Floating Ball Valve Manufacturing

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What Is a Floating Ball Valve?

Floating ball valves (Click here to learn more) are a popular type of ball valve and have a variety of applications. This type of valve comes with a floating or suspended ball that moves due to the pressure to control the flow. Their main function is to control the flow of liquids in pipelines. 
A floating ball valve works by sandwiching a hollow ball between two cupped seats. The ball moves upstream when onstream pressure increases. When the pressure drops, the ball moves downstream. The resulting seal prevents the liquid from leaking out. This valve is typically operated by a lever, gear, or pneumatic/hydraulic actuator. A floating ball valve features a seat that seals when a liquid flow is reversed. What's more, there is a forged floating ball valves. This kind of ball valve has a floating ball supported by two valve seats. Forged floating ball valves are also available in Double Block & Bleed designs and in custom configurations such as cryogenic extended bonnet or with special actuation.

The Working Principle of a Floating Ball Valve

Floating ball valves are used in various applications to control the flow of a fluid. The principle behind their operation is simple: a ball contains a hole in the center. This hole serves as the flow opening when the cross-section of the fluid flow path and the bore are coplanar. If the two are not coplanar, flow is throttled. Floating ball valves may consist of a solid ball with a consistent opening diameter throughout the structure. This makes fluid flow through the valve smooth and steady. 

A floating ball valve is most common in applications where the pressure is low. This type of valve is suited for a range of fluids, including gases and liquids. However, it cannot be used when the pressure on the upstream side is high because the ball directly absorbs the fluid's gravity. 

A floating ball valve is operated by a mechanical actuator. The stem moves to turn the ball disc to face the flow of media. A ring connects the stem to the actuator. Depending on the actuator, it can be operated manually by an electric motor, pneumatically, or hydraulically. Its working principle is similar across all housing types. But the housing design determines the cost of ownership and repair.