Ball valves control fluid flow using a rotating ball with a central bore. Their 90° operation enables quick shutoff, regulation, or flow direction changes.

This article compares two key designs:

·   O-Type: Full-bore, low-resistance, bidirectional sealing.

·   V-Type: V-notch for precise throttling and particle shearing.

Learn their structures, advantages, and how to select the right valve for your system.

Ball Valve Structure Overview

Ball valves consist of a rotating spherical disc (ball) with a central bore, which turns 90° to open or close the flow. Key components include:

·         Valve body

·         Ball (with O-type or V-type bore)

·         Seat rings

·         Stem and actuator

Ball valves  are used for shutoff, flow distribution, regulation, and flow direction control. The seat design varies based on application requirements.

O-Type Ball Valve

Structure:

·         The ball has a full-bore circular hole matching the pipe diameter.

·         Sealing is achieved via elastic rings (e.g., PTFE) on both sides of the ball.

·         Floating or fixed design with low-friction materials for smooth operation.

Advantages:

1.      Minimal Flow Resistance

o    Full-bore design offers near-zero pressure drop, equivalent to straight pipe flow.

o    Ideal for systems requiring low energy loss.

2.      Quick Operation

o    90° rotation enables fast open/close action.

3.      Excellent Sealing

o    PTFE seats provide tight shutoff, even with minor surface imperfections.

4.      Long Service Life

o    PTFE’s self-lubricating properties reduce wear on the ball and seat.

5.      High Reliability

o    No risk of galling between ball and seat.

o    Anti-static/fire-safe designs available for oil/gas pipelines.

Applications:

·         On/off control (not for throttling).

·         Bidirectional flow.

·         Media with suspended solids (self-cleaning design).

V-Type Ball Valve

Structure:

·         The ball has a V-shaped notch (partial 1/4 sphere).

·         Single-seat design (usually unidirectional).

·         Sharp V-edge cuts through fibrous/solid particles.

Advantages:

1.      Superior Flow Control

o    Linear or near-linear flow characteristics (adjustable via V-angle).

o    Wide turndown ratio (high precision in regulation).

2.      Shearing Action

o    V-notch slices fibers/solids, preventing clogging.

3.      Tight Shutoff

o    Wedge effect enhances sealing under pressure.

4.      Low Torque Operation

o    Double-bearing design reduces friction.

Applications:

·         Throttling fibrous/slurry media (e.g., pulp, wastewater).

·         Precise flow control (paired with actuators/positioners).

·         Unidirectional systems.

Key Differences Summary

Selection Guidelines

·         Choose O-Type for:

o    Full-flow, low-loss systems (e.g., oil/gas pipelines).

o    Bidirectional sealing.

o    Quick shutoff.

·         Choose V-Type for:

o    Fibrous/viscous media (e.g., paper pulp, sewage).

o    Adjustable flow control (e.g., chemical dosing).

o    Applications requiring shearing action.

For high-pressure throttling, V-type valves outperform O-type due to their structural stability and sealing robustness. Both types are not ideal for high-temperature steam unless specially designed with metal seats.

About AJL Machining:

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