What is a ball valve?

The ball valve is the most common and widely used type of fluid or gas interception device.
Its operation is based on the 90° rotation of a spherical shutter equipped with a cylindrical cavity coaxial to the flow.

Types of ball valves

• Floating Ball Valve

• The ball is not fixed and is held in place by the compression of the seats.
• Suitable for low to medium pressure systems, common in water and gas systems.
• Trunnion Ball Valve
• The ball is anchored by a trunnion (a fixed shaft), reducing wear on seats.
• Ideal for high-pressure or large-diameter applications, like in the oil and gas industry.
• Three-Way Ball Valve
• Has three ports (L or T configuration) to direct flow in multiple directions.
• Used for mixing or diverting fluids in HVAC, chemical, or water treatment systems.
• Top-Entry Ball Valve
• Allows access to internal components without removing the valve from the pipeline.
• Used in applications requiring frequent maintenance, like industrial gas systems.
• Double Block and Bleed Ball Valve
• Features two seating surfaces for isolation and a bleed valve to release trapped pressure.
• Used in critical systems like oil and gas for enhanced safety.
• Cryogenic Ball Valve
• Designed for low-temperature applications, with materials and seals suited for extreme cold.
• Used in LNG (liquefied natural gas) or cryogenic fluid handling.
• V-Port Ball Valve
• Features a V-shaped ball or seat, enabling precise flow control by varying the opening size.
• Used in throttling applications, like chemical processing.