
Ball Valves
Nowadays, ball valves, which were inspired by traditional valves, equipped with new elastomers and polymeric materials for O-rings, have become completely tight. Other features of ball valves are minimal flow resistance, low torque, 90° rotation between closed and open positions, low operating costs, compact design and fireproof design to close the valve in the event of a plant fire. Valves include body, ball plug, stem and O-rings.
There are two basic versions of ball valves: floating plug valves, when the ball is supported by sealing rings, and valves with a plug in the supports. The latter are more suitable for high pressures and large diameters. Ball valves are also available with solid metal O-rings for use in abrasive, high temperature, throttling and fire hazard applications.
There are four ways to install the ball in the body in both basic versions:
1. The housing is made with one or two connectors and consists of two or three parts that act as flanges. The body parts are connected by bolts located around them. This design is called faucets with two-piece or three-piece bodies.
2. The ball and o-rings are inserted through the top slot. This design is called a "top entry faucet".
3. The ball and o-rings are inserted into the body through a connector located perpendicular or at an angle to the axis of the pipeline. This design is referred to as a "vertical or inclined opening faucet".
4. The faucet body is welded and has no connectors. Repair of these cranes may only be carried out in workshops equipped with special equipment.
Valves with two or three piece bodies have the advantage of being easy to maintain and repair. Top entry valves provide conditions for their maintenance without dismantling the body, and therefore their use is preferable from the point of view of safety and efficiency. The installation of taps eliminates the possibility of leakage through the housing connectors and their involuntary opening during maintenance.
Ball valves can be made from rolled products, forgings or castings in versions with one, two or three connectors with threaded or butt welded or socket connections.
Floating (seated supported) plug ball valves are used at low pressures and temperatures. In valves with a plug in the legs, the load from the differential pressure in the closed position is taken up by the leg bearings and not by the sealing seats. This allows them to be used at significantly higher pressures and temperatures.
Ball valves can be made full bore or tapered. In full bore valves, the diameter of the flow section corresponds to the internal diameter of the pipeline.
The materials commonly used in the manufacture of ball valves are carbon steel 20L or 25L or rolled products of similar grades for body parts and alloy steels 20 × 13 and 14 × 17H2 for plugs and stems. For use in corrosive or low-temperature environments, valve bodies and plugs are made of stainless alloys. O-rings and stem seals use pure or filled PTFE, both chemically resistant and low friction. However, fluoroplastic loses its properties at temperatures above 100°C, and at a temperature of 230°C its resistance drops to 0. This forced the use of working pressure versus temperature curves for soft valve seals.
Nylon, polyester ketones, flubon and other fluoroplastic modifications, graphite seals, usually thermally expanded graphite are used to increase resistance at high pressures and temperatures.
Fully lined ball valves, like plug valves, are manufactured for highly corrosive media. All wetted surfaces are protected by a fluorocarbon coating. The ball can also be fully lined or made of hard ceramic and provides less torque than lined plug valves. As with lined plug valves, if the coating is damaged, then the life of the unprotected metal body is significantly reduced.
Ball valves with soft sealing rings can only be used for regulation with small pressure drops. Otherwise, the high velocity of the medium will quickly destroy the O-rings. When it is necessary to use valves for regulation with large pressure drops and high speeds of working media, metal sealing rings and hard coatings of balls are used.
Ball valves for low temperatures
Ball valves are increasingly used for low temperatures, including cryogenic, liquefied natural and petroleum gas, liquid nitrogen, oxygen. This makes it easy to automate technological processes and expands the range of application of ball valves. Cranes for low temperatures (up to -50 ° C) are made of carbon steels, and for temperatures up to -196 ° C - stainless steel. PTFE seals at low temperatures become stiff, which causes a sharp increase in torque. The extended bonnet protects the stem o-rings from cryogenic temperatures and ice formation around the bonnet.
Ball valves for high temperatures
The maximum temperatures at which ball valves can operate are determined by the high temperature resistance of the sealing materials. Pure PTFE has a high coefficient of thermal expansion. Silicone or graphite impurities can be used to reduce this coefficient. Conventional materials can be used at temperatures below 240°C. For higher temperatures, other materials must be used, such as expanded graphite, polyimide, PEEK or PES, which can increase the temperature limit to 350°C.
Ball valves with metal seals are becoming increasingly popular in both abrasive media and high temperatures, up to 1000°C.
The use of ball valves is becoming as wide and varied as industrial processes are. It ranges from simple operating conditions such as use with water, solvents, acids and natural gas to more difficult and hazardous ones such as oxygen gas, hydrogen peroxide, methane and ethylene.
Use restrictions on temperature performance and seal material properties are decreasing as a result of research and the emergence of new materials, which makes possible expansion applications of ball valves in the future.
Ball valve control
Ball valves can be operated manually with a handle or handwheel, through a gearbox or part-turn actuator controlled by electricity, hydraulics or pneumatics.
Technical specifications
Dimensions: 15...1400 mm (1/2"...56").
Working pressure: From vacuum to 40 MPa.
Operating Temperature: Cryogenic to +260°C (soft seal); From cryogenic to +800°C (metal seal).
Materials: Most casting alloys
Connections: Flanged, threaded, welded
Applications: All general conditions, high flow rates, low pressure drops, fast response times, chemical resistance, clean media.
Special: For dusty or abrasive environments, low or high temperature performance, nuclear installations, marine environments, chlorine, oxygen, hydrogen peroxide, fluorine applications, tobacco industry, high vacuum, high cycling, space applications.
Dispute on the topic "How to say correctly: ball valve or ball valve?" will arise more than once, so let's clarify right away: in the singular it is correct to say a ball valve, and in plural- ball valves. However, at the time of this writing, auto-completion of Yandex and Google when typing "ball valve" is the first to give the "ball valve" option - since this option is more often used by technical specialists in "professional jargon" - we personally are closer to "ball valve".
For simplicity of presentation, we will consider these phrases to be identical (from a technical point of view) and leave this dispute to our beloved teachers of literature and the Russian language.
So, in this article we will try to consider in detail all types of ball valves and which ball (ball) valve is better to choose from the whole variety of ball valves.
 |
||
Here is a list of questions that will be considered:
1. What is a ball valve?
2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of ball valves?
3. What are ball valves according to body material?
4. What are the ball valves according to the type of connection?
5. What are the ball valves according to the type of passage?
6. What are the ball valves according to the body type?
7. What are the ball valves according to the type of seal?
8. What are the types of ball valves?
9. What are the ball valves according to the type of control?
10. What parameters are important when choosing a ball valve?
11. Where to buy a ball valve (ball)?
12. What is better to install a ball valve, butterfly valve, valve or gate valve?
1. What is a ball valve?
ball valve- this is a kind of pipeline fittings, the shut-off element of which has the shape of a ball, connected to the handle and designed to block the flow of the working medium in the pipeline. When the handle is turned, the ball rotates around its axis, which is located perpendicular to the flow of the working medium and thereby opens or closes the ball valve.2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of ball valves?
Advantages of ball valves:
- low weight;- small building length;
- low hydraulic resistance of the working medium;
- possibility of installation in any spatial position;
- good value for money;
- high class of tightness.
Disadvantages of ball valves:
- high torque to turn the handle;- occurrence hydraulic shocks in the pipeline with a quick opening of the valve;
- the need for regular (at least 1 time per week) opening and closing of the valve to prevent the "sticking" of the ball;
- poor applicability of the most common ball valves with fluoroplastic seals at temperatures over 150 degrees C.
3. What are ball valves according to body material?
3.1. Brass ball valve.
Brass ball valves- These are the most common faucets in plumbing.
The main advantages of brass taps:
- low price;
- short delivery times;
- good operational characteristics for water and gas;
- resistance to mechanical influences.
The main disadvantages of brass taps:
- a small number of diameters, mainly produced from DN 8 to DN 100 mm;
- lack of welded execution;
- unstable operation at temperatures over 200 degrees C;
- the impossibility of stable operation on oil products.
Steel ball valves- these are valves made of carbon steel (usually steel 20 or steel 25), which are widely used in industry and housing and communal services.
The main advantages of steel cranes:
- low price;
- a large selection of models from different manufacturers;
- short delivery times;
- good operational characteristics for hot water and gas;
- resistance to mechanical influences;
- wide model range.
The main disadvantages of steel cranes:
- unstable operation at temperatures below -40 degrees C;
- difficulties during long-term operation in cold water supply systems;
- the impossibility of operation in slightly aggressive environments.
3.3. Ball valve made of alloy steel (cold-resistant).
Cold-resistant ball valves- these are cranes made of alloyed steel (usually 09G2S) and designed for operation at low temperatures up to -60C, the rest of their properties are the same as steel cranes.
3.4. The crane spherical from stainless steel (corrosion-proof).
- these are cranes made of stainless steel (usually 12X18H10T and similar), which are widely used in industry.
The main advantages of stainless steel taps:
- wide range working environments;
- possibility of operation at temperatures up to -60C.
The main disadvantages of stainless faucets:
- high price;
- a narrow range, mainly produced from DN 8 to DN 300 mm;
- long delivery times for most cranes.
Cast iron ball valves- These are cranes made of gray (ductile) cast iron. Due to the mass production of steel ball valves, cast iron valves have become more expensive and most manufacturers refuse to manufacture them. As a result, since about 2010, Russia has left one manufacturer of cast-iron cranes and a large number of illiquid assets that were produced back in the 80s under the USSR. Due to the fact that cast iron cranes have no advantages over steel cranes, we recommend changing them to steel cranes without any doubt.
3.6. Plastic ball valve
Plastic ball valves- these are valves made mainly of polypropylene and intended for installation on plastic pipes.
The main advantages of polypropylene taps:
- durability comparable to brass;
- price;
- low weight.
The main disadvantages of polypropylene taps:
- the possibility of mounting only on plastic pipes.
4. What are the ball valves according to the type of connection?
- these are taps with a threaded connection, which are widely used in various fields of industry and housing and communal services. These valves are available from DN8 to DN100, body material: brass, steel and stainless. The main advantages of such cranes are: low weight, small building length, low cost. The disadvantages of coupling ball valves include a narrow range of diameters and difficulty in carrying out maintenance (the valve is clogged with scale, etc.) and repair work.
There are several types of thread type:
- ball valve vn-vn with internal thread on both sides;
- ball valve nar-nar(also called ball valve) with external thread on both sides;
- ball valve- this is a type of tap with an external thread, only fittings are screwed onto each thread;
- ball valve vn-nar with internal thread on one side and external thread on the other side;
- ball valve with "American" with female thread on one side and a union nut on the other side.
- these are valves that are connected directly to the return flanges. These valves are produced from DN15 to DN800, body material: cast iron, steel and stainless. The main advantage of such valves: ease of installation and maintenance, applicability for the entire range of pressures. The disadvantages of flanged ball valves include large weight and overall dimensions, as well as the possibility of weakening the tightening of the bolts over time and, as a result, loss of tightness.
- these are valves with ends for welding. These valves are produced from DN10 to DN800, body material: steel and stainless. The main advantages of such valves: complete and reliable tightness of the connection, small, in comparison with flanged ones, weight and construction length. The disadvantages of welded cranes include the impossibility of maintenance, the complexity of dismantling and replacement.
5. What are the ball valves according to the type of passage?
Full bore ball valve- this is a crane, in which the declared nominal diameter Du coincides with the size of the actual passage in the ball. For example, for a full bore crane DN100, both the diameter and the actual passage in the ball are 100mm.Ball valve- this is a valve, in which the declared diameter of the conditional passage is always greater than the actual hole in the ball. For example, a standard passage crane DN100 has a conditional passage diameter of 100mm, and a real passage in the ball is 80mm. The main advantage of standard bore valves is their lower price compared to full bore valves.
Many will ask - why did the standard passage model appear and is so popular? (more than 90% of all ball valves are standard bore). The answer is quite interesting. Due to the design of the valve, when a low hydraulic resistance of the working medium is achieved when passing through the ball, the capacity of a standard bore valve is sometimes even greater than that of valves and gate valves of the same diameter, and since ball valves have become widespread since 2000, they are without any problems replace similar fittings without loss of pressure and medium flow.
ATTENTION!!! If you are buying a ball valve and the invoice or delivery note does not state that it is a full port valve, keep in mind that you are buying a standard port valve.
6. What are the ball valves according to the body type?
- this is a non-separable valve made of carbon, alloy or stainless steel, which, due to the welded body, has more low price compared to collapsible cranes. Considering the crane's service life of about 20 years, the need for the mandatory use of a collapsible structure is quite rare.Dismountable ball valve is a crane that can be disassembled and serviced. The only significant nuance is that it is unlikely that it will be possible to carry out high-quality disassembly and maintenance without loss of tightness without specialized equipment.
7. What are the ball valves according to the type of seal?
Our experience shows that 99% of all ball valves are manufactured with fluoroplastic seals, except for high-temperature versions, where metal-to-metal seals are used.PTFE (fluoroplastic, teflon)– a temperature-resistant polymer that provides stable operation in hot and cold water, technical oils, hydrocarbon mixtures (petroleum products, natural gas), steam (up to 150C). Operating temperature range from -10С..+150С, maximum allowable temperature -40С..+200С.
Metal to metal is a seal in which the valve body and ball come into contact with each other without soft seals. The main advantage of metal seals is resistance to high temperatures. The main disadvantage can be considered the difficulty of ensuring tightness class A.
8. What are the types of ball valves?
- These are two-way ball valves that are designed to completely shut off the flow of the medium. These are the most popular and common faucets.
These are two-way ball valves in which the design of the ball allows the regulation of the flow of the working medium.
- These are two-way ball valves with an extended stem designed for installation in underground utilities with the ability to open or close the valve through a carpet installed on the street. 
are ball valves designed for fluid mixing (T-port) or flow distribution (L-port). Such valves are widely used for the installation of pressure gauges and pressure sensors, as well as in complex technological processes. 
- These are two-way ball valves with the ability to connect a temperature sensor. These ball valves are widely used in the installation of apartment heat meters.
9. What are the ball valves according to the type of control?
- These are the most common ball valves with a handle or "butterfly".
- These are cranes with a mechanical gearbox installed on them. The reducer must be installed on all valves with diameters over 300 mm, as well as on valves with a smaller diameter, where it is necessary to ensure smooth opening of the ball valve.
- these are cranes with electric drives installed on them and are used for remote control of technological processes, as well as for emergency shutdown of pipelines.
Ball valve with pneumatic drive- these valves with pneumatic actuators installed on them are used for remote control of technological processes, as well as for emergency closing of pipelines in hazardous areas in which the installation of an electric actuator is unacceptable.
10. What parameters are important when choosing a ball valve?
Many of our customers are faced with the need to install a ball valve at the facility, but they do not have a brand. In this case, you can select the valve you need.Consider what parameters are important when choosing a check valve.
- valve diameter, DN- usually it coincides with the diameter of the pipeline. Standard range of diameters in millimeters and inches: 6, 8, 10 (3/8"), 15 (½"), 20 (¾"), 25 (1"), 32 (1 ¼"), 40 (1 ½") ), 50 (2”), 65 (2 ½”), 80 (3”), 100 (4”), 125, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 600, 700, 800mm .
- conditional pressure of the valve, Ru- Standard range of pressures: 10, 16, 25, 40, 63, 100, 160 kgf/cm2. When choosing a conditional pressure, it is worth considering the fact that for stable and long-term operation of the valve, it is necessary that the working pressure be 2 times less than the nominal one. For example, you have a pressure of 12 kgf / cm2 in your pipe. It is necessary to install a crane at 25kgf / cm2. If you install a crane at 16 kgf / cm2, then within a few months the crane may fail.
- case material- features of the material of the body of various cranes are described in this article in paragraph 3.
- connection type- features of the material of the body of various cranes are described in this article in paragraph 4.
- valve design- design features of ball valves are described in this article in paragraph 8.
- seal in the gate- the features of the seals of various taps are described in this article in paragraph 7.
- equipment manufacturer- this is a very important parameter, because there are a lot of low-quality Chinese handicraft cranes on the market now, which seem to fit in all respects, but during operation they cause so much headache that the savings go sideways. The second extreme is that many European and American brands are trying to sell their equipment 3-5 times more expensive than a normal quality product. How to be an ordinary buyer? In this case, it is advisable to get advice from people you trust - plumbers, installers, reputable sellers.
11. Where to buy a ball valve?
After you have selected a ball valve according to the parameters, it remains just to buy it. The choice of the place where the purchase will be made is yours, we will give only a few recommendations that will help you avoid mistakes:- the ball valve must be new and have all the necessary documentation and warranties. By new faucet we mean a faucet manufactured after 2012, which is a maximum of 5 years old. Many sellers of illiquid assets will say - what will happen to him - a piece of iron as a piece of iron. There are two subtleties here. If the tap has soft seals, then in 5-7 years of simple lying, the polymers can lose some of their properties, which can adversely affect operation. And secondly, if the crane is more than 5 years old, it is unlikely that anyone will bear warranty obligations on it and there will be problems with the accompanying documentation.
- the valve must have a margin of conditional pressure- it is very important for long and stable operation. Our experience shows that an attempt to select a valve with a comparable working and conditional pressure ends in equipment failure.
- the crane must be purchased from a reliable seller- people who value their reputation will not sell taps of dubious quality.
- take into account the recommendations of people you trust- this is important if there is no certainty with the model. In this case, it is worth consulting with experienced installers, operators or sellers. There are many low-quality products on the market, which even a person with experience is quite difficult to distinguish from normal ones, and there are many branded products that are made in China and are sold 2-3 times more expensive than the market price with the assurance that this is super equipment and there is no better in the world.
And if you have taken into account all the subtleties, then the choice of where to buy a check valve is yours alone - the most important thing is not to forget about the price-quality ratio.
12. What is better to install a ball valve, a butterfly valve, a shut-off valve or a gate valve?
Our many years of experience with shut-off valves says that there are no universal valves and for different operating conditions it is necessary to install various types of valves. Consider the cases in which it makes sense to install ball valves:- domestic water and gas communications- here we recommend the installation of brass ball valves.
- industrial gas pipelines and oil pipelines
- heating and hot water systems- here we recommend the installation of steel flanged and welded valves.
And now consider the most common mistakes when choosing ball valves:
- do not install steel taps in cold water systems, since there is a lot of oxygen in the water and the faucet literally overgrows with rust and fails in just 3-6 months of operation. For long-term operation, we recommend installing gate valves with a rubberized wedge.
- it is impossible to install steel valves with a fluoroplastic seal on steam pipelines with a constant steam temperature above 150C, since literally in 1-2 months of operation the seal begins to fail and the valve loses its tightness. For stable operation of steam pipelines, we recommend installing valves with a metal-to-metal seal, which can operate without problems at high temperatures.
Dear readers!
If you have any practical comments on this article - please write to the topic of this article.
If you liked this article, please subscribe to our channel.
