There are many different options in valves in the market, and choosing the right type of valve is just as important as choosing the correct size and working range for the valve in the given operation.
A ball valve is a quarter turn valve, which means that by turning an exterior lever or handle the valve is either on or off. This is done by the movement of a ball in the center of the valve. The ball has a hole drilled through the center. By turning the handle on the exterior of the valve which is connected to the ball, the hole lines up with two ports to allow flow through in the open position. Reversing the handle ninety degrees moves the hole out of alignment with the ports, completely sealing off any flow through the valve.
Configuration
The description above is accurate for a two way ball valve, but there are other configurations possible. A three way ball valve has three ports, which allows the valve to redirect flow from the inlet port to one of two outlet ports. This type of configuration is required whenever a system may have a need to redirect the liquid through the valve based on a specific application requirement.
A three way ball valve can be designed to have either an L or a T-port configuration. The L-port arrangement allows the liquid to come into the inlet port and out either one of the outlet ports at a time, or to also completely shut off flow through the valve. The T-port configuration offers the same options, but can also be positioned to allow the liquid to exit out of both outlet ports at the same time.
Considering the possible needs of the systems with regards to directing liquids is important before choosing a three way ball valve. Custom made valves can accommodate any flow and pressure requirements for the system, providing a durable valve that is easy to operate.
