Flanged Ball Valve Floating Type API 6D

Introduction of Titanium Floating Ball Valve:

A titanium floating ball valve is a type of industrial valve designed for controlling the flow of fluids (liquids or gases) in various applications where titanium's unique properties are advantageous.The floating ball valve is typically recommended for lower pressure classes, ranging from Class 150-300 up to 20-50 bar, and for small sizes under high pressures, such as ½ inch sizes in Class 2500, which can handle pressures up to 430 bar. One of its key advantages lies in its favorable quality-to-price ratio. Compared to trunnion-mounted ball valves of the same size and class, floating ball valves are generally more economical.

Material and Construction:

Titanium Body and Bonnet: Titanium alloys, such as Grade 2 (Ti-2), Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V), or other suitable grades depending on the application requirements.

Floating Ball Design: The ball in the valve is free to move within the valve body, aided by seals and seats to ensure tight shut-off and minimize leakage.

Ball and Stem Materials: Often made from titanium or titanium alloys, ensuring compatibility and corrosion resistance throughout the valve assembly.

Standards:

Design and Manufacture: API 6D (specifies requirements and guidelines for the design, manufacturing, and testing of ball valves)

Face to Face Dimension: ASME B16.10 (standardizes the distance between end flanges for valves)

Butt Welded Ends: ASME B16.25 (standardizes the dimensions and tolerances of butt welding ends)

Test and Inspection: API 598 (sets the requirements for valve inspection and testing procedures to ensure product integrity)

Advantages of Floating Titanium Ball Valves:

Low Flow Resistance: These valves offer minimal fluid resistance, making them one of the most efficient types of valves in terms of flow dynamics. Even reduced bore versions have very low resistance.

Quick and Easy Operation: The valve can be fully opened or closed with a simple 90-degree rotation of the handle or actuator, enabling rapid and straightforward operation.

Excellent Sealing Performance: The valve seat, typically made from elastic materials such as PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), ensures a reliable seal. The sealing effectiveness improves with increasing medium pressure.

Automation and Remote Control: Floating titanium ball valves can be equipped with various actuating devices such as electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic actuators, allowing for automated and remote control capabilities.

Smooth Passage: The internal passage of the valve is smooth and unobstructed, reducing the likelihood of medium deposition and facilitating cleaning operations like pigging.

Common Connection Methods of Titanium Ball Valves:

Flange Connection: Flange connection is one of the most common methods, suitable for medium to high-pressure piping systems. It connects the valve and pipeline using flanges and bolts, providing good sealing and reliability, as well as easy disassembly and maintenance.

Threaded Connection: Threaded connection is suitable for small diameter, low-pressure piping systems. Common thread types include internal threads (NPT, BSP) and external threads. This method is simple and easy to use but not suitable for frequent disassembly.

Welded Connection: Welded connection can be either butt-welded or socket-welded, suitable for high-temperature, high-pressure, and corrosive media piping systems. Welded connections provide a permanent connection, ensuring no leakage, commonly used in applications requiring extremely high sealing and stability.

Quick-Connect Couplings: Quick-connect couplings allow for rapid assembly and disassembly, suitable for applications requiring frequent installation and removal. This method is convenient and fast but typically used for low-pressure systems.

Clamp Connection: Clamp connection uses clamps to connect the valve to the pipe, suitable for systems with high sanitary requirements, such as in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Clamp connections are easy to assemble and disassemble without special tools.

Socket Connection: Socket connection involves inserting the pipe into the valve's socket end and securing it by welding or bonding, suitable for small diameter piping systems. This method provides good sealing and mechanical strength.