Making the Most of Ball Valves

Choose the right ball valve for your company's needs
By Marjorie Gilbert While the popularity of ball valves took a while to grow, their usefulness is undisputed today. Ball valves can be on pipelines, in the bottom of tanks and in clean rooms. However, not all ball valves serve the same purpose, just as a hammer would not work as well as a sledgehammer when knocking down a wall.

When looking for ball valve information, it’s important to consider the applications for which each type of ball valve will work best. Consider these options when making the most of ball valves:

1. Pick full port ball valves for the most volume in the least amount of time.

2. Choose standard port ball valves for a little more control.

3. Pick reduced port ball valves for even more control.

4. Rely on "v" port ball valves for the most control.

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.
Try:  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.
Try:  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.
Try:  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.
Try:  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.

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