2-Way Ball Valves Types and Uses

What is a Ball Valve ?

A ball valve is an on-off or a shut-off valve. 2-way ball valves control the flow of the liquid or gas medium with a rotary ball, stem, and bore. A ball valve is also a quarter-turn valve and can be used where quick and frequent operation is essential.

Conventional ball valves have relatively poor throttling characteristics because the exposed seat can rapidly erode in a partially open or closed position.

FAQs

1. What are the advantages of 2-way ball valves?

They provide reliable sealing capabilities. The ball is highly polished to provide tight shutoff, reducing the likelihood of leaks even if the system is not used after a long time.

They are made of highly durable and long-lasting materials like carbon steel or stainless steel. Stainless steel 2-way ball valves are very resistant and used for harsh environments with high temperatures and chemicals.

They offer faster shut-off due to their quarter-turn valve. It is called a quarter-turn valve because the handle only needs a quarter turn (90° turn) to allow or block the flow of the medium, which is extremely important during emergencies.

It is easy to spot the open or closed state of the valve as you can visually detect the position of the handle.

2. When should I use 2-way ball valves?

The following checklist can be used to see if a 2-way ball valve is suitable for use.

• Require more than 2 ports: A ball valve can have 2 to 4 ports (2-way, 3-way or 4-way ball valves).
• Lower flow capacity: 2-way ball valves are usually in smaller diameters, with lower flow capacity.
• Faster opening or closing speed: It only requires a quarter turn (90° turn) to allow or block the flow of the medium.
• Need a tight seal and have complete shut-off: 2-way ball valves provide reliable sealing capabilities.
• Used for low-pressure applications: This is to prevent hydraulic shock (water hammer).
• Used for non-abrasive services: Ball valves are generally soft seated which makes them unsuitable for abrasive services. The soft seals can be damaged by solid particles or trapped in body cavities.

3. What are the different housing assemblies for the 2-way ball valve?

There are 3 commonly used designs - 1-piece, 2-piece, or 3-piece housings- which affect how the valve is assembled and maintained.

• 1-piece valves cannot be disassembled for maintenance. This is the cheapest variant and is often used for low demanding applications.
• 2-piece valves can be disassembled for maintenance and inspection. The valve must be completely removed from the pipeline to separate the two parts.
• 3-piece valves are the most expensive variant as the valve can be repaired without completely removing the entire valve from the pipeline.

4. What are the different ball types?

Depending on how the ball is supported, there is either the floating ball design or trunnion ball design.

In a floating ball design, the ball is held between the seats. It is used for small bore valves (up to 6") in class 150 and class 300 ratings.

In a trunnion ball design, the ball is supported below the ball. Class 150 and 300 rated valves 8" and above are normally specified with trunnion mounted ball design. Class 600 and above rated valves normally have trunnion mounted designs in sizes 1 1/2" and above.

5. What are the different port patterns?

Ball valves are available in the following port patterns:

• Reduced Port
• Venturi Port
• Full Port

For most applications, reduced port ball valves are specified as they are less expensive than the full port or full bore valves.

Full bore valves are used in pipelines which are often subjected to pigging operations and require the bore of the ball valve to match the internal diameter of the pipeline.

They are also specified in hot-tapping applications and where pressure drop across the valve becomes very critical.

6. What are the seat designs available for ball valves?

Soft seat design: Ball valves are usually provided with soft seats such as PTFE, filled PTFE, nylon, Buna-N, and Neoprene. These soft seats limit the maximum working temperature and make the valve unsuitable for abrasive service.

Anti-static design: When the valves are provided with soft seats, the anti-static design ensures electrical continuity between the ball, stem, and body of the valve.

Metal to metal design: For abrasive service applications or high integrity applications such as very high pressure, temperatures above 392°F, or if solid particles are present in the fluid, metal to metal seated ball valves can be used. They incorporate tungsten carbide coating.

For high-temperature services, the valves are normally fitted with extension bonnets to ensure that the operator is located in the ambient temperature zone. Metal seated ball valves are normally used, whenever a high safety level is required, as in the HIPPS application. Seat leakage test is carried out in accordance with BS 6755 part I, rate B.

7. How to use a 2-way ball valve effectively and safely?

2-way ball valves are best used for low-pressure applications, to prevent hydraulic shock (water hammer). 2-way ball valves offer quicker shut-off due to their quarter-turn valve. This abrupt shutoff of the medium might cause a pressure surge, generating a noise like the pipes are being struck with a hammer (water hammer). This powerful water hammer can rupture the system and cause a leak. To reduce the effects of water hammer, several safety features like expansion tanks, accumulators and blow-off valves can be installed.

If the valves are used on high-pressure gas applications, use explosive decompression O-rings. When normal elastomeric O-rings are used, there is the possibility of gas being absorbed into the molecular structure. If the valve is subjected to sudden decompression, the gas will expand rapidly and may destroy the O-ring. To eliminate this possibility, special O-rings or lip seals, suitable for such service conditions, are available.
​
If a fire-safe design is required, the valve will be labelled as "FIRE-SAFE" in accordance with one of the following specifications: ISO 10497, BS 6755-2, API 607, or API 6FA.
2-way ball valves also have a chance for failure. The valve either would not seal fully due to a damaged seal or the valve would not move as debris is blocking the valve. It is important to perform frequent checks to ensure that the seal isn’t damaged and clear any debris that entered the valve.

8. What do I look out for when purchasing a ball valve?

When purchasing a 2-way ball valve, do look out for the following:

• Valve size
• Pressure class
• Ball type: floating ball or trunnion mounted design
• Pattern: standard pattern or short pattern
• Bore: full bore or reduced bore
• Ends: flanged ends, socket-weld, threaded or butt-weld ends
• Anti-static device
• Details of Operator: lever, gear, or actuator (electric, pneumatic or hydraulic-operated)
• Above ground or buried valve with an extended stem (specify the depth of burial and the dimension of stem extension)
• Body, seat rings, trim, trunnion, seals, bolts, nuts, gaskets, and packing material
• Certification requirements

If required, do look out for the following:

• Lifting eyes or lugs: usually specified for valves weighing over 250kg
• Seating (if not a soft seated valve e.g. metal seated design)
• Orientation of valve (if the valve is not installed with the stem vertically up)
• Valve support (if required by stress analysis): custom-designed, usually not valve supports supplied as part of standard design
• Face to face dimension (if non-standard)
• Locking device (if required): to retain the valve in locked open or lock closed position
• Drain connection (if required)
• Sealant injection connection (if required)
• Hot-tap operation (if required)
• Fire-safe test (if required)
• Integral bypass connection (if required)
• Painting specification (applicable to the project)

Get Your 2-way Ball Valves Today

Lian Ee Hydraulics has been finding innovative answers to some of the world’s most challenging hydraulic connections for the past 30 years. We provide reliable 2-way ball valves that are suited to all your hydraulic needs. View them here.

A Guide to Choosing Your Hydraulic Hose Fittings

Hydraulic hose fittings connect hoses, pipes and tubes so the medium can be transported safely in a hydraulic system.

A hose fitting may be small in size but if a wrong one is used or used incorrectly, the hose fitting can greatly decrease the efficiency of the whole hydraulic system and compromise safety standards.

It’s important to select the right hydraulic hose fitting. Hydraulic hose fittings are made of various materials and come in different shapes and sizes, including crosses, plugs, elbows and unions. With various materials and geometries, these fittings have a wide array of performance capabilities.

If you are unsure what shape, material, threading and sealing option to choose, take a look at our guide below to select the appropriate hydraulic hose fitting for your hydraulic system.

1. Choose Your Hydraulic Hose Fitting

The acronym STAMP is an easy reference to use when choosing your hydraulic hose fittings. STAMP refers to size, temperature, application, media and pressure.

1. Size of hose fitting

The tube’s diameter and wall thickness are vital in ensuring proper flow velocity. A flow that is too slow results in sluggish system performance while a flow that is too high causes excessive pressure drops, system damage and leaks.

2. Temperature of medium and ambient

The temperature rating of the hose should meet or exceed the highest media and ambient temperature of your application. The operating temperature range for hose fittings is dependent on the material, plating and type of seal, if applicable. Use O-ring seals to ensure leak-free operations. The table below shows the temperature range for the common hose fitting materials.

3. Application of the hose and tube fitting

The environment where the hydraulic system operates is an important factor to consider as well.

Select hoses and tube fittings that meet the legal requirements and functional requirements of your application. Below are some questions as a guide:
 

• Will the hoses and tube fittings encounter rubbing or abrasive surfaces? If yes, get abrasion-resistant hoses and tube fittings.
• Will the hoses and tube fittings be exposed to corrosive chemicals? If yes, get stainless steel or brass tube fittings.
• Is the application space tight? If yes, select hoses with a higher bend radius.
• Are mechanical loads applied to the assembly? If yes, choose tougher materials like stainless steel.

4. Medium
The type of fluid that is conveyed or is in immediate contact with the hose and tube fitting is also an important factor. The hose and tube fitting must be compatible with the medium being conveyed.
Check the compatibility of the inner tube, cover and hose fittings, including the O-Rings and seals.
5. Pressure
The dynamic pressure rating of the hose fitting should be equal to or higher than the system pressure. Static systems typically operate at a 3:1 design factor while dynamic systems operate on a 4:1 design factor.
The 4:1 design factor applies to normal operating conditions, with moderate mechanical and hydraulic shocks. A higher design factor should be taken into consideration for more severe operating conditions.
Use O-ring seals for higher-pressure systems. They prevent leakages and are more resistant to cracks.

2. Choose Your Hydraulic Hose Fitting Material

The hose fittings come in various materials with different properties. For easier reference, the table below is a summary of the materials commonly used for hose fittings.

Material	Advantages	Disadvantages
Plastic	Lightweight Corrosion-resistant	Low-temperature ductility Withstands low pressure Less durable
Aluminium (an alloy of zinc, copper, silicon, manganese, and/or other metals)	Lightweight Corrosion-resistant Withstands high pressure	Moderate temperature ductilit
Brass (an alloy of zinc and copper)	Corrosion-resistant	Moderately strong and durable Lower temperature ductility Withstands moderate pressure
Cast Iron	Strong and durable Abrasion-resistant	Withstands moderate pressure Moderate temperature ductility
Stainless steel	Strong and durable Corrosion-resistant Higher temperature ductility Withstands high pressure	Expensive
Steel (an alloy of iron and carbon)	Strong and durable Corrosion-resistant Higher temperature ductility Withstands high pressure

3. Choose Your Type of Hydraulic Hose Fittings

Permanent crimp fittings are the most common type of hose fittings. A crimping machine is needed to attach the hose to the fitting.
Field attachable fitting is another type to consider if you do not have a crimper. Do ensure that your hydraulic hose is compatible to have field attachable fitting.
Most hose fittings have a male (i.e. threads on the outside) and female (i.e. threads on the inside) component that join to form a connection. These connections are essential as they help contain and direct the flow of fluids in hydraulic hoses, which maintain pressure and prevent leaks in the hydraulic system. Depending on their shape, they can be categorised as plugs, unions, elbows or crosses.

4. Assemble Your Hydraulic Hose

Once you have defined your hydraulic hose specifications and chosen your hose fittings, the hose assembly technician will assemble the hydraulic hose through crimping, which is the most popular assembly method.
It is important to note that you should never mix a fitting from one manufacturer with another manufacturer’s hose. This could cause a failure or rupture at the crimp due to the incompatibility of both products.

Looking for Reliable, Leak-Free Hydraulic Hose Fittings?

Lian Ee Hydraulics is an established hose and tube fitting brand in Singapore for the past 30 years. We carry a large inventory of hydraulic hose and tube fittings for reliable leak-free connection solutions. Call us today at 6261 1611 for all your hydraulic needs.

Useful Functions of Flow Control Valves

What are flow control valves?

Flow control valves regulate the speed and pressure of a medium through a pipeline. There are many flow control valve designs, including ball, diaphragm, needle, butterfly, and plug designs. Flow control valves are used in the following applications:

• Pressure Reducing
• Pressure Relief/Sustaining
• Pump Control
• Rate-of-Flow Control
• Level Control
• Cavitation Control
• Surge Anticipation
• Electronic Control
• Metering

How do flow control valves work?

A simple flow control valve consists of an aperture that opens or closes to increase or slow down the flow rate, due to changes in pressure. The valves typically respond to signals by flow meters or temperature gauges. These are many types of options to control the flow in hydraulic circuits:

• Orifices
• Flow Regulators
• Bypass Flow Regulators
• Demand-Compensated Flow Controls
• Pressure-Compensated
• Variable Flow Valves
• Deceleration Valves

Functions of flow control valves

1. Controls the speed of the media flow: By controlling the medium’s speed, the flow control valve also controls the rate of energy transfer at any specific level of pressure. This regulates the flow rate pressure in any part of the hydraulic circuitry, which is critical to optimised system performance. Flow rate and energy transfer are related in that the actuator force multiplied by the distance through which it moves (stroke) equals the work done on the load. The energy transferred must also equal the work done. Actuator speed determines the rate of energy transfer (i.e., horsepower), and speed is thus a function of flow rate.

The valves also allow flow only in one direction, preventing the return flow of the medium.

2. Saves costs: Flow control valves are highly useful in the conservation of the medium. They offer a tight shut-off, which prevents leaks caused by high pressure. Flow control valves also only allow opening at a pre-set pressure.

This reduces the costs needed to replace damaged equipment.

3. Suitable for extreme conditions: Flow control valves are made of hardened material, which prevents rapid wear and tear. They are designed to cope with high flow rate working pressure and can be used for a variety of media. They also operate well under wide-ranging temperatures, so they are suitable for extreme conditions.

The quick opening and closing mechanisms are also highly useful during an emergency.

Tips for Flow Control Valves

1. Control valves should be more than half the pipe size. Normally the valves exclusively envisaged for shut-off service should be line size. Alternatively, they could be sized as control valves.

2. Select your flow control valve based on the design parameters of the application.

Lian Ee Hydraulics has been finding innovative answers to some of the world’s most challenging hydraulic connections for the past 30 years. We provide reliable flow control valves that are suited to all your needs. View them here.

2-Way VS 3-Way Valve: Which Is the Better Option?

Characteristics of 2-Way Valves and 3-Way Valves

A 2-way valve is any type of valve with two ports: an inlet and an outlet port, typically labelled A and AB respectively. With two ports, the valve passes the water in one direction only.

3-way valves have three ports, labelled A, B, and AB. With three ports, the 3-way valve passes the water in two directions.

These are two criteria to determine if you need a 2-way valve or a 3-way valve: water flow, and the type of valve operation you require.

Water Flow

Use a 2-way valve in a system with a variable water flow that experiences changes in flow, pressure, and temperature. 2-way valves allow operators to run heating and cooling systems at variable flow rates, increasing process efficiencies, and lowering their operating costs.

The 3-way valve is used in a system with constant water flow.

Valve Operation

2-way valves only have a simple On/Off operation. They can immediately stop fluid flow to a specific location and are essential components in many process safety systems.

3-way valves have two different operations: They can be used as mixing valves or diverting valves.

When used as a mixing valve, fluids of varying temperatures and pressures from ports A and B are mixed inside the valve body. The mixed fluid is transmitted out of port AB.

​When used as a diverting valve, the fluid can either flow from AB to B and vice versa, or AB to A and vice versa. The 3-way valves have an L-shaped or T-shaped bore, which affect the circuit function (flow direction). This can be seen in Figure 3. As a result, various circuit functions can be achieved such as distributing or mixing flows.



Figure 3: Example of a 3-way ball valve and the circuit functions for a T-bore and L-bore.

Advantages and Disadvantages of 2-Way and 3-Way Valves

Each type of valve has its pros and cons. The table below highlights the key advantages and disadvantages of 2-way valves and 3-way valves.

Advantages	Disadvantages
2-way valves	2-way valves
1. Cheaper to buy and install	1. Most chillers and some boilers cannot handle widely varying flow rates
2. Variable flow which reduces pumping energy and piping heat losses	2. Differential pressures increase across control valves, reducing system controllability
3. Reduced or eliminated system balancing	3. Can only be used for 1 purpose
4. Potentially lower costs for pumping and distribution systems
3-way valves	3-way valves
1. More cost-effective for diverting and mixing applications than using multiple 2-way valves	1. If used for mixing purposes, a 3-way valve can only be used at low differential pressures
2. Can be used for 2 purposes: mixing or diverting fluids

​ Lian Ee Hydraulics has been finding innovative answers to some of the world’s most challenging hydraulic connections for the past 30 years. We provide reliable 2-way and 3-way valves that are suited to all your needs. View them here.

4 Tips On How to Choose the Right Stainless Steel Valve

Valves are designed to hold back or resist pressure. It is crucial to select the right valve so as to prevent damage to the hydraulic system or injury to the workers. Below are some factors to consider when choosing the right stainless steel valve.

1. Environment and Type of Medium

The environment the hydraulic system is in affects the effectiveness of the stainless steel valves. Typically, stainless steel valves are more suitable for use in high temperatures and high humidity.

The type of medium will also have an effect on the valve. Carefully consider the internal temperature and pressure exerted by the medium so the valves can sufficiently withstand the medium.

Tip: The pressure you put through the valve cannot exceed the minimum allowable working pressure (MAWP). Ensure that the stainless steel valves’ MAWP is 10 percent greater than the maximum pressure that will be applied to it.

2. Type of Stainless Steel Ball Valves: 2-Way or 3-Way

Valves have different types of connections and sizes, with specific inlet and outlet points.

A 2-way valve is any type of valve with two ports: an inlet and an outlet port, typically labelled A and AB respectively. With two ports, the valve passes the water in one direction. They only have a simple On/Off operation.

3-way valves have three ports labelled A, B, and AB. With three ports, the 3-way valve passes the water in two directions. 3-way valves have two different operations: they can be used as mixing valves or diverting valves. When used as a mixing valve, fluids of varying temperatures and pressures from ports A and B are mixed inside the valve body. The mixed fluid is transmitted out of port AB. When used as a diverting valve, the fluid can either flow from AB to B and vice versa, or AB to A and vice versa.

Tip: Use a 2-way valve in a system with a variable water flow and use a 3-way valve in a system with a constant water flow.

3. Valve Size

The size of the valve plays a vital role in ensuring your hydraulic system runs smoothly. It is important to get the correct valve size or the valve will not fit. For example, if the valve is too small, it can throttle the flow of the media and even cause damage to the overall system. Time and money will be wasted to repair or replace the system.

Tip: The valve size typically correlates to your hydraulic system’s flow rate and capacity requirement. It is recommended for the valve to be as big as the inlet.

4. Reliability

Choosing the right hydraulics provider can make a world of difference to your hydraulic needs. A reliable hydraulics provider can supply high-quality materials and render the company ample support. With that, you can make the most out of your hydraulic materials, such as stainless steel valves.

Tip: Find a hydraulics provider who has at least a decade of experience in supplying hydraulic products. These established companies are typically more experienced and trusted in the industry.

Contact Us Today

Lian Ee Hydraulics has been finding innovative answers to some of the world’s most challenging hydraulic connections for the past 30 years. We provide reliable stainless steel valves that are suited to all your needs. View them here.