Three-Way Ball Valves: Features and Applications

Three-way ball valves are a type of valve that has shut-off, distribution, and mixing functions. It is composed of a ball, a seat, a stem, a sealing ring, and a transmission mechanism. The ball is spherical, and there is a sealing ring between the ball and the seat, so the sealing performance is good. The ball rotates 90° around the valve axis, which can realize opening, closing, blocking, and bypass operations.

The features of three-way ball valves are mainly reflected in the following aspects:

• Simple structure: Three-way ball valves are composed of a ball, a seat, a stem, a sealing ring, and a transmission mechanism. The structure is simple and easy to manufacture and repair.

• Good sealing performance: The sealing surface of a three-way ball valve is the ball and the seat. The sealing surface and the sealing ring have good fit, so the sealing performance is good.

• Small flow resistance: The fluid passage of a three-way ball valve is the ball. The ball is round, so the fluid resistance is small when the fluid flows through it.

• Flexible operation: The ball of a three-way ball valve can rotate 90° around the valve axis, so it can realize opening, closing, blocking, and bypass operations.

• Easy to maintain: The structure of a three-way ball valve is simple. When it is repaired, only the stem and the sealing ring need to be removed, so the repair is convenient.

Three-way ball valves are widely used in the petroleum, chemical, metallurgical, power, water supply, and construction industries. In the petroleum and chemical industries, three-way ball valves are used for the transportation and distribution of crude oil, natural gas, and chemical products. In the metallurgical industry, three-way ball valves are used for the transportation and distribution of metallurgical raw materials and metallurgical products. In the power industry, three-way ball valves are used for the transportation and distribution of cooling water, lubricating oil, and other media for power equipment. In the water supply industry, three-way ball valves are used for the connection and control of pipes in water supply, drainage, and fire protection systems. In the construction industry, three-way ball valves are used for the connection and control of pipes in construction projects.

Three-way ball valves are a common type of valve in pipeline systems. They have good performance and should be used with care to ensure their normal operation.

Selection of Three-Way Ball Valves

When selecting three-way ball valves, the following factors should be considered:

• Media type: Select the appropriate valve body material and sealing material according to the type of media flowing in the pipe.

• Working pressure: Select the appropriate valve pressure rating according to the working pressure in the pipe.

• Working temperature: Select the appropriate valve temperature rating according to the working temperature in the pipe.

• Flow rate: Select the appropriate valve bore and flow rate rating according to the flow rate requirements in the pipe.

• Transmission mode: Select the appropriate transmission mode according to the control requirements.

Three-way ball valves are a common type of valve in pipeline systems. They have good performance and should be selected according to actual needs to select the appropriate valve type and specification.