Segmented Ball Valve vs Standard Ball Valve for Flow Control
Often when it comes to controlling the flow of a pipeline, globe valves are considered the industry standard. However, for large flow and quick reaction time with greater economy, ball valves can also be considered.
Ball valves are favored for their large flow capacity, low pressure drops across the valve body, quick-acting quarter-turn operation, and their lower cost compared to globe valves. Valmatic Ball Valves are available with a wide range of options for seats to fit specific customer applications such as metal seat, high temperature metal seat and soft metal seat.
However, when it comes to precise flow control, a standard ball valve is unable to reach the precision for flow control as that of a globe valve. Ball valve shaft rotations are not proportional to the flow and are especially hard to obtain precise adjustments when near the “open” and “close” states. Instead, ball valves are best used for opening and closing (shut-off operations). When it comes to throttling (flow control operations), the partially exposed soft seat of the valve may erode, requiring the seat to be replaced, adding to maintenance cost and operation downtime.
With precise flow control in mind, Valmatic’s Segmented Ball Valve is designed with a V-notch segmented ball which allows for equal flow percentage characteristics similar to that of a globe valve while being compact, lightweight and being more economically efficient. For precise small flow control, different segment designs of various Cv values (Valve Flow Coefficient, valve flow capacity) are available.
Our V-notch segmented ball design also provides a strong cutting force and self-cleaning action making it especially useful to be applied in media with viscous or abrasive media such as fibre, slurry and grime.
The V-notch segmented ball design also has a smaller ball to body contact area when compared with a standard ball valve, reducing surface engagement and friction. By requiring less operating torque, smaller actuators can be used, further reducing cost.
Valmatic’s Segmented Ball Valve is also designed with a splined stem. The spline stem design reinforces the top and bottom of the V-notch Ball which provides efficient torque transfer and low hysteresis (“lag” in a mechanism).
VALMATIC Segmented Ball Valves also come with a spring-loaded seat design which allows good seating performance with the ball and seat even at low differential pressures. Removable seat design allows for quick and simple seat replacement without dismantling the whole valve, unlike standard ball valves.
Still considering what valve to use to control your pipeline? Contact Valmatic to determine the most suitable valve for your flow control applications.
* High temperature configurations and PTFE seats are available according to specific user application requirements.
** Retainer ring assembly available for high temperature configurations.
*** Actuators and other accessories sold separately, available upon request and assembled before shipping.