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A ball valve is a popular choice for controlling fluid flow because of its compact design, high cycle speed, and long life. This valve type is often used in the manufacturing, automotive, and chemical processing industries.
These valves are easier to maintain than gate-style valves and require less motion to operate. Moreover, they offer a more secure seal and are therefore preferred in these settings.
Gate valves don’t offer immediate shut-off capabilities, but they provide finer control over water flow. These valves can prevent water hammers and are best for situations where water pressure is extremely high.
If you want to know which type of industrial valve is better, follow this guide.
Table of Contents
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- What Is a Ball Valve and How Does It Work?
- Advantages of Ball Valve
- Limitations of Ball Valve
What Is a Ball Valve and How Does It Work?
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A ball valve is a type of mechanical valve that controls the flow of fluid. As the name goes, there is a hollow ball inside this valve that helps in flow control. It is one of the most common types of valves used in industries.
The main difference between a regular ball valve and a ball valve that has a seat is how the ball is assembled. A top entry ball is usually made from cast metal and can be removed from the pipe system, making it a popular choice for larger sizes. Because of this, the top-entry type does not require a lot of thread connection and minimizes the possibility of leaks.
In a manual ball valve, the stem connects the opening and closing part of the valve to an external control mechanism. When the valve is opened, the bore aligns with the pipeline. In an open position, the ball moves away from the valve and is perpendicular to the flow path. This means that when it closes, the fluid cannot pass through the valve.
Advantages of Ball Valve
One of the main advantages of using a ball valve is its simplicity. The ball is held in place by two-seat rings and is supported by two electrically operated shafts. As the shaft rotates, the ball opens and closes the valve.
As it is small, easy installation and removal are no longer a problem. Additionally, the ball is easy to clean. There are fewer parts and pieces to maintain, which makes it a great choice for small applications.
Another advantage of using a ball valve is its durability. Many types of these valves are made of plastic, which does not rust. Some of them are also very simple to repair. This is largely due to their simple design, which allows for easy access to seals and seats. Repairs are quick and do not require intensive workmanship. This is a huge plus when you’re working with a tight budget.
Ball valves are often versatile. They’re very resistant to corroding and rust. Because they’re so simple to repair, they can be easily repaired. The basic design makes it easy to remove the seat and seals, minimizing the need for complicated work. You can use ball valves for flow control. It is one of the most popular shut-off valves used in the piping industry.
Limitations of Ball Valve
A ball valve is a simple, reliable, and economical way to control flow in a wide range of applications. The design of the ball valve is simple, and it has many advantages. However, there are some limitations of ball valves that you must consider.
Metal ball valves are susceptible to rusting. A ball valve seat should be protected from high temperatures or chemicals. As a result, the valve cannot be used in pharmaceutical applications. The other disadvantages of a rotor valve are its lack of cleanliness.
The material used for ball valves is tough and rigid. The seats must have a low coefficient of friction and high compressive strength. These materials must be compatible with the working fluid.
There is a limited number of applications for a ball valve. The advantages of this valve include its ease of operation and minimal leakage risk. However, it should not be used in throttling processes because of the possibility of particle buildup.
What Is A Gate Valve and How Does It Work?
A gate valve is an important part of any pipeline. It can prevent backflow of the fluid, control pressure, and prevent scalding of piping. A gate valve is a simple mechanical valve with a gate-like disc and a screwed stem that is actuated by a hand-wheel or a screw.
The disc moves in an arc and seats against two faces to block flow. A gland is located inside the body and supplies packing to keep it in place and prevent leaks.
There are two types of gate valves: open and closed. Both types are suitable for regulating water or other fluids, though the latter is recommended for high-pressure applications. The open position of a gate valve is used for throttling, and the closed position is for regulating pressure.
However, the partially-open position can cause backflow, which lowers efficiency and precision. Fortunately, the semi-open position is also suitable for smaller valves.
A gate valve is an integral part of a valve. It is designed for use with corrosive liquids at normal temperatures. The seat, or disc, is a small disc with a variety of materials and designs.
Advantages of Gate Valve
The most obvious advantage of a gate valve is that it is compact. The short length of this type of valve makes its installation easy and relatively cheap. The gate valve has a large opening height and requires a large opening space. It is a bidirectional valve and can be used to control flow in both directions.
The main advantage of a gate valve is that it has low flow resistance. Because the valve body has no obstruction, it is suitable for all types of fluids. Because the sealing surface is small, it can be easily cleaned with a pipe cleaning pig.
In addition, it is compatible with all kinds of fluids, including wastewater and potable water. Another advantage of a gate valve is that it offers minimal flow regulation. It has a large opening range and can efficiently carry out a variety of industrial functions.
Limitations of Gate Valve
The main limitation of a gate valve is that it can’t control flow. The design of a gate valve is prone to erosion of the valve seat and disk, which leads to excessive wear and tear. Moreover, this type of valve requires a large space to install and operate.
Compared to other types of valves, a non-rising stem has a less vertical area and a lower pressure drop. The main disadvantage of a gate valve is that its service life is short.
Another limitation of a gate valve is that it cannot regulate the flow rate. High pressure in the valve chamber causes the pressure inside the chamber to increase. As a result, the discs are forced to contact the seats closer together.
This leads to a larger amount of stress on the seat and a smaller opening height. This design also makes it easier for a single person to operate a large gate.
Are Ball Valves Better Than Gate Valves?
Both ball and gate valves are designed to perform the same function, but they serve a slightly different purpose. A ball valve is a type of valve with a stem and a ball inside that rotates horizontally. This type of valve is commonly referred to as a “rotational valve” and is most commonly used in applications where pressure drop is not a major issue.
By contrast, a gate is an open/close type of device with a planar sealing surface between the seat and gate. This type of valve is usually used in applications where there is no pressure drop, and the only restriction is the flow of fluid into or out of the system.
This type of valve is better as they offer 100% shut-off characteristics. Furthermore, they require less space to install and require less maintenance than gate valves.
When it comes to valve design, ball valves have some distinct advantages. Due to their compact design, they are better for smaller spaces and high-pressure applications. Ball valves are durable and offer lower rates of failure. The durability, versatility, and ease of use make a ball valve better than a gate valve.