Why Operating Pressure Influences Ball Valve Selection

Why operating pressure affects ball valve selection

Why operating pressure is a key factor influencing ball valve selection. Let's explore the impact of operating pressure on ball valve performance, sealing, ball material, actuator, and valve life to reveal this complex relationship.

1. Operating pressure and ball valve performance

Ball valve performance changes under operating pressure. For example, when pressure increases, the valve's flow resistance increases accordingly. This is because the fluid experiences greater resistance as it passes through the valve, resulting in an increased pressure drop. In order to maintain system efficiency, ball valves with lower flow resistance need to be selected. According to research, a 10% increase in flow resistance may result in a 5% reduction in system efficiency, api 6d ball valve.

2. Operating pressure and sealing

The operating pressure has a decisive influence on the sealing performance of the ball valve. In a high-pressure environment, the sealing surface between the ball and the valve seat will be subject to greater pressure, so higher-quality sealing materials and more precise manufacturing processes are required to ensure sealing reliability. It is reported that about 70% of leakage accidents due to seal failure are related to excessive operating pressure.

3. Operating pressure and ball material

Operating pressure also affects the choice of sphere material. In a high-pressure environment, the sphere needs to withstand greater stress and corrosion. Therefore, it is crucial to choose materials with high yield strength and good corrosion resistance. For example, our company has developed a new type of high-strength stainless steel with a yield strength of 800 MPa, which is 30% higher than ordinary stainless steel, high temperature gate valves.

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4. Operating pressure and actuator

The actuator is a key component of the ball valve, and its performance is also affected in high-pressure environments. The actuator needs to generate enough torque to overcome the frictional resistance between the ball and the valve seat to ensure that the valve can open and close normally under high pressure. According to the American Senior Research Institute, when the operating pressure increases by 50%, the torque required by the actuator may increase by 20%.

5. Operating pressure and valve life

Finally, operating pressure has a significant impact on ball valve life. In a high-pressure environment, the wear of the ball and valve seat will be accelerated, thus shortening the service life of the valve. In order to extend the life of the valve, it is necessary to select materials with better wear resistance and optimize the valve structural design. Data research shows that using ceramic coating technology can increase valve life by more than 2 times, low temperature ball valves.

6. Actual case analysis

To better illustrate how operating pressure affects ball valve selection, we analyzed a real-life case. In the process flow of the likelife petrochemical plant in California, the operating pressure is as high as 200 bar. Since the influence of operating pressure was not fully considered in the initial design, an ordinary stainless steel ball valve was selected. The result is valve leakage and reduced performance in the short term. Later, the factory selected ball materials with high yield strength and good corrosion resistance, as well as optimized actuators and sealing structures. These improvements significantly improve the performance and life of the valve and reduce the risk of leakage accidents, carbon steel gate valves.

In order to ensure that ball valves can maintain excellent performance and sealing in high-pressure environments, we must fully consider the impact of operating pressure and take corresponding measures to optimize the design, materials, and manufacturing processes of the valve. Looking to the future, with the advancement of technology and the continuous emergence of new materials, we have reason to believe that the performance of ball valves in high-pressure environments will be further improved.