As an important component of fluid control, ball valves may encounter some common failures during long-term use. The following is an introduction to the common faults of ball valves:
First, leakage
Leakage is one of the most common failures of ball valves and can be caused by a variety of reasons:
1. Sealing surface damage or sealing gasket failure: the sealing surface may be used for a long time due to impurities or particles in the medium to form scratches, or due to the aging of the sealing material. The gasket may also be too old and soft to fit the valve tightly, causing leakage.
2. Loose or stuck at the connection between the ball and the valve stem: If the connection between the ball and the valve stem is loose or stuck, it will affect the sealing performance of the valve, resulting in leakage.
3. Valve stem seal failure: If the valve stem seal fails or is damaged, the medium may leak from the valve stem.
4. Installation is not in place: If the ball valve is not installed in accordance with the requirements, such as inaccurate limit, not installed in the full open position, etc., it may also lead to leakage.
Second, stuck
The ball valve may be stuck during operation, causing the valve to fail to open or close. Causes of jams may include:
1. Blockage of impurities: the inside of the valve may be blocked by impurities or scale, affecting the smooth rotation of the sphere.
2. Valve stem deflection or sealing surface wear: Valve stem deflection or sealing surface wear for a long time will increase the friction between the ball and the seat, resulting in stuck.
Third, rotation difficulties
The difficulty in turning the handle or operating device of the ball valve may be caused by the following reasons:
1. Increased friction between the valve stem and the valve body: the gap between the valve stem and the valve body is too small or poor lubrication will increase friction, making rotation difficult.
2. Valve stem bent or damaged: If the valve stem is bent or damaged, it will directly affect its rotation performance.
Fourth, the operation is not sensitive
The insensitive operation of the ball valve may be manifested by the inability to open or close quickly, which is usually due to the following reasons:
1. Component wear: The valve seat, ball or stem and other components of the ball valve will be worn for a long time, affecting the sealing and operating performance of the valve.
2. Insufficient maintenance: The lack of regular maintenance will lead to the accumulation of impurities and rust inside the valve, which will affect its operating sensitivity.
Fifth, internal leakage
Internal leakage refers to the phenomenon that there is still medium through the ball valve in the closed state, which may be caused by the following reasons:
1. The ball and the seat are not fully fitted: due to improper installation or deformation of the ball and other reasons, there may be a gap between the ball and the seat, resulting in internal leakage.
2. Sealing surface damage: The sealing surface is damaged by impurities or particles in the medium and cannot be tightly fitted to the valve, resulting in internal leakage.
3. Long-term inactivity: If the ball valve is inactive for a long time or lacks maintenance, its seat and ball may be locked due to rust or accumulation of impurities, resulting in seal damage and internal leakage during switching.
Sixth, other failures
In addition, the ball valve may also encounter some other failures, such as the ball falling off, loose fasteners, etc. These failures are usually related to factors such as the structural design of the valve, material selection, and the way it is used and maintained.
In view of the above faults, appropriate measures should be taken in time, such as replacing the sealing surface, sealing gasket, valve stem and other wear parts, cleaning the internal impurities and scale of the valve, adjusting the gap between the valve stem and the valve body, and ensuring good lubrication. At the same time, strengthening the regular inspection and maintenance of the valve is also an important measure to prevent failure.
Post time: Sep-19-2024