In the industrial field, ball valves play a vital role and are widely used in many industries, such as petroleum, chemical, and electric power. It is like the &#;switchguard&#; of the industrial pipeline system, accurately controlling the flow of fluids.
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(1) Consider fluid properties
The properties of the fluid are the primary factor in selecting a ball valve. Different media have different corrosiveness, viscosity and other characteristics. For example, for corrosive media, it is necessary to select a ball valve material with good corrosion resistance, such as stainless steel or special alloys; for high-viscosity media, it is necessary to consider the sealing form and flow characteristics of the ball valve to ensure that the fluid can pass smoothly without leakage.
(2) Pay attention to the working pressure and temperature range
The ball valve must be able to withstand the working pressure and temperature in the pipeline system. Suppose the rated pressure of the ball valve is lower than the actual working pressure or the working temperature exceeds the tolerance range of the ball valve. In that case, it may cause damage to the ball valve and even cause serious safety accidents. Therefore, when selecting a ball valve, be sure to carefully check the working pressure and temperature range of the pipeline system to ensure that the selected ball valve can adapt to it.
(3) Pay attention to material compatibility
According to the characteristics of the fluid and the working environment, it is crucial to choose the right ball valve material. Stainless steel has good corrosion resistance and strength and is suitable for a variety of harsh environments; copper has good thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity and is also used on some specific occasions. In addition, the compatibility between the material and the fluid must be considered to avoid chemical reactions that affect the service life and performance of the ball valve.
(4) Determine the caliber and flow rate
The caliber and flow rate of the ball valve are directly related to the operating efficiency of the pipeline system. Select the appropriate ball valve size according to the flow demand and caliber size of the pipeline. If the caliber of the ball valve is too small, it will limit the flow rate of the fluid and increase the pressure loss of the system; if the caliber is too large, it will increase the cost and may affect the control accuracy of the system.
(5) Choose the connection method
The connection methods of the ball valve include flange, thread and welding. When choosing the connection method, the actual situation of the pipeline needs to be considered. Flange connection is suitable for pipelines with larger diameters and is easy to install and disassemble; threaded connection is suitable for pipelines with smaller diameters and is tightly connected; welding connection has higher sealing and strength, but installation and disassembly are relatively difficult.
(6) Consider the operation mode and control accuracy
Depending on the application requirements, the ball valve can be operated manually, pneumatically or electrically. The manual operation mode is simple and reliable and is suitable for some small pipeline systems; the pneumatic and electric operation modes can realize remote control and automatic operation and are suitable for large industrial pipeline systems. In addition, the control accuracy of the ball valve needs to be considered to meet different process requirements.
(7) Pay attention to the sealing performance
The sealing performance is one of the key indicators of the ball valve. Good sealing performance can ensure that the ball valve will not leak during use. The sealing structure, material and performance will affect the sealing effect. For example, the use of high-quality sealing materials, such as polytetrafluoroethylene, can improve the sealing performance and extend the service life of the ball valve.
(1) Appearance quality
The surface of the product should be smooth and free of defects. For natural color products, pay attention to checking whether there are problems such as sand holes and air holes. The appearance quality not only affects the beauty of the ball valve but may also reflect the manufacturing process and quality level of the product.
(2) Opening feel
The switch should be smooth and free of jamming. A good opening feel indicates that the internal seal is properly installed and not easy to wear, which can ensure the long-term stable operation of the ball valve.
(3) Product weight
Avoid choosing products with too thin wall thickness, but also pay attention to the fact that some manufacturers may over-reduce the weight. The right product weight usually means that the product has sufficient strength and stability.
(4) Product material
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Ball valves made of brass are suitable for home use, have a long service life and are not easy to damage. In industrial applications, it is necessary to choose the right material according to the specific situation.
(5) Accessory material
The quality of the accessory material cannot be ignored because it is related to the overall service life of the product. High-quality accessory materials can improve the reliability and stability of the ball valve.
(6) Valve stem material
Copper rods are more corrosion-resistant than iron rods and are not easy to react with water and air. Therefore, in some occasions with high corrosion resistance requirements, copper rod ball valves should be selected.
(7) Ball material
Stainless steel balls have the best quality. In areas such as gas, iron balls should be avoided because they are easy to corrode and pose safety hazards.
(8) Ball valve wall thickness
The real wall thickness is the thickness of the valve body where the ball is located, not the thread wall thickness. Thicker valve body wall thickness can improve the strength and pressure resistance of the ball valve.
(9) Packing quality
The price difference between good packing and poor packing is large. Poor packing has poor sealing and needs to be environmentally friendly. High-quality packing can effectively prevent leakage and protect the environment at the same time.
Choose the appropriate type of ball valve according to different scenarios, such as oil, natural gas, city gas, etc. The ball valve has the advantages of compact structure and convenient operation and maintenance. Its compact structure can save installation space and facilitate installation and use in different pipeline systems, while convenient operation and maintenance can reduce maintenance costs and improve production efficiency.
In short, choosing a suitable ball valve requires comprehensive consideration of multiple factors. Although there are many factors to consider in the selection process, the right choice can ensure the performance and safety of the pipeline system. In the future, ball valves will continue to play an important role in the industrial field and provide strong guarantees for the stable operation of industrial production.
Although a basic consideration, be sure that all the valve &#;wetted&#; components are compatible with your specific media. Ball valves generally use elastomers such as Viton®, Buna-N and/or P.T.F.E. (Glass Filled Reinforced Teflon®) or a combination. P.T.F.E. is popular in that it&#;s generally considered chemically inert. In other words, your media and the seal material co-exist &#; one not degrading or interacting with the other.
When evaluating valve pressure rating, it&#;s important to check the valve pressure rating relative to the temperature rating. This is commonly referred to as the valve pressure/temperature rating. See example below:
As the valve pressure rating rises, the valve temperature rating becomes lower. Be sure you compare your media pressure and temperature together to ensure both will meet your application needs.
Lastly, especially when specifying an automated ball valve, is to ensure that your pressure differential is within the product ratings. The pressure differential (PSI) is the upstream pressure less the downstream pressure. For example, 400 PSI upstream pressure less 100 PSI downstream pressure equals 300 PSI pressure differential.
Most ball valves incorporate what is referred to as a &#;floating ball&#; design. The ball is connected to the valve stem via means of a slot in the top of the ball. This slot enables the ball to move or float slightly in the direction of flow when the valve is in the closed position.
As the pressure differential increases, so does the operating torque of the ball valve. The operating torque of the ball valve is the amount of force required to open/close the ball valve. Accordingly, the actuator needs sufficient torque output to meet/exceed the torque requirements of the ball valve.
Many suppliers require you to determine the valve torque requirements and match an actuator with sufficient torque output with a safety factor. Others, including Gemini Valve, match valve to actuator models for you. All you need to do is confirm your pressure differential is within the specific product ratings.
Most suppliers will not guarantee a specific life expectancy in that each application has subtle differences that can impact longevity. For those suppliers who offer a guarantee or warranty, be sure to understand what remedy will be made in the event of premature failure. Traditionally for actuated ball valves, the valve itself is subject to the most wear whereas the actuator (either electric or pneumatic) may be able to host several ball valves before replacement.
In general, ball valves will yield tens of thousands of cycles that are application dependent, whereas actuators yield hundreds of thousands of cycles. Traditionally, pneumatic actuators will generally yield significantly more cycles than electric actuators. Gemini Valve partners with OEMs to gain knowledge of their specific application parameters. We then assist in mating the correct product selection based upon your target life expectations.
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