Ball valve introdiction

A ball valve is a type of valve which uses a hollow, spherical body (the ball) to control flow through it. The ball can be rotated (either manually or with an actuator) to change the flow of the fluid.

Ball valves are used in many applications, including water supply and natural gas systems, as well as in industrial processes. They offer several advantages over other types of valves, such as low flow resistance when the valve is fully open, and a relatively small size for the flow rate they can handle.

The distinctive feature of a ball valve is the use of a ball to control the flow of fluid. The ball has a hole (or holes) drilled through it, so that when the ball is aligned with the valve's inlet and outlet ports, fluid can flow straight through the valve. When the ball is rotated 90 degrees, it blocks the flow of fluid.

Ball valves are available in a variety of sizes, from very small (such as those used in medical devices or laboratory equipment) up to large sizes suitable for use in industrial processes such as power generation. They can be used with a wide range of fluids, including gases, liquids, slurries, and powders.

Ball valves may be manually operated, but they are often automated, especially in larger sizes. Automated valves may be powered by electricity, pneumatics, hydraulics, or other means.

The ball valve was invented in 1885 by William D. Banning. It is still widely used today, although many modern applications now use more advanced types of valve such as gate valves, globe valves, and butterfly valves. Despite this, ball valves are still commonly used in certain applications where their characteristics are advantageous.