3 Way Ball Valve

3 Way Ball Valve

※ Size Range: 2″-8″
※ Class Range: 150LB-2500LB
※ Fire Safe Design
※ Anti Static
※ Anti blow-out
※ 3 Way Ball Valve Manufacturer

Introduction

A 3-way Ball Valve belongs to the family of basic ball valves but this valve has a little design difference compared to a simple ball valve. They can be used for applications where more than one media is used in the system. 3-way Ball Valve manufacturers developed these valves so that they can be used in the form of diverting valves, mixing valves, or isolation valve according to the requirement of the system and so the piping system can also be attached accordingly.

3-Way ball valves are very useful to simplify the task where a complex valve system or multiple valves are to be used in a pipeline. With the help of a 3-way ball valve, one can save so much space, time, labour, and material that will otherwise be wasted if you use multiple 2-way valves to accomplish a similar task.

In this article, we will learn more about how these valves function and their work principle, how they differ from 2-way ball valves, and their types & applications.


What is a 3 Way Ball Valve?

3-way ball valves are the most common multiport valves among the others. They work in a way where either one inlet and two outlets or two inlets and one outlet that is like a diverter or a mixer valve.

3-way ball valves are widely used because they provide a cost-effective and simple solution to manage both cut-off and flow patterns from a single valve body.

The flow via a three-way valve is controlled by adjusting how the pipe is lined up, how the valve ball turns the handle, and how the valve ball flows through the ball.

Depending on the process needs, a 3-way ball valve can service or regulate the flow in a variety of ways, which can be accomplished with the correct valve type and design. The following are some of the requirements that a 3-way ball valve can meet:

  • Completely stop the flow.
  • Combine two fluids from two separate sources.
  • Flow may be redirected from one destination to another.
  • Flow can be directed to two separate destinations from a single input.
  • It has the ability to restrict one outlet while permitting flow in the other direction.

A three-way ball valve’s function is defined by a single, but critical, internal design distinction. The flow pattern or contour of the port via the ball within the valve is a crucial design distinction. The flow patterned valve balls on most three-way ball valves are drilled as a capital L, which has two flow paths, or a capital T, which has three flow paths.


Construction: 3 Way Ball Valve

Instead of having only two ports (entries), the 3-way ball valve has three. This multiport system may divert fluid from the primary valve input to two distinct directions (rather than just one) via two independent valve exits. The primary flow line is served by two separate and alternative inlets, which is another common usage of the 3-way ball valve.

three way ball valve manufacturer

A 3-way ball valve’s ball can be configured in either an L or a T configuration. These exact types of ball valves are also available in a floating or trunnion design, with either a flanged, socket, or threaded valve end, and a variety of polymers, metals, alloys, and stainless-steel materials.

Construction of L and T types of 3-way ball valves differ in the flow path of the ball. When the ball is drilled to make a flow path in the shape of the capital letter L then it is called an L-type 3-way ball valve and when the ball is drilled in the shape of the capital letter T then it is called a T-type 3-way valve.


Working: 3 Way Ball Valve.

By rotating the handle or actuator to 90 degrees, the L-pattern type or diverter valve shifts the flow from one port to the other. Assume that the bottom port and the left port open the first position. The media flow is diverted to the right outlet after a quarter rotation in the counter-clockwise direction. The passage of media is blocked by a quarter turn in the opposite direction, permitting a complete rotation of 180 degrees. A 270-degree turn will restrict media travel as well. A complete 360-degree rotation, on the other hand, allows the valve to return to its original position. Two of the three ports are, in a sense, available at the same time. As a result, the valve can have two shut-off positions and three flow options.

Because the media of two intake flows can be combined inside the T-pattern, it is called a mixer valve.   In a view, all three ports can be opened together. The T-pattern ball valve will also function as a diverter, allowing it to function similarly to the L-type valve. With a quarter-turn of the handle, it was possible. T-patterns can’t have a bubble-tight shut-off, but they can limit flow to two ports or make it easier to pass through all three.

The T-pattern ball valve acts as a mixer, separating the media into two opposing directions. Its design, like the two-way ball valve, allows the T-pattern to divide the flow or simply produce a straight-through flow pattern. For the vertically installed T-pattern ball valve, the normal port is still open. Turning it a quarter turn is the only method to deflect the flow. The media flow will not be disrupted by a 180-degree turn.


Classification: 3 Way Ball Valve.

A 3-way Valve is classified in a few different ways.

Based on the type of ball support.

  • Floating ball 3 way ball valve
  • Trunnion ball 3 way ball valve

Based on the body construction method.

  • Casting 3 way ball valve
  • Forging 3 way ball valve

Based on the type of operation.

  • Manually operated 3 way ball valve
  • Automatic Actuated 3 way ball valve


Special Feature: 3 Way Ball Valve.

  1. Because it opens and shuts without friction, it requires less force to operate.
  2. It has a wedge sealing surface, which means the valve leverages the force produced by the stem to drive the ball against the seal, ensuring a positive seal regardless of the pipeline’s differential pressure.
  3. The advantage of on-line valve maintenance is that it saves time and money.

Advantages: 3 Way Ball Valve.

  1. It has a basic construction, a compact design, a small volume, and is lightweight.
  2. Fluid traveling via the valve encounters little resistance.
  3. The valve’s sealing is excellent, and it’s also used in vacuum systems.
  4. It’s easy to maintain and saves time.
  5. It comes in a variety of sizes, allowing for a wider choice of applications.

Application: 3 Way Ball Valve.

These valves can be used in multiple ways in industries such as Petrochemicals, Food processing, Petroleum, Power Plants, and can be useful for domestic purposes also.

The multiple ways that they can be used are:

  • They can combine/mix two different sources to be delivered to a third destination.
  • They can divert the flow from a single source to be diverted to two different destinations.
  • Flow can be altered from two different sources.
  • Alter the flow between two different destinations.

Selection Guide: 3 Way Ball Valve.

Whenever you are selecting a 3-way ball valve always keep these points in mind and always convey all your requirements to a 3-way ball valve manufacturers or suppliers.

  • Determine the fluid that will be utilised in the system; this will help you select the appropriate and equivalent valve seal.
  • Determine the system’s pressure rating and where the valve will be installed.
  • Be aware of the system’s normal operating temperature.
  • Determine if the valve can be connected to the pipe by looking at the connection type.
  • L-Port valves can only guide the flow-through 90 degrees or completely shut it off.
  • T-Port valves can guide the flow in whatever direction you desire, but they can’t stop it totally.
  • Servicing is significantly easier with a valve that has unions or flanges on each of the ports.
  • The position of the cut-out ball inside the valve is depicted by the arrow graphic on the handle’s top.
  • The dynamic head of the two mixing streams should be constant when utilizing a T-Port valve to mix flows.
  • The valve body material must be compatible with current process lines and suitable for the process temperature and pressure.
  • Determine the valve’s working mechanism and if it can be integrated into the existing system.

3 Way Ball Valve vs 2 Way Ball Valve.

  1. The components of 3-way valves are the same as those of 2-way valves. The usage of an extra port distinguishes it from a standard 2-way valve.
  2. These valves can be used to either divert or combine fluids from two inlets into a single exit. Fluids from intake ports are mixed within the valve body and then transmitted via the exit port when utilised as a mixing valve. But a 2-way valve can only be utilised for on/off applications and occasionally for variable flow systems with pressure, temperature, and flow changes.
  3. Diverting and mixing activities are substantially more cost-effective with 3-way valves than with several 2-way valves.
  4. 3-way valves are ideal for heating and cooling diverse media such as water, oils, and chemicals because they can combine fluids from several inlets.
  5. In both main and secondary loop applications, these valves are frequently utilised as bypass valves.
  6. Pneumatic or electrical actuators can operate 3-way valve assemblies, much as 2-way valves.
  7. Three-way valves, like two-way valves, can be utilised in the same process industries as stated above.

Summary

Ball valves are among the most versatile industrial valves available and we as 3-way ball valve manufacturers can provide some of the best valves. If you’d like to learn more about these valves and how they may benefit your company, contact us. You can also comment and share your opinion about our products here with us.