The ball valve (Fig. 1) is a quarter-turn valve suitable for clean gas, compressed air, and liquid service. They also can be used for slurry service, but provisions for prevention of crud buildup must be made. The use of soft-seat materials such as nylon, delrin, synthetic rubbers, and fluorinated polymers imparts excellent sealing ability.
Fig. 1: Ball valve in closed position |
With fluorinated polymer seats, ball valves can be used for service temperatures ranging from 450 to 500 F ( 270 to 260 C); with graphite seats, service temperatures to 1000 F (538 C) or even higher are possible. Also, with metal backing seats, the valves can be used in fire-safe services. Ball valves are similar to plug valves in operation. They are nonbinding and provide leak-tight closure. The valves exhibit negligible resistance to flow because of their smooth body and port.