The control ball valve is a type of pipeline fittings designed to limit the movement of the working medium and regulate the throughput of the pipeline. This type of fitting is widely used in almost all areas of industrial and economic activity, including the transportation of oil and refined products (diesel fuel, kerosene, gasoline), the supply of hot and cold water, gaseous substances and various technological mixtures. It is used in heating and air conditioning networks, on liquid food packaging lines, etc.
Short description
Outwardly, a ball control valve practically does not differ from a shut-off device. It consists of the following main components:
strong and durable body of a collapsible or all-welded type;
spherical shut-off and control component with a hole ;
Stem to control the moving ball;
Sealing seats and rings for long service life without the need for major repairs.
Mechanical, electric or hydraulic drive
Adjustability is achieved thanks to a special disk on the inlet, which guarantees the safety of sealing materials in an intermediate position, even in the event of a water hammer.
Varieties by installation method
These types of pipeline fittings are mounted in the pipe line in various ways, depending on the characteristics of the inlet and outlet pipes. There are coupling, nipple, welded, flanged and wafer types of ball valves. The first three options are usually installed on pipelines with nominal bores up to 50 mm, while flanged ones are the preferred solution for large diameter lines.
Fundamental technical characteristics and advantages
The main purpose of this type products for equipping pipelines is the regulation of pressure during technological operations. In the closed state, they are distinguished by high class A tightness due to the use of sealing materials based on polymers of the best quality, for example, fluoroplastic.
By the size of the orifice in the shut-off and control ball, there are full bore and standard bore valves. In the first, the channel has the same cross section as that of the pipes of the system. With the fully open position of the control element, they have minimal resistance to the flow of material, which minimizes the risk of water hammer and ensures the stability of the production process. Partial bore structures are equipped with a hole in the locking mechanism of a smaller diameter.
The operating temperature of the valves can vary from -40 to +160 degrees or more, depending on the raw materials used. As a rule, the armature resource is at least 5000 opening and closing cycles. In the production process of such fittings, carbon, low-alloy and stainless steels are used, and their choice directly depends on the expected operating conditions.
Regulating ball valves have a number of advantages that have made them popular in the industry. They do not require regular maintenance, provide high tightness, have increased resistance to aggressive media and have a long service life.
