Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Let full port ball valves transfer large amounts of fluid

These ball valves work efficiently and well. Stainless steel ball valves, carbon steel ball valves, titanium ball valves, as well as brass ball valves, bronze ball valves are common materials for full port ball valves. These ball valves are for longevity, and are possible to automate. They even can have an optional fire safe option. Applications for which the full-ported ball valve works well are irrigation, waste processing, desalinization, oil and gas production, and other applications where a high volume of liquid is key.

I recommend: The full port ball valve offers an "uninterrupted flow,” according to Flowserve. Visit their website for their own brand of full port valves. Matco-Norca is another manufacturer of full port ball valves. They offer Teflon seats on their full port ball valves for an added seal.

Use standard port ball valves for a little less flow

The hole in the standard port ball valve is smaller, restricting the flow a little.

I recommend: One manufacturer of the standard port ball valve is Watts, which offers a selection of standard port ball valves. Applications for the standard port ball valve include liquids as well as gasses. Valtorc has a standard port, stainless steel ball valve capable of 2000/1500 psi WOG and a "15% glass fiberfill PTFE reinforced seat."

Go with reduced flow ball valves for even more control

The smaller port in the ball allows more control over the flow of the liquid through the ball valve than a full port ball valve.

I recommend: Flow-Tek has a one-piece stainless steel reduced flow ball valve to reduce the possibility of leakage, steam seals, safety latch handles and threaded connections. It can also be fire safe. Plast-O-Matic Valves has reduced flow ball valves made of non-pigmented Kynar PVDF as well as Natural Polypro. These reduced flow ball valves work well in applications such as steam, because the reduced flow helps to reduce the pressure.

Get the most control with 'v' flow ball valves

The 'v' flow ball valves allow the user to control the flow of the fluid through the ball valve even more. Because of the 'v' notch, the 'v' flow ball valve is perhaps the most versatile ball valve, because it allows for the most control. The 'v' flow ball valve can be for slurry and regular flow. It is capable of more than just on and off, but variations in between.

I recommend: Flo-Tite has a "v" flow ball valve made of stainless steel. Triad Process also offers stainless steel "v" flow ball valves with a segmented ball option.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  The ball valve price may vary. Contact manufacturers when your company makes a ball valve purchase to ask about discount pricing.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Shop multiple retailers for the best ball valve price

Quality comes first, but there are a number of places to make your valve purchase. So, do some comparisons to find the best ball valve price before making your valve purchase.

I recommend: Start with Grainger; they have well over 200 ball valves, including steel and brass ball valves, and their ball valve prices are competitive. SMC also has a wide selection, including a nice selection of plastic ball valves.

Review ball valve technical information

Pay close attention to the type (i.e. two or three way), pressure and temperature ratings, and the composition (i.e. steel, brass or plastic) of various ball valves. Paying attention to this type of ball valve information will prevent composition mismatches, like a brass valve in a galvanized system, valve failures due to excess pressure on a low rated valve, and seat failures due to high temperatures.

I recommend: Know the specification of your application and check the ball valve information on the website from which you make your ball valve purchase. When you get your order, take a look at the manufacturer's information that comes with the ball valve. The stainless steel motorized valves from KZ Valve come in a variety of metals, but you'll also note that they have a variety of types and pressure ratings.

Maintain and repair your valve purchase

Ball valves hold up well, but it is still a good idea to give infrequently used valves a turn once in a while. This will prevent corrosion from locking them up. When a ball valve fails to turn or, though it is rare, leaks, then there are options for refurbishing the valve, rather than replacing it.

I recommend: Some valves come apart rather easily. Sometimes moving the parts and/or lubricating them is all that is necessary. Other times, you'll have to consider if replacing parts is cost efficient. Schutte & Koerting provides support for a number of valve problems. Also, Boig and Hill, Inc. provides online maintenance manuals along with their product listings.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  For large, high pressure situations, use trunnion ball valve, in which the ball is mechanically anchored at the top and the bottom of the valve.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Allow unobstructed flow with full port ball valves

Full port valves allow for the passage of large quantities of fluid. Because of large hole in the ball, the full port ball valve creates a minimal drop in pressure, thus creating less risk of 'pigging' or blocking of the lines. Full port ball valves can be made of various materials, such as bronze, brass, cast iron, stainless steel, carbon steel and titanium. The stainless steel ball valve is perhaps one of the most popular.

I recommend: Manufacturers of full flow ball valves are SVF Flow Controls and Conbraco Industries. Both manufacturers supply detailed ball valve technical information on their sites. Ball valve prices are available from the sales department.

Pick standard port ball valves for a little more control

The slightly smaller hole in the ball allows for a little restriction in the volume. The materials of the standard flow ball valves are similar to the full flow ball valves in that they are also made of bronze, stainless, and more. The standard flow ball valve can be either welded or flanged or both, and have a handle for 'on' or 'off' control. The standard flow ball valve can also be internally threaded.

I recommend: Specialty Manufacturing Company and KZCO are two manufacturers of the standard port ball valve.

Let restricted port ball valves restrict the volume even more

The restricted port ball valve has an even smaller hole in the ball--a full size smaller than the pipe itself--which restrict the flow even more. These ball valves offer more control, and include the same materials as the full bore and standard bore ball valves. The ball valves withstand the greater pressure created by the restricted flow.

I recommend: J Flow Controls is one of the manufacturers of these valves and Conval is another.

Get more control with 'v' flow ball valves

These ball valves offer the most control. It is possible to have the 'v' notch of the ports or holes in the ball at 30, 60 or 90 degrees. These ball valves, like other ball valves, can automate. The manual ball valve comes with a handle. The 'v' notch ball valve can be either flanged, or comprised of three pieces. Both perform well under the pressure generated, as well as can withstand nearly 600 degrees Fahrenheit.

I recommend: A-T Controls and Alloy Valves and Control offer these ball valves. These manufacturers, as well as the others listed above, are able to modify the ball valve to suit your company's needs.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  The ball valve price will vary from company to company. It is possible to find basic ball valves at any building supply store. To inquire after discounts or bulk prices, it's best to contact the sales department who will be able with the company valve purchase.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Quarter turn valve

Quarter turn valves require only a quarter turn to go from fully open to fully closed. Some quarter turn valves include the plug valve and the butterfly valve.

I recommend: See examples of quarter turn valves, including ball valves, at Flowserve Corporation.

Trunnion ball valve

Trunnion ball valves are typically used in large diameter and/or high pressure applications. They are mechanically anchored at the top and bottom to withstand these higher pressures.

I recommend: Plast-O-Matic Valves provides a diagram and explanation of how Trunnion ball valves work.

Reduced port ball valve

Reduced port ball valves have holes that are smaller than the source pipe diameter. As a result, the flow is reduced by passing through the ball valve.

I recommend: William E. Williams Valve Corporation shows several examples of reduced port ball valves.

Full port ball valve

Full port ball valves have holes that are the same diameter as the source pipe. Unlike the reduced port ball valve, full port ball valves don't impede flow when fully open. These valves can often be identified on sight because the oversize ball required results in a large bulge in the valve.

I recommend: See an example of a full port ball valve at Kings Supply Company.

V port ball valve

The V port valve is so named because it has either a V-shaped seat or a V-shaped valve. This shape allows finer flow control than is possible from standard ball valves.

I recommend: Learn more about V port valves and view examples at ThomasNet.

Three-way and multi-port ball valves

Three way ball valves have either 'L' or 'T' shaped ports through them. This allows different flow configurations for three-way junctions. Multi-port ball valves are designed for four-way (or more) applications.

I recommend: See examples and descriptions of three-way and multi-port ball valves at Inline Industries.