Ball valves are essential components in various industries, crucial in controlling the flow of liquids and gases. That’s why a ball valve is an ideal option for pipeline creation.
It’s crucial to select the suitable valve for your various projects. Specific valves have certain benefits, making them more suited to some designs than others. By understanding the different kinds of valves, you can make informed decisions about the types you use.
Learn more about ball valves, their applications, and other valve types below.
What Is a Ball Valve?
A ball valve is a quarter-turn valve that utilizes a spherical closure element (the ball) to control fluid flow. The ball has a hole or port through its center that allows fluid to pass when aligned with the valve’s flow path.
Another common type of ball valve is the port ball valve. It has a specific design in which the ball inside the valve has a bore or opening more significant than the standard complete port ball valve. This larger bore size allows for even less flow restriction and pressure drop when the valve fully opens.
A floating ball valve is another ball valve type. This type of quarter-turn valve uses a freely floating or “floating” ball to control the flow of fluids or gases through a pipeline. It is a type of ball valve design commonly used in various industries for on/off flow control applications.
The ball is not fixed or tethered to the valve body in a floating ball valve. Instead, it moves slightly within the valve chamber, which allows it to press against the downstream seat when closed, creating a tight seal and preventing fluid or gas from flowing through.
How Does a Ball Valve Work?
The ball has a hole or port in the center that allows fluid to pass through when aligned with the flow path and rotates to block the flow when turned perpendicular to the flow path.
In the open position, the ball’s bore or hole aligns with the pipe’s flow path, allowing fluid to flow freely through the valve.
When the valve handle or actuator turns, the ball inside the valve rotates. As the ball spins, its bore can move to align with the flow path or block the flow by turning perpendicular to the flow path.
In the closed position, the ball’s bore rotates 90 degrees from the flow path, blocking the fluid’s passage and stopping the flow.
How to Install a Ball Valve
Begin by gathering all the necessary tools and materials for the installation. Turn off the water supply to the pipe where you’ll install the valve. If the pipe contains fluid, ensure it drains properly to prevent spills and mess.
Then follow these steps:
Measure and Cut
Measure the section of the pipe where you intend to install the ball valve. Use a pipe cutter or a hacksaw to make a clean and straight cut. A precise cut is essential for a proper fit.
Prepare Pipe Ends
After cutting, use a deburring tool or a file to smooth any rough edges or burrs from the cut pipe ends. This step ensures a secure and leak-free connection.
Apply Thread Sealant
Wrap Teflon tape or apply pipe dope (thread sealant) onto the male threads of the pipe fittings that will connect to the ball valve. This sealant helps prevent leaks by creating a tight seal when the fittings tighten.
Attach Fittings and Valve Ends
Using an adjustable wrench, screw the fittings onto the ends of the cut pipe. Attach one end of the ball valve to one fitting and the other end to the other fitting. Ensure the fittings are securely tightened, but avoid over-tightening to prevent threads from damaging.
Operational Test
Open and close the valve a few times to ensure everything works correctly. Verify that the valve handle or lever moves freely and effectively controls fluid flow through the pipe.
How to Lubricate a Ball Valve
Lubricating a ball valve is a straightforward process that helps ensure smooth operation and prevents sticking or seizing of the valve’s components. Here’s how you can lubricate a ball valve:
Prepare the Area
Turn off the water supply or isolate the section of the piping where the ball valve is. This prevents accidental operation while you’re working on the valve.
Inspect the Valve
Before lubricating, inspect the ball valve. Please ensure no visible obstructions, debris, or dirt might interfere with its operation.
Clean the Valve
Use a rag or cloth to remove dirt, dust, or debris from the valve’s exterior. This step helps ensure that no contaminants get trapped in the lubricant.
Apply Lubricant
Choose a silicone-based or water-based valve lubricant. Avoid using oil-based lubricants, which can attract dirt and debris over time.
Apply a small amount of lubricant onto the valve’s handle or lever. You can also apply a light coating to the stem and other moving parts.
Spread the lubricant evenly over the surfaces by gently turning the valve handle or lever back and forth. This helps distribute the lubricant and ensures it reaches all the necessary components.
When To Use a Ball Valve
Ball valves are versatile and commonly used in various applications to control fluid or gas flow. That’s why they are so vital to the engineering community. They are often used for:
Plumbing Systems
Ball valves are often used in plumbing systems to control water flow or other liquids. You may find them in residential, commercial, and industrial plumbing setups, such as controlling water supply lines, shut-off valves, and irrigation systems.
Heating and Cooling Systems and Process Industries
Ball valves are necessary for heating and cooling systems to regulate water flow or other heat-transfer fluids. You’ll find them in radiators, boilers, and HVAC systems.
Ball valves are also widely used in process industries, such as oil and gas, to control the flow of liquids and gases in pipelines.
Fire Protection and Propane Systems
Ball valves are necessary for fire protection systems to control water flow in sprinkler systems, hydrants, and standpipes. Ball valves also regulate the flow of natural gas and propane in residential, commercial, and industrial settings.
What Is a Full Port Ball Valve?
A full port ball valve is a type of ball valve with an internal bore or passage with a diameter equal to the pipe’s inner diameter. This design allows for minimal flow restriction and pressure drop.
When to Use a Full Port Ball Valve
A full port ball valve is vital when maximum flow capacity, minimal pressure drop, and unrestricted fluid or gas flow are essential. Here’s where you might choose to use a full port ball valve:
High Flow Applications
A complete port ball valve is an excellent choice when handling high flow rates of fluids or gases. Its design minimizes flow restriction, allowing efficient movement of large volumes of material.
Fire Protection Systems and Water Distribution
Full port ball valves in fire protection systems, such as sprinkler systems and hydrants, ensure water can flow freely and quickly during emergencies.
Full port ball valves are commonly used in water distribution systems to ensure efficient water supply to residential, commercial, or agricultural settings.
What Is a Gate Valve?
A gate valve is a type of valve that uses a sliding gate or wedge mechanism to control the flow of fluids or gases. The gate, a flat plate or a wedge-shaped element, moves perpendicular to the flow path to either fully open or close the valve.
How Does a Gate Valve Work?
A gate valve operates by using a gate or wedge mechanism to control the flow of fluids through a pipe. The gate is a flat plate or a wedge-shaped component that can be raised or lowered within the valve body to open or close the passage entirely.
When the gate is fully raised, it allows unobstructed flow; when fully lowered, it blocks the flow path completely. The operation of a gate valve involves turning the valve handle to raise or lower the gate, controlling the fluid flow.
What a Gate Valve Is Used For
Gate valves are used in various applications where on/off control of fluid flow is required. They are particularly suited for scenarios where a full flow or complete shut-off is necessary.
Gate valves are often used as isolation valves to stop or start the flow of fluids completely. They provide a tight seal when closed, preventing any leakage through the valve. Gate valves are used in pipelines for transporting liquids and gases, allowing for efficient flow control and complete closure when needed.
How To Disassemble a Gate Valve?
Disassembling a gate valve requires careful steps to avoid damaging the valve. First, shut off the water supply to the valve and ensure the area is safe to work in. Open a downstream faucet or valve to relieve any pressure within the valve.
Use a wrench to loosen and remove the handle from the valve stem. Still using the wrench, loosen and remove the bonnet or packing gland that covers the stem and packing material. You can access the gate mechanism with the bonnet or packing gland removed.
Carefully lift the gate or wedge mechanism from the valve body. If needed, use a gentle tapping motion to help release it.
Examine the gate, seats, stem, and other components for damage. Clean them using appropriate tools or materials. Remove the old packing from around the stem if replacing the packing material.
Place the gate back into the valve body, ensuring proper alignment. Reattach and secure the bonnet or packing gland. Place the handle back onto the valve stem and connect it with the appropriate fastening.
What Are Cast Steel Valves?
Cast steel valves are a type of industrial valve manufactured using the casting process and constructed primarily from steel. The casting process involves melting steel and pouring it into a mold to create the valve’s desired shape.
Once the steel solidifies and cools, the valve is removed from the mold, finished, and prepared for installation.
When To Use Case Steel Valves
Cast steel valves are extensively used in the oil and gas sector for upstream exploration, drilling, and transportation applications. They handle the flow of crude oil, natural gas, and refined products in pipelines, wellheads, and processing facilities.
What Are Forged Steel Valves?
Forged steel valves are industrial valves made from the forging process using solid pieces of steel. Unlike cast steel valves, made by pouring molten steel into molds, forged ones are created by shaping and compressing heated steel under high pressure using mechanical or hydraulic presses.
This results in valves with enhanced mechanical properties and increased strength, making them suitable for demanding applications involving high pressures and temperatures.
When to Use Forged Steel Valves
Forged steel valves are suitable for applications that demand high strength, durability, and performance under challenging conditions.
They are commonly used in systems that operate under high pressure, such as oil and gas transmission pipelines. They also have applications in systems that use elevated temperatures, such as thermal power plants.
What Is a Wellhead Valve?
Wellhead valves withstand high pressures and harsh environmental conditions. They have been used in production wells to control the flow of oil, gas, and water from the reservoir to the surface for processing and distribution.
In secondary or enhanced oil recovery techniques, wellhead valves inject fluids (such as water or gas) into the reservoir to enhance oil recovery.
Know When to Use a Ball Valve and Other Valve Types
Proper maintenance and replacement of ball valves are critical for the safe operation of fluid control systems. Whether replacing a ball or a gate valve, following these detailed steps will help ensure a smooth and successful application, no matter the project.
Always refer to industry best practices to ensure the highest level of safety and performance in your valve installation endeavors. Even professionals sometimes need help, so always get a second opinion if you’re unsure. Contact DHV Industries for further help and advice on valves.
