Cornerstone Blogs – Adamant Valves https://www.adamantvalves.com Sanitary Valves And Fittings, Sanitary Pumps Thu, 12 Jan 2023 07:36:26 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.18 https://www.adamantvalves.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/cropped-Valves-Logo-1-32x32.jpg Cornerstone Blogs – Adamant Valves https://www.adamantvalves.com 32 32 What is the Best 3 Way Sanitary Valve for Wine? https://www.adamantvalves.com/what-is-the-best-3-way-sanitary-valve-for-wine.html https://www.adamantvalves.com/what-is-the-best-3-way-sanitary-valve-for-wine.html#respond Fri, 30 Dec 2022 02:20:39 +0000 https://www.adamantvalves.com/?p=12129 Three-Way Sanitary Ball Valve has been chosen by an industry-leading wine producer to create its award-winning red wine blends. Wine blending has long been used as a way for producers to get creative in designing their own wine; with blends being defined as any wine made from more than one type of grape. For this wine, the […]

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Three-Way Sanitary Ball Valve has been chosen by an industry-leading wine producer to create its award-winning red wine blends. Wine blending has long been used as a way for producers to get creative in designing their own wine; with blends being defined as any wine made from more than one type of grape.

3 way sanitary valve for wine

For this wine, the process begins during the 4-week fermentation process where each tank of grapes is tasted twice a day. When this process comes to a close, samples are drawn from each tank and evaluated to decide if they are “blend worthy”.

Once the lots are selected, the wines are blended together in upright, 6,000-gallon oak crests. With these blends being drawn from as many as 30 different lots, it is critical to have the most reliable wine manufacturing process in place. For these reasons, the Three-Way Sanitary Ball Valve was chosen.

Sanitary Titanium 3-Way Electric Ball Valve

Adamant’s Three-Way Sanitary Ball Valves meet health and safety requirements for industries that require thorough cleanliness and the absence of contamination. This food-grade valve provides flow control for raw ingredients as well as finished products, making it ideal for the meticulous wine blending process. Adamant’s unique Three-Way Sanitary Ball Valve features a direct mount actuator pad and high cycle stem seal design, making it suitable for a wide range of process applications.

If you would like to learn more about Adamant’s Sanitary Valve options, please reach out to our sales team for assistance.

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The Ultimate Guide to Bio-Pharmaceutical Sanitary Valves https://www.adamantvalves.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-bio-pharmaceutical-sanitary-valves.html https://www.adamantvalves.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-bio-pharmaceutical-sanitary-valves.html#respond Fri, 23 Sep 2022 02:18:10 +0000 https://www.adamantvalves.com/?p=12034 Introducing Bio-Pharmaceutical Sanitary Valves Every industry has a demand for sanitary fittings, but the pharmaceutical industry takes the crown in this race. There is very little margin of error in this industry, as we are talking about medicines. Medicines that cure our headaches, medicines that save our life! As it is evident, the standard sanitary fittings aren’t […]

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Introducing Bio-Pharmaceutical Sanitary Valves

Every industry has a demand for sanitary fittings, but the pharmaceutical industry takes the crown in this race. There is very little margin of error in this industry, as we are talking about medicines. Medicines that cure our headaches, medicines that save our life! As it is evident, the standard sanitary fittings aren’t meant for manufacturing drugs. Hence, there is a need for biopharmaceutical sanitary valves, which we are going to discuss in this brief. Biopharmaceutical fittings (BPE) are a perfect solution to this problem.

ball valve

The Difference Between Sanitary Valves and Industrial Valves

On the face of it, there seems to be very little difference between biopharmaceutical fittings and 3A sanitary fittings. However, there are some critical differences in the styles of the two fittings that set them apart. The BPE fittings comply with the ASME-BPE standards. It is pertinent to mention it again that sanitary valves play a critical role in the production of pharmaceutical products. Therefore, it is natural that these vales feature high tolerance and clean interior surface finishes. This is in contrast to standard fittings. Furthermore, material requirements are a lot different than 3A sanitary standards. 3A standards are industrial valves that find plenty of uses in industries like food, beverage, and dairy.

 

What are the Main Types of Sanitary Valves?

Fun fact: It is possible to build sanitary valves with thousands of variations! However, for the sake of convenience, we can classify sanitary valves into three key types. This classification is made on the basis of their mechanical motions. These three classes are linear motion, rotary motion, and quarter-turn valves. Let us talk about them briefly in the following lines of this brief:

1.    Linear Motion Valves

These valves use a closing member. As they move in a straight line, they permit, stop or choke the medium’s flow. You might have come across some types of linear motion valves already. These include gate, diaphragm, pinch, lift check valves and globe valves.

2.     Rotary Motion Valves

In this type of sanitary valve, a valve closure member is used. It is this valve that permits motions on the cylindrical or angled paths. Some of the common types of rotary motion valves include ball, eccentric, swing check, and butterfly valves.

3.    Quarter Turn Valves

In essence, these are just like rotary motion valves. The key point to note here is that these valves require only a quarter-turn stem motion to switch their positions between fully open and fully closed.

An important that must be kept in mind is that a sanitary valve is defined by a set criterion. Unless these special sterile requirements are met, a valve cannot be deemed sanitary.

 

Let us talk a bit about the sanitary ball valves and butterfly valves in this space as well. Coming towards the sanitary ball valves first, well, they use a ball with a hole that is drilled through the middle swivel mounted to the valve body. The sanitary ball valves operate at their maximum when the ball is in line with the pipe. However, it is quite possible to rotate the hole in the ball away from the pipe’s direction. This chokes the flow rate. It is cut off completely once the hole is at 90 degrees in the pipe direction.

 

sanitary valves

Often, there is a question about the nature of the butterfly valvesDo they have a place in the sanitary club or not? The answer is, yes, of course, they are sanitary valves. They feature a single eccentric structure. Their soft seal is predominantly different from the middle section. Their characteristic features are compactness, lightweight and minimalistic composition.

 

Who Uses Sanitary Valves and Why?

Now, let us talk a bit about the end users of sanitary valves. Usually, biopharmaceutical sanitary valves are used by folks concerned with the pharmaceutical industry, biotechnological facilities, and certain other purity industries. What makes them suitable for use in these industries? Let us find that out in this section of the discussion!

 

In medical industries, contamination is the last word you would want to hear. We don’t need to build on why it is a taboo word there, right? Now to the real point, if there are services in the valves, then the chances of contamination increase by a significant factor. So ideally, valves that come without any services sound like a perfect pick for industries that we have mentioned in the earlier lines of this brief, right? Guess what? Sanitary valves come without any services! So that contamination problem is solved alright, what do you think?

 

Cleaning is cumbersome sometimes. When we are talking about mega industries like the pharmaceutical industry, then we need to pay more attention to streamlining the process. That’s where sanitary valves save the day. Because they are not stained easily, they are a super convenient option. Now you might not realize it at first, but the extensiveness of the process is directly proportional to the amount of cleaning that needs to be done afterward!

 

Sanitary valve manufacturers in USA are making gold as they are a perfect pick for anyone who is weary of polishing and smoothing valves all the time. Do you know who that is? Pharma boys! Rust is enemy number one in all such settings. It can complicate things to a great extent. Hence, sanitary valves are a perfect pick again because they are made of polished stainless steel.

 

Standards & Certification

ASME-BPE

ASME has a BPE committee that acts as a governing body for BPE standards. The ASME-BPE standard is concerned with all aspects of BPE fittings. These aspects include tolerances, interior surface finishes, product markings, composition, and packaging. BPE certification implies that ASME has conducted an audit of a company. Companies that hold ASME-BPE certification can proudly flaunt that they are meeting the required standards. Such audits are a must for compliance. Companies who undergo the said audits have permission to label their products with ASME certification marks.

 

One of the key requirements of ASME-BPE standards is that the BPE fittings must be consistent in terms of dimensions. It doesn’t matter who is producing them; the manufacturer becomes an irrelevant topic in this discussion. Then, these sanitary valves must also come with specific permanent markings on the outside of the fittings. These markings include heat number, material type, company, manufacturing country, surface finish, and the letters BPE inscribed on them.

An important question that arises here is: how is material verification performed in the case of BPE fittings? Well, it is done so by using a niton gun. Thanks to this clever invention, identifying a fitting in terms of its chemical composition is fairly easy. All that it takes is a single click! Performing this identification is extremely important since, without it, one cannot be sure about the materials that the end-users are getting.

Traceability

Traceability is one of the most important factors when we are talking about BPE fittings. It is absolutely essential that the chemical and mechanical make-up of the materials must meet the set criterion. Otherwise, the sanitary valves in question will not be given the due nod of approval. Here, talking about heat numbers is a must; they identify the manufacturing lot of the steel. Normally, heat numbers are marked on the outer side of the sanitary valves. Heat numbers must match up with the corresponding paperwork. This corresponding paperwork is dubbed Materials Test Reports. It serves as proof that the sanitary valves meet the specified standards.

MTR

Let us talk about Material Test Report (MTR) in this domain as well. It is an official piece of documentation from the mill; it specifies the mechanical and chemical properties of the steel. Its importance in material traceability and verification cannot be ignored. The MTR must be provided with every sanitary valve. Sanitary valve suppliers need to take care of these parameters.

Conclusion

So, that would be all from this brief. As it is evident from these lines, the biopharmaceutical sanitary valves have critical importance in medicine and related pharmaceutical industries. Precision and fine finishes are key parameters that distinguish them from their industrial counterparts. To ensure that nothing wrong has happened throughout the process, documentation and packaging have been given due weightage as well. It is these major points that allow users to trace back products to inception. Once the understanding is at the most perceptive level, users can easily pick the sanitary valve that is the requirement of the process.

Today, the industrial web is bigger than ever. It is getting more and more specific with every day passing. Biopharmaceutical industries needed something safer and more efficient to solve their quality woes and concerns. Sanitary valves are the answer, as it seems!

 

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The Beginner’s Guide to Check Valves https://www.adamantvalves.com/the-beginners-guide-to-check-valves.html https://www.adamantvalves.com/the-beginners-guide-to-check-valves.html#respond Fri, 08 Oct 2021 09:08:01 +0000 https://www.adamantvalves.com/?p=10993 Check valves have many vital applications in both residential and industrial settings.  A complete understanding of the different types of check valves and the applications for which they are suited is necessary for those who work in plumbing, HVAC installation and repair, machinists, auto mechanics, the DIY-minded homeowner, and many others. This guide will explain […]

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Check valves have many vital applications in both residential and industrial settings.  A complete understanding of the different types of check valves and the applications for which they are suited is necessary for those who work in plumbing, HVAC installation and repair, machinists, auto mechanics, the DIY-minded homeowner, and many others.

This guide will explain how check valves work, identify the different types of check valves, and describe some of their more common uses.

Understanding How Check Valves Work

There are many types of check valves, but they all work as backflow preventers. They are designed to allow gases and liquids to flow easily in one direction but not at all in the opposite direction.

What is a check valve?

Check valves, also known as non-return valves and one-way valves, are simple devices. They serve one purpose: to keep fluids and gases flowing in only one direction within a system. They are used in applications where backflow may lead to contamination or pressure buildup.

Check valves may be tiny, like those used in HVAC or refrigeration applications, or immense, like those used in water or fuel processing plants. Large or small, they all work in the same fundamental way.

How does a check valve work?

Check valves are remarkably simple and ingenious in their function. They require no input from a human or computer to get the job done, and they do not need any outside power source.

The one-way check valve uses a pressure differential to open and close the valve when necessary. When the pressure behind the valve is higher than the pressure in front of it (a condition known as the cracking pressure), the valve opens and permits the flow of the contained fluid in the chosen direction. When the pressure behind the valve lessens, the valve closes to prevent what has already passed through it from flowing backward in the wrong direction.

Sometimes, check valves are placed in a series along a pipe, each with a slightly lower cracking pressure. This not only adds extra layers of protection from backflow, but the differences in pressure required to open the valves ensure that the liquid continues to flow forward, even if the valves in the rear have already closed.

What is a check valve used for?

Check valves are used anywhere backflow prevention is required. They have a very wide range of applications.

They can be found in sewage plants, where already purified liquids must be kept from contact with those that have not been purified.

They can be found in almost every pump, whether for industrial or household use. Sump pumps or bilge pumps are prime examples. Both are used to remove unwanted water from closed spaces, sometimes against gravity. Without water check valves, the water would flow right back into the area that requires draining.

Plumbing check valves are used in homes and businesses to ensure that sewage does not flow back into drains and toilets. Swimming pool check valves are used to keep the water flowing through the pool filtering system, maintaining water cleanliness and safety for swimmers using the pool.

If there is liquid or gas flowing, there is likely to be a check valve somewhere in the system. On the outside of pipes or tubes that contain a check valve, you will find a symbol alerting you to its presence.

The symbol will have an arrow to let you know which way the medium contained in the pipe should be flowing. In some cases, the symbol will also let you know what type of check valve is at work there.

Check valve symbol (far left)

Check valve symbol (far left)

The difference between sanitary check valves and regular check valves

Sanitary check valves work in precisely the same way as regular check valves. They differ only in how they are manufactured and in the applications for which they are used.  As the name implies, sanitary check valves are used in applications that require high levels of sanitation, like pharmaceutical processing plants, dairies, and other food processing plants.

What is a sanitary check valve?

A sanitary check valve is manufactured in a way that makes it easy to clean and sterilize. All sanitary valves must be made to facilitate clean-in-place procedures, meaning they can be cleaned effectively without being disassembled or removed from the pipeline. It is made using only non-porous materials that can stand up to the rigors of regular heat or chemical sanitizing. Rough edges, cracks, and crevices are not permitted.

The Most Important Types of Check Valves

Check valves are a critical part of many systems. For some systems, the check valve is necessary to prevent a buildup of pressure within the system. This can be seen in their uses in the pipelines that carry oil or natural gas. Backflow in these long, sealed pipes could cause pressure to build up within them, damage seals and joints along the pipeline, and lead to an explosion.

In other cases, check valves are used to prevent contamination. This can be seen in their use in wastewater treatment plants and dairies. In these cases, the water or milk flowing through the pipes is purified as it travels along the pipe. Backflow would not only lead to pressure buildup but would bring clean media into contact with unsanitized media.

Check valves are used in pumps to prevent the return of liquids to areas that are being drained or emptied and in air conditioners to ensure that the coolant circulates completely.

Because there are so many uses for the check valve, there are a great many types available. Each of them is designed to meet specific needs depending on the type of media flowing through them and the amount of pressure under which the medium will be flowing.

These are the most common types of check valves.

Swing check valve

Swing check valves are one of the most basic types. They consist of a disk and a hinge. When the pressure behind the disk builds up, the disk swings open on the hinge and allows liquid to flow through. When the pressure drops, the disk swings closed again. Swing check valves are used in many places, including sewage systems, water treatment plants, and household plumbing. The most familiar swing check valve is the one found in every toilet to allow the tank to fill without overfilling.

Piston check valve

Piston check valves, or lift valves, consisting of a disk that is fitted into grooves in the pipe and, sometimes, a spring. When pressure builds up under the disk, it is forced upward, coiling the spring. When the pressure drops, the spring uncoils, and the disk rapidly falls into place to create a seal again. These types of valves are used in many processing plants and to control the flow of cooling water in nuclear power plants.

Lift check valve

Lift check valve is simply another name for the piston check valve.

Ball check valve

Very similar in use to piston check valves, ball check valves consist of a weighted ball that sits in the valve to create a seal. When the pressure builds, the ball is lifted, and liquids can pass through the valve. When the pressure drops, the ball drops back into its spot, recreating a seal. It is used in many of the same applications as the piston valve, but it is better suited to thicker, heavier liquids.

Butterfly check valve

Butterfly check valves consist of two flaps positioned to revolve around a central hinge. When pressure is applied, these flaps rotate on the hinge to open; when the pressure is relieved, they rotate back. They are frequently found in home applications, like heaters and air conditioners, because they open and close quietly.

Dual plate check valve

As the name implies, dual plate check valves, also known as silent check valves, use two plates instead of one to prevent backflow. They consist of two plates mounted on a central hinge and a spring. When pressure is applied, the disks are forced open, and because of the springs, they close as soon as the pressure is reduced, without having to wait for backflow pressure to force them closed. Because pressure is not required to close these valves, they are often used for gases.

Stop check valve

Stop check valves are similar to piston or ball check valves except that they can be controlled. These flow check valves can be forced to open or close regardless of the pressure differential. Safe for use as fuel line check valves, these are often installed as safety measures at gas stations, and in oil rigs and fuel pipelines.

Tilting disk check valve

Tilting disk check valves consist of a disk that is mounted to a central pivot point. When pressure is applied, the disk pivots to open, allowing the medium to flow through freely. These types of full flow check valves are used most often with dry substances, like grains or animal feed, or for airflow regulation. They do not usually create a tight seal, so they are not recommended for applications where contamination is a potential problem.

Vacuum check valves

Vacuum check valves work in an opposite fashion to most check valves. Instead of opening to allow the flow of liquids or gases, this type of valve is used to suction air or liquids out of a closed system. They are largely used as part of the braking system for vehicles.

How to Choose the Right Check Valve for Your Application

Choosing the right check valve may seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Remember that each type of valve was created to suit a specific need. All you need is to understand what your check valve is required to do and for what medium you need inline check valve backflow prevention, and you narrow your choices significantly.

Choosing the Best Check Valve for You

Example of pool check valves in use

Example of pool check valves in use

Choosing the best type of check valve for you starts with knowing what you hope to accomplish by installing it. If you need to better regulate the flow of water to your pool filter, you will want a type that will work as a pool check valve. It must work with water but does not need to create a complete seal. A swing check valve may be your best choice in this case.

If you are in need of a sewer check valve, then you need one that does create a complete seal and does not need to be replaced very often. In this case, a ball or piston check valve may work best.

If you are handy with car repairs and are looking to fix or replace the braking system on your vehicle, then a vacuum check valve is what you need. If you have an air conditioner to repair,  then an air compressor check valve should be on your shopping list.

Check Valve Replacement Cost

How much a replacement check valve costs depends on many factors. The size and type play a part as do the materials used in its construction.

How often should a check valve be replaced?

How often a check valve should be replaced is determined by how much wear and tear it receives. A check valve that faces a lot of pressure on a regular basis, such as those found in oil drilling operations, will wear out a great deal more quickly than those that face only weak pressure differentials.

Check valves that have a lot of debris passing through them will likely wear out faster than those stopping the backflow of clean water or air. Also, sanitary check valves will need to be replaced more often due to the damage done by frequent sanitation.

How much does it cost to replace a check valve?

The cost of replacing a check valve also varies a great deal. Replacing a PVC check valve will cost substantially less than replacing a brass check valve. A tiny check valve with micro-resistance designed to stop the backflow of coolant in a refrigerator will cost a lot less than one used in a massive bilge pump on a luxury liner.

The most important factors to consider when looking at the cost of your replacement check valve are whether it will accomplish the task for which you need it and whether the materials of which it is made will stand up to the rigors of the task for which it has been selected. A less expensive check valve that you have to replace in a few years may not be as cost-effective as a more expensive one that will last substantially longer.

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Your Complete Guide to Ball Valves https://www.adamantvalves.com/your-complete-guide-to-ball-valves.html https://www.adamantvalves.com/your-complete-guide-to-ball-valves.html#respond Fri, 08 Oct 2021 03:48:31 +0000 https://www.adamantvalves.com/?p=10986 Like most mechanical parts that keep our lives running smoothly, most people don’t know what a ball valve is until they run into a problem with one. But ball valves are quietly and efficiently doing their job in almost every aspect of American life. Ball valves are used in manufacturing, the food industry, health care […]

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Like most mechanical parts that keep our lives running smoothly, most people don’t know what a ball valve is until they run into a problem with one. But ball valves are quietly and efficiently doing their job in almost every aspect of American life.

Actuation method of ball valves

Actuation method of ball valves

Ball valves are used in manufacturing, the food industry, health care operations, and many appliances found in homes. These valves are used to keep liquids and gases flowing in the right direction, many without the need for sophisticated technology.

This guide will provide detailed information about a variety of ball valves and their uses, including how they work and what purposes they serve.

What Is a Ball Valve?

Ball Valve Diagram

Ball Valve Diagram

A ball valve is a type of shut-off valve. It consists of a ball that has had a borehole drilled through the center and a handle. You use the handle to rotate the ball up to 90 degrees, which allows liquid or gas to flow through the borehole. When the valve is in the closed position, the solid part of the ball effectively creates a seal, keeping whatever is in the pipe trapped behind it.

Versatile and long-lasting ball valves can be made of many different materials and come in a variety of sizes. Their simple design means that you can easily have them custom-fitted. The main limiting factor for a ball valve is the specific application you need it for. A PVC ball valve may work just fine for low pressure and low-temperature applications, but you may need a stainless steel ball valve to stop the flow of materials that are at high temperatures or under a great deal of pressure.

Not all ball valves are manually operated. Some, like the electric ball valve, open and close when electrical current is passed through them. These motorized ball valves are used in high-pressure applications where the ball valve is open and closed frequently and continuously.

How does a ball valve work?

The basic concept of a ball valve is simple. A ball that matches the shape and size of the pipe is fitted into the valve. This ball has a bore hole that runs through its core and a handle or gear that moves it on its axis.

In the closed position, the solid part of the ball seals the valve shut. When rotated, the contents of the pipe flow through the valve until it is returned to its closed position. At a 90-degree rotation, the entire borehole is exposed, allowing for the full flow of the pipe’s contents. The flow can be controlled by partially rotating the ball valve handle.

Ball check valves work on the same principles as other ball valves except that they have a means, usually a flap or disk, of preventing backflow. This type of ball valve shuts off flow when the pressure decreases. When opened, the pressure of the medium flowing through the pipe pushes the disk or flap out of the way. When the pressure flowing forward decreases, the flap or disk falls back into place to keep the contents of the pipe from flowing backward. This happens regardless of whether the ball valve is open or closed.

What does a ball valve do?

A ball valve is a shut off valve. It is used to start and stop the flow of liquids or gases through a pipe or other confined space. Water ball valves can be found in almost any home or business with running water.

Do ball valves control pressure?

You can use ball valves to control the pressure in a pipeline or other confined space. By only opening the ball valve partially, you can control how much of the pipe’s contents flow through it. If you open it slightly, the amount flowing will be small and move at lower pressure. If you open the valve fully, both the flow and the pressure will be higher.

Traditional sink taps use ball valves to control the flow of water. By adjusting the taps, you move a ball valve and control how much water comes out of the tap.

Your Quick Guide to Ball Valve Markings

Ball valve markings are labels or tags placed on the pipe that houses the valve. They provide vital information for anyone who needs to perform maintenance on the valve or the pipe that contains it.

The coded information on these labels or tags tells you many things, including information about the valve itself, the type of medium flowing through it, the pressure that contents are likely to be under, the temperature of the medium, and whether or not the contents are flammable or in another way dangerous.

This labeling system, set by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), is vital to the health and safety of those working on the pipes. It also ensures that those who do the work are prepared with the correct gear and tools before the job begins.

ANSI is one of the three organizations that regulate the labeling, use, and maintenance standards for ball valves.

  • ANSI. This organization is responsible for setting voluntary safety standards for many industries in the United States, including the manufacture and use of ball valves. They created the labeling standards for valves and work to ensure that these standards are met.
  • Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC). Set by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), this code was created to ensure the safety of both plumbers and consumers through a consistent and regulated code of conduct. The UPC includes the requirements that pipe and valve labels follow the ANSI standards.
  • Underwriters Laboratories (UL). This is a global nonprofit organization devoted to promoting safe practices in industries around the world. In addition, this organization is responsible for testing the proper functioning of many of the mechanical parts, including ball valves, that all industries rely on to function.

Common ball valve sizes

Although ball valves can be custom made to fit any application, there are standard sizes designed to fit most needs. The most commonly used sizes are:

  • 2 inch ball valve
  • 1 inch ball valve
  • ¾ ball valve
  • ½ ball valve
  • ⅜ ball valve
  • ¼ ball valve

Each of these sizes serves a specific purpose, from bathroom sinks to garden hoses to boiler steam pipes. The size of the ball valve should be listed in the valve label or tag.

There are some other important pieces of information that you can find on valve labels.

PN: Pressure Nominal Classes

The PN Class number lets you know how much pressure the valve is designed to withstand. The PN is designated by bars, with each bar representing 14.5038 pounds of pressure. This means that a valve label with 3 bars would indicate that the underlying valve could withstand pressures of up to 43.5114 pounds.

PSI Rating

PSI stands for pounds per square inch and is a standard measurement for pressure in any circumstance. When listed on a valve tag or label, it indicates the pressure of the liquid or gas that is flowing through the pipe. The higher the PSI rating, the more durable the ball valve must be to withstand the force applied against it.

What does CWP mean on a ball valve?

CWP stands for cold working pressure. This value on a valve label or tag is used to indicate the maximum pressure the valve can withstand at temperatures between –20 degrees and 100 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature range is considered to be the cold range. For example, a 680 CWP would mean that the labeled valve can withstand 680 PSI at temperatures within the cold range.

This means that you can count on a ball valve with a high CWP to perform well at the lower temperatures found in dairies, food processing plants, and anywhere else that cold media is traveling through the valve.

What does SWP mean on a ball valve?

SWP stands for steam working pressure. It may also be labeled WSP for working steam pressure. Either way, it means the same thing. It indicates the pressure the valve will continue to function at even in the highest temperature range.

Ball valves with a high SWP are essential for pipes that carry steam, lubricants for engines, and hydraulic systems where friction may heat the oil. They have many industrial uses.

The 10 Most Important Types of Ball Valves

Ball valves are simple to repair and replace, long lasting, and highly effective. Because of these advantages, we use them in almost every home, business, and manufacturing plant. Anywhere you find pipes, you will find ball valves controlling the flow of the medium inside of them.

How many types of ball valves are there?

Over time, many types of ball valves have been developed to meet specific needs. In the following list, you will find the 10 most important types of ball valves and some of their common uses.

V-Port Ball valve Diagram

V-Port Ball valve Diagram

1. Sanitary Ball Valve

These valves are designed for use in the food industry, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and anywhere that sterilization is required. They come in many different configurations and sizes and may be manual, mechanical, or electric actuated ball valves. They all share the ability to be sterilized by heat or chemicals, and they have smooth, polished surfaces to prevent the build-up of debris.

2. V-Port Ball Valves

Unlike most ball valves, the V-port ball valve does not have a ball with a bore hole but rather a floating ball that is compressed when the valve is open. When the valve is closed, the ball expands and blocks both the in and out ports of the valve. This feature creates a tighter seal.

3. Full Port Ball Valve

A full port ball valve has a borehole with the same diameter as the pipe leading to the valve. When fully opened, this type of ball valve allows for the free flow of the pipe’s contents without bottlenecking in the valves. These valves are most often found in situations where the medium in the pipes must flow at a steady pace or when high-pressure ball valves are used.

4. Multi-Port Ball Valve

These valves may be 3-way ball valves or have more connectors that allow the flow of the medium to be diverted in different directions as needed. They can be made so that the flow travels in only one direction at a time or designed so that multiple connectors can be opened simultaneously.

5. Standard Port Ball Valve

The bore holes on standard port ball valves have a smaller diameter than the pipes leading into them. They are usually less expensive and more durable than full bore ball valves, but they will restrict the flow of the pipe’s contents even when they are fully opened.

6. Reduced Port Ball Valve

Reduced port ball valve is another name for the standard port ball valve, which is explained in number 5.

7. True Union Ball Valve

These ball valves have double unions with the pipes that contain them. The unions can be sealed at either end of the valve, which allows you to completely remove them for repair or replacement.

8. Manually Operated Ball Valve

Many different configurations of ball valves may fall into this category. As the name implies, you manually control these valves using a handle mounted outside of the pipe.

9. Electric Ball Valves

Electric ball valves are opened and closed by an electrical current instead of a handle.

10. Motorized Ball Valves

These valves are electric ball valves. They use an electrically powered motor mounted over the valve that opens and closes it as needed. Motorized ball valves are commonly found in automated factories and manufacturing plants.

Conclusion — Who Makes Quality Ball Valves?

Regardless of the application, your best chance of long-term success is to get your valves from a respected and reliable source. There are many ball valve manufacturers, but few offer the quality, variety, and customer satisfaction levels of Adamant Valves.

Since 2002, Adamant Valves has been working to improve ball valve design, manufacturing, and materials to create reliable, long-lasting, and economical choices. Adamant Valves manufactures a large range of sizes and can supply you with a custom fit if a standard size does not work. Adamant Valves has quickly gained a reputation for high-quality valves delivered quickly and has become a leading supplier of valves to food manufacturing and distribution plants, cosmetics manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, and many other industries.

To find out how Adamant Valves can meet your ball valve needs, contact us today.‌

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