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A floating ball valve is a specialized type of valve where the ball is unsupported by an axis, relying solely on two seats for support. The valve stem is connected to the ball for movement, allowing the ball to be in a "floating" state. Under the pressure of the medium, the ball can produce a certain amount of displacement and press tightly against the sealing surface at the outlet end, thereby ensuring the seal at the outlet.

Operating Principle

The working principle of the floating ball valve is as follows: When the handle (or other actuating device) drives the valve stem to rotate, the ball can rotate freely between the two valve seats. When the ball's through-hole aligns with the valve body's passage hole, the ball valve is open, allowing fluid to flow through; when the ball turns 90°, the ball's through-hole is perpendicular to the valve body's passage hole, the ball valve is closed. At this point, the ball is pushed towards the valve outlet side seat by the fluid pressure, achieving valve sealing.

Structural Features

The floating ball valve features the following structural characteristics:

Unique valve seat sealing structure: Utilizes dual-line sealed valve seats to ensure reliable valve sealing.

Professional Valve Seat Machining: Low friction coefficient for valve seats, resulting in reduced torque for valve operation.

Handle Valve Rod: The rod head features a flat square structure to ensure the handle aligns with the flow hole direction of the ball.

Locking Device: Prevents accidental operation of valve switch.

Bushing anti-ejection structure: Prevents the valve stem from being ejected under high pressure.

Anti-static Design: Prevents static sparks from causing accidents.

‌Internal Flange Design: Leakproof Structure‌

Fire-resistant structure: Protects the valve from damage in case of a fire.

Application Scenarios and Pros & Cons

Floating ball valves are widely used in general working media such as water, solvents, acids, natural gas, as well as harsh conditions like oxygen, hydrogen peroxide, methane, and ethylene. They are also suitable for industries including chemicals, oil, natural gas, metallurgy, and for natural gas pipelines with high sulfur content, abundant impurities, and severe corrosion.

Advantages include:

Simple structure: easy to manufacture and maintain.

Good sealing: low fluid resistance, quick opening and closing.

‌Multiple additional structures: such as locking devices, anti-static devices, etc., enhancing safety and reliability._

Disadvantages include:

High friction: prone to wear and leakage.

High Temperature and High Pressure Limitations: Sealing face materials restrict its use in high temperature and high pressure environments.