These valves are limited to temperatures that have little effect on their plastic seats. Since the sealing element is a ball, its alignment with the axis of the stem is not essential to tight shutoff. In free-ball valves the ball is free to move axially.
Pressure differential across the valve forces the ball in the closed position against the downstream seat and the latter against the body. In fixed-ball valves, the ball rotates on stem extensions, with the bearings sealed with O rings. Plastic seats may be compressed or spring loaded against the ball and the body by the assembly of the valves, or they may be forced against the ball by pressure across the valve acting against O rings which seal between the seat and the body.
Ball valves in which the ball and seats are inserted from above are known as top-entry ball valves. Replacement of
seats is easiest in this type. The others are known as split-body valves. Some of these incorporate bolted assembly which permits their use as joints for assembly of the piping. Replacement of seats in this type is easiest when the body consists of three pieces with the ball and the seats contained in the middle piece.
For the larger sizes in high-pressure service, the fixed-ball type with O-ring seat seals requires less operating effort. However, these require two different plastic materials with resistance to the fluid and its temperature. Like plug cocks, ball valves may be either restricted port or full-port, but the ports are always rounded and pressure drop is low.
Pressure differential across the valve forces the ball in the closed position against the downstream seat and the latter against the body. In fixed-ball valves, the ball rotates on stem extensions, with the bearings sealed with O rings. Plastic seats may be compressed or spring loaded against the ball and the body by the assembly of the valves, or they may be forced against the ball by pressure across the valve acting against O rings which seal between the seat and the body.
Ball valves in which the ball and seats are inserted from above are known as top-entry ball valves. Replacement of
seats is easiest in this type. The others are known as split-body valves. Some of these incorporate bolted assembly which permits their use as joints for assembly of the piping. Replacement of seats in this type is easiest when the body consists of three pieces with the ball and the seats contained in the middle piece.For the larger sizes in high-pressure service, the fixed-ball type with O-ring seat seals requires less operating effort. However, these require two different plastic materials with resistance to the fluid and its temperature. Like plug cocks, ball valves may be either restricted port or full-port, but the ports are always rounded and pressure drop is low.
