Ball Valves

Inventory

First Distributors offers a wide range of carbon steel, stainless steel, and even exotic alloy ball valves..





	Size Range:1/4" - 36" Diameter




	Body:2PC, 3PC, 1PC




	Floating:Ball is floating and will drift with the flow of media




	Trunnion: Mechanical anchoring of the ball at the top and bottom at the valve, for use in higher pressure situations




	Types:Quarter Turn: (Ball, Butterfly, Plug), Gate, Globe, Check, and Relief Valves




	End Connection:Flanged (RF, FF, and RTJ), Threaded, Socketweld, Buttweld




	Materials:Alloy 20, Aluminum Bronze, Bronze, Carbon Steel (WCB, A105), Cast Iron, Ductile Iron, F5, F9, F11, F22, F91, Hastelloy C, Monel/Inconel, LF2, LCB, LCC, Stainless Steel (316, 304, 304H, 347), WC6, WC9, C5, C12, C12A, FORGED BRASS (B283, C37700)




	Pressure Class: (FLANGED) 150# 300# 600# 900# 1500# 2500#...(THREADED, SOCKET WELD) 800# 1000@ 1500# 2000# 2500# 3000# 6000#...




	Ball & Stem:Carbon Steel, Carbon Steel and Electroless Nickel Plating, Stainless Steel, Monel, etc




	 Soft Goods (Seats, Seals and Stem Seal):Teflon, Reinforced Teflon, Graphite Filled, Peek, Metal, etc




	End Connections:Threaded, Socket weld, Flanged (RF FF RTJ), Butt-weld




	Port:Full or reduced: Full has oversized ball same size as pipeline, reduced is smaller than the pipeline




	Actuation:Most valves can have an actuator installed to make opening and closing easier.




	Special Trims:316 Stainless, Alloy 20, Aluminum Bronze, Bronze, Monel, NACE, and Full Stellite




	Brands:

Manterials Available

Most ball valves are going to be cast steel or forged steel. The main difference with forged steel is that they are going to be for high-pressure applications.  In addition to the materials below, many other grades of stainless and exotic alloys are also available

A216 WCB

A216 WCB is the specification that covers the castings for carbon steel valves for high-temperature service and the quality assurance required for assembly. The “WC” stands for wrought carbon and specifies that the product is made through “casting”, which is a manufacturing process where liquid material is poured into a mold and allowed to harden. A216 is suitable for fusion welding and high temperate services.

A105

A105 specification covers forged carbon steel components for ambient and higher-temperature service in pressure systems. The application of thermal and mechanical energy changes the shape of the material without melting it down. This is better for the structural integrity because it never is melted.

A351

ASTM A351 GR CF8M (SS 316SS) is the specification that covers cast stainless steel. F8M is a molybdenum bearing modification of CF8 alloy and is the cast equivalent of wrought AISI 316 stainless steel. The presence of molybdenum increases the general corrosion resistance and the resistance to pitting by chlorides. The alloy is used in mildly acidic and alkaline conditions and for handling citric, oxalic and phosphoric acids

Actuation Available

Manual operators, such as gears, are relatively inexpensive and require little peripheral planning beyond the installation and orientation of operators in the process line. Gears are simple machines that utilize a series of mechanical parts to increase efficiency – the mechanical advantage that the user gains.

Torque is a function of force and distance – the required force (rim pull) required to open or close the valve can be decreased by increasing the length of the lever or diameter of the handwheel mounted on the valve. The industry defines specifications for the highest values personnel should exert on levers or handwheels to operate a valve. Current API specifications limit pull to 360 Newtons (80 pounds-force). The maximum lever length or handwheel diameter also is limited by industry specifications.

  • Lever Handle – usually ¼” turn, as it states you operate the ball with a lever by hand. The lever will turn the ball in either a floating or trunnion ball valve, letting the opening allow media to flow through or be stopped.
  • Handwheel - the hand wheel operates the ball by physical force and turns the ball open or closed.
  • Gear Operator – uses gears to reduce the amount of force required to open and close the ball on the valve.
  • Actuator – Takes the physical component of operating the valve out of the equations and will operate the valve automatically, usually by switches (Hydraulic, Electrometer, and Pneumatic)

A Guide To Body Configurations (style Of Ball Valves)

You can get ball valves generally in five different styles: single body, two-piece body, three-piece body, top entry and welded. The most common are single, double and three piece. The differences are the configuration related to the bore of the ball mechanism itself, but functionality remains the same. Ball valves are also broken down into two main types (Trunnion and Floating), which we will go into further details below.

One Piece

One piece valves are almost always reduced bore and are generally low cost and referred to as a “throw away valve”. Their body is one whole piece.

Two Piece

Two piece are usually reduced or standard bore and can either be thrown out or repaired

Three Piece

Three piece allows for the center part of the valve, containing the ball, to be easily removed and replaced or repaired. This function of the valve allows for easy access and repair of the valve without having to replace.

Tope Entry

Top Entry: The difference is based on how the pieces of the valve are manufactured and assembled, but the valve operation is the same in each type. Each design has its benefits.

Trunnion Ball Valves

Tees are used to combine or divide process flow, and Reducing Tees additionally allow for pipe size change.  The run outlets of the tee are the two in-line outlets, and the branch is the third outlet.  The branch outlet is the reducing outlet in a reducing tee.

Floating Ball Valves

Floating ball valves are constructed to where the ball floats freely in the body of the valve. As the flow moves through the valve the ball will shift slightly downstream against the seat of the valve creating a secure seal. These valves are typically cheaper than their trunnion counterpart.

End Connections Overview:

Ball valves will come in a few variations of end connections; this will usually give you an idea of the range of pressure classes you should choose from for your valve. Cast and forged ball valves will share the same end connections, but you should specify which type of end connections you will need for your project. Ball valves are “Bi-Directional” meaning material can go either way through the valve and you will not have to worry about installing the valve a certain way on the pipeline.
  • Threaded – A very common end connection, this will normally come in female national pipe thread (FNPT). The valve will be screwed or threaded on to the pipeline.
  • Socket weld – the end connection is counter bored and the pipe will be inserted and butted up to the inner lip of the end connection then fillet welded around.
  • ThreadX SocketWeld – Since ball valves are bi-directional you can have thread x socket weld, but do not need to specify which end is which.
  • Flanged – Will have flanges installed on the valves to be installed directly into the pipeline.

FULL PORT VS. REDUCED PORT

  • Threaded – A very common end connection, this will normally come in female national pipe thread (FNPT). The valve will be screwed or threaded on to the pipeline.
  • Socket weld – the end connection is counter bored and the pipe will be inserted and butted up to the inner lip of the end connection then fillet welded around.
  • ThreadX SocketWeld – Since ball valves are bi-directional you can have thread x socket weld, but do not need to specify which end is which.
  • Flanged – Will have flanges installed on the valves to be installed directly into the pipeline.

Commonly Found Manufacturers/brands Of Ball Valves