The inherent design of ball valves makes them best for on/off management of all kinds of media, but what exactly must you expect when it comes to service life? A quick Google search for “ball valve lifespan” turns up a blanket response of a hundred,000 cycles. If solely the real reply was that easy.
The actuality is that the lifespan of your ball valves depends on a handful of factors. Ball valves in high-cycle or high-pressure settings will need servicing or changing more usually than these with rare operations — and that’s earlier than factoring in any media-specific nuances.
You will see that the majority of ball valve suppliers do set ensures for the life expectancy of their products as a end result of there are so many elements to think about first. Here’s a closer have a look at 5 that will impression the longevity of your ball valves.
1. Media
Ball valves are traditionally used for the on/off management of gases and liquids, together with water, oil, air and chemicals.
Media with suspended particulates which are abrasive in nature can cause the valve seals to fail prematurely. This can come in the form of a leak or, relying on the severity of the media characteristics, the ball valve operating torque may rise dramatically finally causing actuation failure.
Takeaways
Use ball valves only for the on/off control of liquids or gases. Avoid abrasive media.
A three-piece ball valve features a main physique and two pipe connectors, which are threaded or welded to a pipe. The major physique could be simply eliminated for cleaning or repairs without removing the pipe connectors.
2. Materials
The proper supplies on your ball valve will depend on the type of liquid or gasoline flowing through the valve. Some of the most typical materials used to fabricate ball valves embody chrome steel, PVC, brass and bronze.
The materials of both the valve physique and the seals must be appropriate with temperature and stress scores, in addition to the chemical make-up of the gas or liquid that can flow via the valve.
Here’s a better look at materials choices:
Metals: Stainless steel, bronze and brass are extremely sturdy and corrosion-resistant. Metal materials are your finest option for high-temperature applications.
PVC: Polyvinyl chloride is a kind of plastic that provides extra flexibility than steel valves. However, PVC is not as sturdy as metal options and is not designed for top temperatures (over 140°F) or high-pressure functions. PVC ball valves are most likely to have shorter lifespans than different choices.
PTFE: Polytetrafluorethylene is used for most ball valve seals and is compatible with practically all kinds of media. This materials has a excessive melting point, but purposes with very excessive temperatures ought to use steel or ceramic seals.
Elastomers: Elastomers corresponding to Viton and EPDM are additionally utilized in certain ball valve designs. When utilizing valves that embrace an elastomer, it is essential to ensure that the fabric used is suitable along with your application media.
One useful resource that’s commonly used for identifying chemical compatibility is the Cole-Parmer Chemical Compatibility Database. This is an efficient device for figuring out primary chemical compatibility between the valve components and the applying media.
Where the supplies come from is just as essential. Some resellers might source ball valves from producers around the globe, so there’s always the potential for design inconsistencies or functionality issues. Valves from domestic producers usually offer more dependable and long-lasting merchandise.
Takeaways
Plastic ball valves are economical but should not be utilized in high-temperature settings and have a tendency to have shorter lifespans in comparison with steel options. Pressurized gases ought to be used with metal valves for max safety. It is essential to guarantee that each the valve physique and seal supplies are protected to be used with the media that shall be flowing via the valve.
Ball valve manufacturing components
3. Temperature & pressure scores
When determining suitability, you will want to think about both the valve media pressure and temperature, generally referred to as pressure/temperature rating. In basic, as the media pressure increases, the media temperature must decrease, and vise versa.
The pressure/temperature ranking will affect the correct supplies, valve design and valve seal supplies that must be used. This, mixed with cycle frequency, are all elements that have a significant have an result on on the lifespan of a ball valve. A ball valve used in an application that’s near the pressure/temperature score might final years if the valve is cycled (turned on or off) infrequently. The identical valve in the same software may need frequent alternative if the valve is cycled typically.
Takeaways
The nearer your specific valve media is to the higher limits of the valve pressure/temperature score, the less cycles (on/off) the ball valve will yield. If you proceed to have questions, attain out to the ball valve producer for advice.
4. Actuation
There is a couple of approach to energy a ball valve. Manual ball valves are managed by turning a lever or handle on high of the valve. Since these valves have to be powered by an operator, they aren’t the right selection for high-cycle purposes or for valves situated in hard-to-reach places.
Actuated ball valves may be automated and managed remotely by way of the addition of an influence supply. You will probably see the next options:
Pneumatic actuated ball valves are used in environments with entry to compressed air. They provide fast cycle instances and excessive sturdiness.
Electric actuated ball valves should be utilized in applications that require low cycle speeds or these with no access to compressed air. The slower index times can help forestall water hammer in high-pressure applications. You may also see these called “motorized ball valves.”
Hydraulic actuated ball valves function on related rules as pneumatics but offer extra torque output. These are usually more expensive than other actuator options and might require further parts for proper functioning.
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Although pneumatic actuators are the most sturdy options, in most purposes all actuator sorts (pneumatic, electric, hydraulic) will lengthy outlast the ball valve they operate. Regardless of the actuator that is chosen, it’ll doubtless final the lifespan of multiple valves.
Electric actuated ball valves, also known as motorized ball valves or rotary ball valves, are the most well-liked alternative for ball valve automation. These products use an electrical motor to function the ball valve and management the circulate of media.
5. Maintenance
With an actuated ball valve, the valve seals are nearly all the time the primary element to fail, often within the type of a leak either from the stem seal or seats famous by downstream leakage when the valve is in the off place. For this cause, it is not uncommon to attempt to repair the valve by changing the gentle seals.
If you’re planning to take care of the valve in your software, you will need to choose a valve that’s designed for serviceability, similar to a three-piece ball valve. These valves are designed in order that the middle part and seals of the valve may be simply and safely replaced. One-piece and two-piece ball valves are not designed to be taken apart and ought to be replaced somewhat than repaired. The good news is that the alternative ball valve price is a small percentage of the general price of the actuated ball valve meeting. Depending on the brand and high quality of the actuator, one actuator will host a quantity of ball valves earlier than needing substitute.
Takeaways
An actuator will usually final the lifespan of multiple ball valves, so you should count on to switch the ball valve extra frequently than the actuator. In purposes where the valve will be subjected to excessive put on and tear, a three-piece ball valve ought to be thought of to permit for serviceability of the valve.
Ultimately, put on and tear are anticipated irrespective of the media or software. But with proper set up and the right material building, you can maximize the time your ball valves spend in service and, in turn, get the most bang in your buck.
George Packard is VP of marketing at Gemini Valve. Hemanages the creation of digital marketing mediums to facilitate the most effective consumer expertise with the company’s services and products. With previous expertise in gross sales, Packard mentors corporate buyer help representatives and is concerned in product gross sales, support and post-sales comply with up.
Gemini Valve
geminivalve.com
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