Benefits of Sanitary Ball Valves
Sanitary ball valves are among those common sanitary valves available in the market. In simple words, it works by taking a quarter turn to regulate the water flow. This valve consists of a spherical disc and that is why it is usually known as a ball valve. It has a ball-like structure with a hole in the center. When this hole and both the ends of the valve are in the same line, it allows the liquid to flow.
On the contrary, when we do not want the liquid to pass through the valve, we change the position of the sphere at a right angle to the passageway. Sanitary ball valves are particularly useful when we wish to completely shut off the flow of liquid. Shut off valve installed in your main line is just an example of this situation. As a result, these valves are ideal for applications where a fully closed or fully open arrangement is necessary. However, one should not opt for these valves if the application requires fine-tuning of the water flow.
Check valve, gate valve, globe valve, air relief valve, butterfly valve are some examples of other types of sanitary valves. Now, an important question here is why one should go for a sanitary ball valve when there are so many other types of valves to choose from. The answer is that this valve has a number of benefits over others. The life span of these valves is longer and they are more cost-effective due to the simple and strong structure they have.
Ball valves work very well even in conditions of high pressure, high volume, and high temperature. More attractively, the operation and maintenance of these devices are quite easy. Many companies offer some additional facilities as well. For example, you can get a ball valve with the ability to check the unintended operation of the valve. To get an idea of which way the water is moving, you may ask for directional nameplates.
When making a buying decision, pay as much attention as possible to the trouble-free and safe operation. That is why the total system design should be considered so that no problem occurs in the future. If you need one for a specific purpose then choose a special or custom valve instead of a ready-made valve. Some of the points to keep in mind are low operating torque, maximum flow design, panel mounting, two or three-way flow models, leak-tight seals in extreme pressure conditions, and availability of electric and pneumatic actuators.
Manufacturers of sanitary ball valves use different materials according to the requirement of the application. Some of the examples include brass, carbon steel, stainless steel, and dome special alloys besides alloy 400. Temperature adjustment capacity ranges between 65 degrees and 850 degrees Fahrenheit. Some products are available with a working pressure of up to fifteen thousand psig. Similarly, the flow coefficient can go up to 130. However, if you feel that products available in the market are not able to meet your specific needs, contact the supplier and discuss with them to check their ability of customization. Remember, be professional and order in bulk.