A ball valve is a kind of shut-off valve that uses the rotatory ball to control the flow of any gas or fluids. To allow or block the flow through the valve, the ball is rotated a quarter turn or 90° around its axis. These valves, like ¾ ball valves, are highly favored by people because they last longer, and the sealing properties are reliable. Multiple choices are available in the market involving ball valves; hence, choosing the right one for your requirements can get complicated. The selection process is made even more complex due to the range of connection types, housing materials, circuit function, and many other parameters. This article will go through a few things to consider to make your selection process easier.
Circuit Function
The circuit function of ball valves, like ¾ ball valves, may vary depending upon the number of ports. Usually, it is available in 2-way, 3-way, 4-way, or 5-way circuit functions.
2-way ball valves are the most straightforward and standard form, like a ¾ BSP valve. They allow a direct flow from the input to output.
3-way ball valves: 3-way ball valves consist of three ports and are either found with L bore or T bore. These bores determine the internal design of the bore and set the direction of flow. A 3-ball valve consisting of either a T or L helps with mixing, distribution, or redirecting multiple applications’ flow direction. Such features make these valves appropriate for chemical, water, and oil heating or cooling applications.
4-way ball Valves: these are the type of valves that are not commonly found. It consists of four ports: L-port, T-port, X-port, and straight port.
5-way ball valves:
These 5-way ball valves are rarely found and are available with perpendicular double L-bore.
Operation Type
Operation type indicates whether the ball valves operate manually or automatically. Both types of operation have their advantages.
Manual Operation:
Manual ball valves are usually preferred when the budget is low. It is also the best to use when no electricity or compres air is need during installations or if there is no requirement for automation. A manual ball valve is not appropriate for a system that is frequently turned off/on or where automation is need.
Automatic:
Automatic ball valves are operate either electrically or pneumatically. It sometimes can be challenging to choose one option. This decision can be made easy by considering what is available at the construction site and the torque requirements. For example, the pneumatic ball valves are larger hence having a more significant torque. In contrast to pneumatic ball valves, electric ball valves are expensive to install initially but have a low cost of operation, just like a ¾ ball valve Toolstation.
Housing Material
Typically, there are three types of housing materials used for ball valves: PVC, stainless steel, or brass.
PVC:
This housing material is most suitable for allowing the flow of corrosive media like seawater, acids and bases, organic solvents, and salt solutions. However, PVC has no resistance to aromatic or chlorinated hydrocarbons. Compared to brass and stainless steel, PV has a low temperature and pressure range.
Stainless Steel:
Ctainless steel is an excellent housing material providing resistance against chemicals, high temperatures, and pressures. Tainless steel is not appropriate for chloride, hydrochloric acid, bleach, and bromine. However, swimming pools have a low chlorid concentration, so it is possible to be use there.
Brass:
This Housing material is suitable to use with non-corrosive and neutral media. Brass is not suitable for seawater, acids, and chlorides.
Connection Types and Sizes
There are many different types and sizes of ball valve connections, like a ¾ ball valve Screwfix which is essential for forming connections.
Standard/Threaded ball valve:
Thread connections are the maximum common form of connection kind utilize in an extensive range of temperature and stress applications.
Flanged ball valve:
These ball valves have a flanged connection to join the port to the piping device. These valves are regularly use on larger-size pipes. Choosing a flanged ball valve requires attention for strain ratings and flange compression magnificence, suggesting the best strain it can withstand.
Welded ball valve:
The ball valve is weld at once to the pipe in the weld connection. This form of connection is suitable for packages requiring zero leakage.
True union ball valve:
These valves have a solvent socket connection at every port. The valve’s middle part may be dismantl and taken off without problems while hooked up. This is suitable for quick restore and preservation within the flow device.
Temperature
Different operations have different temperature requirements. So you need to make sure that the material of your ball valves can withstand. The maximum or minimum temperature of that specific operation. Following are the different temperature ranges, For the different housing materials.
Brass ball valve:
-20°C to 60°C or -4°F to 140°F
PVC ball valve:
-10°C to 60°C or 14°F to 140°F
Stainless steel ball valve:
-40°C to 220°C or -40°F to 428°F.
Conclusion
The factors mention here are many other requirements that need to consider to make the selection process easier. However, paying attention to them will make your decision process more manageable.