For sales & advice Call Us 01926 642071
For sales & advice Call Us 01926 642071

Steel Ball Valve Types

Posted: 23rd September 2019

Quality Ball Valves from Christy Hydraulics

When you’re looking for ball valves, look no further than Christy Hydraulics. As one of the UK’s biggest suppliers, we stock valves from many of the world’s leading manufacturers, and you can find them all on our easy to use website. Whether you’re looking for the latest air-pro ball valves or valves from brands such as Parker Legris and RUB we pride ourselves in having a comprehensive range at some of the best prices online.

Next Day Delivery

At Christy Hydraulics we understand how important it is to get the parts you need, when you need them. Which is why if you order your ball valves before 10pm they will be sent out for next day delivery (UK mainland delivery). If you are an international customer and want to take advantage of our great prices, we offer a next day Europe delivery service on all orders placed before 12pm.

If you want to know what ball valves are, how they work and what they do, we’ll cover them in more detail during this blog.

What is a Ball Valve

So, what is a Ball Valve? A ball valve provides an on/off control for the flow for liquids or gas, essentially working as a shut-off valve. In the centre of the valve is a bore that, when turned and aligned with the pipeline, changes the valve to an open position and allows gas or fluid to flow through it.

Types of Valve

Here is an overview of the different types of ball valves.

  • Trunnion Mounted Ball Valve: If you have a larger or higher pressure valve, the trunnion mounted ball valve is best suited for this. Because the ball is supported in two places, it helps to reduce the torque in the valve. In addition, because the mounted stem absorbs the thrust, it helps to prevent friction from building up.
  • Rising Stem Ball Valve: One of the reasons for valves failing is when the seal rubs; the great thing with the rising stem ball valve is the fact it incorporates a tilt-and-turn which helps to eliminate this.
  • Floating Ball Valve: Unlike other valves, the floating ball valve is not held in place by a trunnion. By not having it held in place it actually allows the ball float up and down. When this happens, it allows the ball to rest against the seat, which creates a seal.

Pros and Cons:

If you’re unsure if a ball valve is what you need, here are some pros and cons.

Pros

  • Out of the different types of valves they are the most cost-effective
  • They have a quick open/close function
  • The design is compact and is low-maintenance which means it requires no lubrication.

Cons

  • If you’re looking for a valve that requires permanent throttling, a ball valve is not suitable
  • When you use residual fluids the particles within the fluid collide with the surfaces in the valve, causing them to stick to it. This build up of particles can cause leakage and abrasion, amongst other things.

Typical Applications:

So, what are the main uses? As we mentioned, a ball valve is used to control the flow of gas and liquids. Ball valves are more commonly used within the natural gas and oil industries. However, you can also find them being used in the manufacturing sector, particularly the chemical sector.

Design

Ball valves are designed to fit into a pipeline and be compact in size, whilst not compromising on durability of the valve over it’s lifetime. If you find yourself working in cramped spaces where clearance is a problem, the flat handle can be replaced with a T-Handle. They can also be made for left or right hand.

Maintenance

The great thing with ball valves is the fact they are maintenance-free. But how is this possible? Because the valve is made up of the self-drying properties of Teflon, it eliminates the need for lubrication. In addition to this the valve is free from contaminants and the potential for leaks are minimised. The valve and seals are made to such close tolerances that it’s not necessary to carry out maintenance during the life of it.

For more information on how a ball valve works, have a look at this great animation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txDANNh4_ME

Call Our Team Today

If you’re unsure what type of valve you need, give our friendly team a call today on 01926 642071. If you have a bigger project and would like on-site work, our team of skilled engineers have a wealth of knowledge and will be happy to discuss your requirements. We can also arrange a FREE, no obligation quote.