A ball valve is a commonly used type of valve. It controls the flow of media by the rotation of the ball. It has the advantages of simple structure, convenient operation, and good sealing performance. According to different classification criteria, ball valves can be divided into the following types:
1. By structural form:
1) Floating ball valve
Characteristics: The ball moves towards the outlet end valve seat under the pressure of the medium, forming a single-sided forced seal.
Application: Suitable for medium and low pressure conditions. It has a simple structure, a lower price, but its sealing performance depends on the medium pressure.
2) Fixed ball valve
Features: The sphere is fixed by the upper and lower shafts and does not move when under pressure. The valve seat adopts a floating or elastic design, ensuring stable sealing performance.
Application: Suitable for high-pressure and large-diameter conditions, with small torque and small valve seat deformation, long service life.
3. Elastic Ball Valve
Features: The ball body undergoes elastic deformation under the action of the elastic groove, and achieves sealing by pressing the valve seat with the wedge-shaped head.
Application: Suitable for high-temperature and high-pressure media, with small operating torque and low friction on the sealing surface.
4. Track Ball Valve
Features: The ball body rotates 90 degrees through the track mechanism, and the valve seat adopts a spring-loaded piston effect for sealing.
Application: Suitable for scenarios requiring on-site maintenance, with reliable sealing performance and flexible operation.
5. V-Type Ball Valve
Features: The ball body has a V-shaped notch, which has a shearing effect and can achieve precise flow regulation.
Application: Suitable for media containing fibers and tiny solid particles, such as in the paper, chemical, and metallurgical industries.
II. Classification by Driving Method
1. Manual Ball Valve
Features: Operated manually through a handle or worm gear transmission device.
Application: Suitable for small-diameter and low-pressure conditions, with simple operation and low cost.
2. Electric Ball Valve
Features: Driven by an electric motor, enabling remote control and automated operation.
Application: Suitable for scenarios requiring frequent switching or automated control, such as in the petroleum, chemical, and power industries.
3. Pneumatic Ball Valve
Features: Driven by compressed air, with fast response speed, suitable for high-precision control.
Application: Suitable for fluid control systems requiring rapid response, such as in food, medicine, and other industries.
4. Hydraulic Ball Valve
Features: Driven by hydraulic pressure, suitable for high-pressure and large-torque conditions.
Application: Suitable for special conditions, such as deep-sea and high-pressure pipelines.
III. Classification by Sealing Material
1. Soft Sealing Ball Valve
Features: Sealing material is rubber, polytetrafluoroethylene, etc., with good sealing performance, but limited in terms of temperature and pressure resistance.
Application: Suitable for low-temperature, low-pressure, and high-sealing requirement scenarios.
2. Hard Sealing Ball Valve
Features: Sealing material is metal (such as stainless steel, hard alloy), with high temperature and pressure resistance, and good wear resistance.
Application: Suitable for high-temperature, high-pressure, and high-wear resistance requirements scenarios.
IV. Classification by Channel Position
1. Straight-through Ball Valve
Features: The flow path of the ball body is aligned with the axis of the pipeline, with low fluid resistance.
Application: Suitable for scenarios requiring straight-line flow.
2. Three-way Ball Valve
Features: The flow path of the ball body is T-shaped or L-shaped, enabling diversion, confluence, or flow direction switching.
Application: Suitable for scenarios requiring the distribution or change of medium flow direction.
3. Multi-way Ball Valve
Features: Has multiple channels, allowing flexible control of the flow direction.
Application: Suitable for complex pipeline systems.
V. Classification by Connection Method
1. Flange-Connected Ball Valve
Features: Connected to the pipeline through flanges, with good sealing performance, suitable for high-pressure, large-diameter conditions.
Application: Widely used in the petroleum, chemical, and other industries.
2. Threaded-Connected Ball Valve
Features: Connected to the pipeline through threads, with convenient installation, suitable for small-diameter, low-pressure conditions.
Application: Commonly used in civilian and small industrial pipelines.
3. Welded-Connected Ball Valve
Features: Connected to the pipeline through welding, with good sealing performance, suitable for high-temperature, high-pressure, and high-sealing requirements scenarios.
Application: Suitable for oil and gas pipelines and other main pipelines.
4. Socket-Type Ball Valve
Features: Connected through socket, facilitating disassembly and maintenance, suitable for small pipeline systems.
Application: Commonly used in laboratories and small equipment.
VI. Classification by Special Functions
1. Thermal Insulation Jacketed Ball Valve
Features: An additional thermal insulation jacket is added to the valve body, suitable for media prone to crystallization.
Application: Such as in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries.
2. Low Temperature Ball Valve
Features: Adopting a long-neck structure design to prevent the valve stem packing seal from failing under low-temperature conditions.
Applications: Suitable for low-temperature media such as liquefied natural gas (LNG).
3. Sulfur-resistant Ball Valve
Features: Using sulfur-resistant materials, suitable for working conditions with corrosive media such as hydrogen sulfide.
Applications: Commonly used in the petroleum and natural gas extraction industries.
4. Ash Discharge Ball Valve
Features: Specifically designed for the discharge of dust and particle media, with a special structure and good wear resistance.
Applications: Suitable for dust removal systems in industries such as power and metallurgy.
VII. Classification by Materials
1. Metal Material Ball Valves
Types: Such as carbon steel, stainless steel, alloy steel, copper alloy, etc.
Applications: Suitable for high-temperature, high-pressure, and corrosion-resistant working conditions.
2. Non-metal Material Ball Valves
Types: Such as ceramics, plastics, glass, etc.
Applications: Suitable for corrosive, lightweight, and cost-effective scenarios.