Service conditions
A ball valve opens or closes the pipeline by rotating a ported ball. Port geometry, seats and stem sealing determine its operating behavior. Selection should consider differential pressure, fluid cleanliness and cycling duty together.
Construction and description
An eccentric segment arrangement uses offset movement to engage the seat and open or close the passage. Selection should examine the motion and seat-contact arrangement as well as solids in the fluid. Particle size, concentration and abrasiveness matter in solids-bearing service.
Match the operator to the valve load and site operating method. Manual operation needs accessible clearance. Frequent cycling or remote control also calls for assessment of output capability, duty and position feedback.
Define fluid composition and continuous and start-stop operating conditions, then assess body, internals and seals as a combination. Particles, deposits and cleaning affect sealing surfaces and mechanisms; plan maintenance for the actual service.