A ball valve is a fluid control valve, and its basic structure and principle are as follows:
Ball valve Definition and working principle
The valve body of a ball valve is spherical, with a hole in the center, and the ball is sandwiched between the valve seats in the valve body. By rotating the valve ball 90 degrees, it can block fluids such as liquids or gases and close the flow path. Therefore, the working principle of a ball valve is to control the on-off of the fluid by rotating the ball. Specifically, when the handle or drive rotates, the valve stem drives the ball to rotate, thereby changing the shape of the channel in the valve body and realizing the on-off control of the fluid.
Ball valve Structural features
The main components of a ball valve include a ball, a valve seat, a valve stem, and a handle (or drive). Among them, the valve seat is usually made of elastic material to ensure that the valve has good sealing performance in the closed state. When the ball rotates to contact the valve seat, due to the elasticity of the valve seat, a seal can be formed to prevent fluid leakage. The ball can then rotate freely in the valve body to control the on-off of the fluid.
In addition, the valve body of a ball valve has two types: a full body and a half sphere. The floating structure is that the ball is clamped and supported by the valve seat installed in the valve body, which is generally used for low pressure and small diameter. The trunnion type has a rotating structure, the upper part of the ball is supported by the valve stem, and the lower part is supported by the trunnion, which is generally used for high pressure and large diameter.
Ball valve Types and classifications
According to different structures and uses, ball valves can be divided into many types. For example:
Trunnion mounted ball valve
The ball is fixed and does not move after being pressurized, usually with a floating valve seat.
Floating ball valve
The ball will be tightly pressed on the sealing surface of the outlet under the pressure of the medium to ensure the sealing of the outlet.
Three-way ball valve
The ball with a T-shaped or L-shaped structure can realize the diversion and confluence of the fluid.
High-temperature ball valve
The ball and the valve seat are usually made of high-temperature resistant materials and can work normally in high-temperature environments.
High-pressure ball valve
The ball and the valve seat are usually made of high-pressure resistant materials and can work normally in high-pressure environments.
In addition, it can also be classified according to the driving method (such as manual, pneumatic, electric, etc.), connection method (such as flange connection, threaded connection, welding connection, etc.) and material (such as metal material, non-metallic material, etc.).
4. Ball valve Function and application
Ball valves have the characteristics of simple structure, good sealing and convenient operation. They are widely used in petroleum, chemical, metallurgy, electricity, tap water, natural gas and other industries. It can be used to control the flow of fluids and ensure the hygiene and safety of the production environment. At the same time, ball valves are also suitable for various media and gas-solid and liquid-solid two-phase flows, and have broad development prospects.
5. Maintenance and care
In order to ensure that the ball valve can work stably for a long time, regular maintenance and care are required. Specific measures include:
1. Regularly check the valve body and valve stem for signs of corrosion, cracks or other damage.
2. Check the sealing performance of the valve to ensure that there is no leakage.
3. For manually operated ball valves, regularly lubricate the valve stem and gearbox to reduce wear.
4. Keep the exterior of the ball valve clean and remove dust and oil; if possible, clean the valve ball and valve seat regularly to prevent impurities from accumulating.
5. Check whether all fasteners (such as screws and nuts) are loose and tighten them in time.
In summary, the ball valve is an efficient and reliable valve type that plays an important role in a variety of industrial fields. Through correct installation, use and maintenance measures, the stable operation of the ball valve can be ensured and its service life can be extended.
Post time: Dec-02-2024