Floating Ball Valve
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What is a Floating Ball Valve?
The float valve consists of 3 main parts: A floating ball, A stem, An actuator lever.
A floating ball valve is a type of valve that uses a ball with a hole through the center to control the flow of fluids.
The ball "floats" within the valve body and is pushed against the seats by the pressure of the fluid to create a tight seal when the valve is closed.
What are the Main Parts of Floating Ball Valve?
1. Body:
The main part of the valve that contains all other parts and connects to the pipe. It can be made of a variety of materials, such as:
- Carbon steel
- Stainless steel
- Alloys.
2. Ball: A spherical closing element that controls flow by rotating. In a floating ball valve, the ball "floats" in the valve body and is pressed against the valve seat by the media pressure.
3. Seat: When the valve is closed, the ball is pressed against the sealing surface, forming a reliable seal. The valve seat is generally made of PTFE, metal or other elastic materials, and the specific choice depends on the application requirements.
4. Stem: The shaft that connects the ball to the actuator or manual handle. The valve stem transmits the movement of the actuator or operator to the ball, rotating the ball to open or close the valve.
5. Bonnet: The component that covers and seals the top of the valve body, houses the valve stem, and sometimes provides a channel for the actuator or manual handle. The bonnet is usually bolted to the valve body.
6. Seal/O-ring: Used around the valve stem and bonnet to prevent leakage between parts and maintain internal pressure.
7. Actuator (optional): The device that operates the valve. It can be manual (lever or handle) or automatic (electric, pneumatic or hydraulic actuator) to open and close the valve remotely or automatically.
8. End Connections: The part of the valve body that connects to the pipe. Common types include: flanged, threaded or welded connections.
How Does a Floating Ball Valve Work?
Open Position: When the valve is open, the ball rotates 90 degrees, allowing fluid to flow through the hole in the ball. The ball does not contact the seat during this operation.
Closed Position: When the valve is closed, the ball rotates 90 degrees, with the hole in the ball perpendicular to the flow path. The pressure of the flowing fluid pushes the ball against the seats on either side, creating a tight seal and blocking flow.
Pressure Seal: The design allows the ball to move slightly under pressure, helping to improve the seal as pressure increases, making it ideal for medium pressure system applications.
What is the Most Suitable Material for a Floating Ball Valve?
Floating ball valves are made of different materials depending on the application, and the material selection is based on fluid, temperature, pressure, and environmental factors. Common materials include:
Stainless steel:
It is well suited for general applications due to its corrosion resistance, strength, and versatility. Stainless steel is often used for valve bodies and balls.
Carbon steel:
It is used in applications that do not require high corrosion resistance but do require strength and cost-effectiveness, such as water and oil pipelines.
Brass or bronze:
It is often used in low-pressure and low-temperature systems, such as residential plumbing or heating systems.
Alloy materials (Inconel, Monel, etc.):
It is suitable for extreme temperatures or highly corrosive environments, such as chemical processing or cryogenic applications.
PTFE (Teflon):
It is often used for valve seats and seals due to its excellent chemical resistance and low friction, ensuring smooth operation and tight sealing.
What is the Difference Between Trunnion and Floating Ball Valve?
The primary difference between a trunnion ball valve and a floating ball valve lies in how the ball is supported and secured:
|
Feature |
Floating Ball Valve |
Trunnion Ball Valve |
|
Ball Support |
Ball is supported by seats; moves under pressure |
Ball is supported by a trunnion (pivot point) at both ends |
|
Pressure Handling |
Suitable for medium- to low-pressure applications |
Best for high-pressure and large-diameter applications |
|
Design |
Simpler, more compact, cost-effective |
More robust, stable, and durable under high pressure |
Applications for Floating and Trunnion Ball Valves
Floating Ball Valve Applications:
1. Low to medium-pressure systems.
2. Commonly used in smaller pipeline systems and low-pressure liquid and gas flow control.
3. Ideal for applications where compact size, cost-effectiveness, and simple design are essential.
4. Used in industries like:
- Water treatment
- HVAC systems
- Chemical processing for lower-pressure operations
Trunnion Ball Valve Applications:
1. High-pressure and large-diameter pipeline systems.
2. Used in industries requiring higher flow rates and precision control, such as:
- Oil and gas
- Petrochemical
- Power generation
3. Suitable for large-scale projects with consistent pressure and stability requirements, such as:
- Mainline pipeline transportation
- Offshore platforms
What are the Advantages of a Floating Ball Valve?
1. Simple and compact design
The unique design of the floating ball valve makes it easy to install, maintain and operate, making it an ideal choice for space-constrained applications.
2. Reliable sealing performance
The ball moves under pressure to form a tight seal, ensuring excellent shut-off effect and minimal leakage.
3. Cost-effective
With fewer components, floating ball valves are a cost-effective choice for many industries.
4. Wide range of applications
It has a wide range of applications and can be used in low-pressure to medium-pressure applications in water treatment, HVAC systems and chemical processing.
5. Easy operation and maintenance
With fewer parts, floating ball valves are easier to operate and maintain, resulting in less downtime.
6. Minimum wear
The floating design reduces friction, which reduces wear and extends valve life.
Can Floating Ball Valves be used for Throttling?
Floating ball valves are not suitable for throttling applications. They are mainly used for on/off flow control, providing a tight seal when fully open or closed.
Reasons:
Flow control restrictions: The ball in a floating ball valve has a full flow path, and partial opening can cause turbulence, which can lead to inconsistent flow regulation.
Seat damage: When used for throttling, the valve seat may experience uneven wear or damage due to the constant pressure applied in the partially open position.
What Valves are Suitable for Throttling Applications?
For throttling, globe valves or control valves are more suitable because they are designed for precise flow regulation and can maintain stable operation in the partially open state.