How Does a 3-Way Ball Valve Work?

Author: Ingrid

May. 06, 2024

How Does a 3-Way Ball Valve Work?

Multiport ball valves, such as the 3-way ball valve, provide numerous solutions for process control applications. These valves offer more flexibility when the application deals with more than one media. However, multiport valves can be a little confusing for someone who has not used it before. Before you learn about 3-way ball valve, make sure you figure out what a common ball valve is.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website 3 way ball valve manufacturers china.

This article will guide you on what 3-way ball valves are and what their working mechanism is. We will also discuss the different types of 3-way ball valves as well as applications for each type.

What Is a 3-Way Ball Valve?

Ball valve suppliers have to come up with ball valve designs that can address multiple processes without having to install more than one valve. Hence, multiport ball valves were developed.

There are two different types of 3-Way valves with actuators to manage different flow paths – L-port and T-port. The ball valve is manufactured in a specific design to create either the L or T shape.An L-Port can send flow one way or the other or turn it entirely off. 

A T-Port performs all of the same flow tasks as an L-Port, except it cannot be turned off. Furthermore, the T-Port can mix flows by delivering and receiving flow to and from both sides of the Tee. Xhaval offers 3 way ball valve catalog classic designs with modern innovations.

A three-way valve has three openings which can act as an inlet and outlets at one time. The main advantage of this valve is its economic value as it can both act as a control and shut-off valve.

Advantages of the 3-Way Ball Valve

Piping set-up plays a major role in flow control using this kind of valve. Additionally, how the valve is designed also determines the flow pattern. That being said, there are two kinds: the Y-pattern and the L-pattern.

#1. It can totally shut off the valve.

#2. It can mix two media types.

#3. It can divert the flow of media in another direction.

#4. It can split the flow of media into two separate directions.

#5. It can block the flow of one media and allow another media to flow in the same direction.

Types of Three-way Valves

Three-way ball valves can either have the L-pattern or the T-pattern. While the working is still the same, the ball configuration for these two is quite different.

L-Pattern

The L-pattern ball valve is characterized by a port located in the middle aside from the two ports located at opposite ends.

The L-port design directs flow in only one direction at a time. Flow can be directed into two distinct exits from a single intake. In the opposite flow direction, the user can select either of two inlets for one output.

T-Pattern

The T-pattern type is sometimes called the mixer or the 180-degree ball valve. T-Port Ball valves can also be used to direct flow between two ports to the left, right, or straight through. Because you can combine two inlets into a single exit, it’s ideal for mixing fluids. (Also known as Mixing Ball Valves) The opposite flow direction is also conceivable, allowing a single source to divert flow in both directions at the same time.

T Port 3 Way Ball Valve

A 3-way ball valve operates by rotating the handle, which spins a ball within the valve body, to line the cut-out channels in the ball with the valve’s inlets and outputs. An L-port valve’s “L” shaped cut-out of the ball delivers fluid through 90 degrees from one port to another.

What Is A T Port 3 Way Ball Valve

A separate valve must be added to the two opposite branches of the tee to shut off all flows on a T-port 3-way valve. To stop the flow, close the two valves and turn the ball in the 3-way valve to face the back of the valve. On each branch, a tee piece with a single valve is a better solution.

T Port 3 Way Ball Valve: Common Uses

The 3 way hydraulic ball valves serve a variety of functions in the oil and gas industry:

  • They regulate the flow of oil in upstream applications. 

  • They protect equipment in the midstream by controlling the flow of gas and oil.

  • Also designed to control the flow of high-pressure gasses and liquids with minimal pressure drop.

L-Port 3 Way Ball Valve

The L-port, L-pattern valve allows fluid to be directed to a common outlet from two different inlet ports without ever using the same inlet port. They have two inlets and a single outlet. In some applications, L-port valves can provide fluid diversion service.

What Is A L-Port 3 Way Ball Valve

The l port ball valve is a three-way valve that can direct fluids from multiple sources. The three-way l port ball valve is useful in systems where fluids are drawn into another pipe from multiple sources. The l port 3 way valve’s handle can easily be turned to provide a connection change to block one tank and draw from another tank of fluids.

L-Port 3 Way Ball Valve: Common Uses

The middle port of an L-port is the common port, and one of the side ports of a T-port is the common port. 

  • Divert a flow from one source tank to another source tank, 

  • Divert a flow from one source, such as switching between pump #1 and pump #2, 

  • Divert from free cooling to using a chiller due to seasonal demand.

Irrespective of which one, L-port and T-port ball valves are both useful. L-port ball valves are more common and widely available. The T-port has a lower pressure drop straight through the valve, whereas the L-port must turn a corner, resulting in a higher pressure drop. For some applications, T-port ball valves can provide greater versatility than L-port ball valves. Because they are less expensive to manufacture, economy 2 seat 3 way ball valves are typically only available in L port configuration. Xhaval manufactures and distributes any form with either metallic or plastic designs worldwide.

3 Way Ball Valve: What’s Its Difference From 2 Way Ball Valve

A three-way ball valve has three ports, whereas a two-way ball valve has only two. A 3-way valve can control fluid flow in three directions, whereas a 2-way valve can only control it in two. When it is necessary to control fluid flow in multiple directions, 3-way ball valves are commonly used.

Choose The Right 3 Way Ball Valve: 3 Way Valve Mixing Vs Diverting (Flow  Diagram Explained)

3 Way Valve Flow Diagram

A three-way ball valve is a type of valve that has three ports, also known as apertures. The connection between the ports features a metal ball with apertures to adjust the flow direction of the media. Fluid or gas (media) flows through the valve, and a mechanism turns the ball, directing flow from one location to another.

3 Way Diverter Ball Valve

A 3-way ball valve is a valve with three ports, often known as apertures. The connection between the ports has a metal ball with apertures to adjust the flow direction of the media. Fluid or gas (media) flows through the valve, and there is a mechanism to turn the ball, which directs flow from one location to another.

3 Way Diverter Ball Valve

A 3-way ball valve is a valve with three ports, often known as apertures. The connection between the ports has a metal ball with apertures to adjust the flow direction of the media. Fluid or gas (media) flows through the valve, and there is a mechanism to turn the ball, which directs flow from one location to another.

3 Way Mixing Ball Valve

The 3-Way Ball Valve Mixing Station is a chemical proportioner that properly dilutes three chemical concentrations to the necessary ratios and fills any sized container with diluted, ready-to-use chemical solutions.

A 3-way control valve stops water flow in one pipe while allowing it to flow in another. The valve can also combine water from two distinct pipes into one pipe or redirect water from one pipe into two different pipes in a modulating or three-point floating application.

3-Way Ball Valve Working Mechanism

Since there are two kinds of 3-way ball valves, this section discusses each of the mechanisms in detail. They are a bit different from common ball valve mechanism. The L-pattern type or the diverter valve allows the change of flow from one port to the other through the turning of the handle or actuator to 90-degrees.

Assume that the first position has the bottom port and the left port open. A quarter turn in the counterclockwise direction makes the valve divert the flow of media to the right port.

Another quarter turn in the opposite direction, making the entire rotation 180 degrees in total, blocks the flow of media as can be seen in the image above. A 270-turn would still block the flow of media. However, making the full 360-turn allows the valve to return to its original position.

In a sense, two of the three ports open at one time. This allows the valve to have two shut-off positions with three flow options.

The T-pattern is called the mixer valve because the media from two inlet flows can be combined inside the valve. It then exits to the other end. In a sense, all three ports can be opened at one time.

The T-pattern ball valve can also act as a diverter so it can also work similarly that of the L-pattern. All these are done with a quarter-turn of the handle. T-pattern cannot provide a bubble-tight shut-off but they can limit the flow to two ports or allow passage to all three ports.

As a mixer, the T-pattern ball valve can split the media to flow out from 2 opposite directions. The design allows the T-pattern to split the flow or just allow a straight-through flow pattern, just like the two-way ball valve.

For a vertically positioned T-pattern ball valve, the common port is always open. The only way that flow diverts is by turning it a quarter turn. A 180-turn will not change the flow of the media.

There are locking handles so the valves can move with a turn of the handle; however, these locks are in intervals up to 360 degrees for the 3-way valve. This is to compensate for the number of ports. Also, the port that acts as the common entry point is often located at the bottom of the valve.

The Importance of Handles

Generally speaking, ball valves have handle stops that prevents the ball valve from exceeding the 90-degree turn. This is particularly important to three-way valves because of the number of openings of the ball disc inside the valve. By providing a limited set range of motion to the handles gives more control to the amount of media that must be diverted or combined.

How Does It Differ from Two-Way Ball Valve

The two-way ball valve is primarily shut-off services. This has two openings on both which are connected to the pipes. This valve has a single straight hole through which the media passes through.

On the other hand, three-way ball valves have three connections or port. This valve is suitable for more complex control processes that the two-way variant cannot accomplish. While the two-way is more of a shutoff valve, multiport ball valves such as the three-way type provides control of media flow.

Summary

Ball valves are one of the most versatile industrial valves in the market. If you want to know more about these valves and how these can help your business, contact XHVAL for more details. Or you can also get the great manufacturers in this complete valve manufacturers guide in China.

How to Use Three-Way Ball Valve in Different Applications

Three-way ball valves are used in products with larger than one supply of media or to bend media in distinct two ways. It differs on the path of the substance movement; the three major ports are consigned as two opening and one inlet or vice versa two inlets and one opening passage. In this article we will discuss three way ball valve uses.

From the name, it is clear that three-way ball valves originate with 3 different ports. It can function mechanically or physically with an actuator i.e. electrically powered or pneumatic actuator. The ball of this valve i.e. three-way ball valve is defined in two different types with “L” and “T” formations. This valve is an explicit type. It is stress-free to use in floating configuration and trunnion configuration with numerous kinds of end valves like sockets, flanged, or threaded.

Three Way ball valves have the ability to execute the below-mentioned roles

 

An extremely widespread and prominent multi-port valve is the 3-way ball valve. This multiport valve functions with more than dual tasks. The multiport valve can be a 3-way ball valve, 4-way ball valve, 5-way ball valve, and so on. The three-way ball valve itself evaporates that it has 3 different varieties of ports that pass the flow of substance in gas procedure or liquid procedure. These ports are also consigned as one inlet and two openings or one opening and two inlets according to your necessity. The three-way ball valve is profitable, so it is extremely prominent and best in use. You can effortlessly regulate this valve with two paths in a single body of the valve. With the numerous processes, this 3-way ball valve can offer or control the movement of substance changing on different method needs. One can undertake it by operating the accurate valve selection and control.  

The below-stated fundamentals can be accomplished by a 3-way ball valve:

 

– Entirely switch the movement of flow in any manner.

– Combine two separate substances from different suppliers.

– Development can be conveyed from one medium to another medium.

– Watery flow or gaseous flow from solo inlet can be completed in two unequal points.

– It can finish one opening while consenting to the movement of an element in gas or liquid form and stay in another mode.

The 3-way ball valve is clearly described by a specific, noticeable, internal design division. This foremost internal design division is the current version or the outline port within the valve of the ball.

EG Valves, Three-way ball valves come with flow-repetitive valve balls outline. It comes in an L shape and a T shape. The L shape is described with two flow paths and the T shape is described with 3 flow paths.

Moreover, Three-way ball valves are principally operative and well-designed because they can be positioned in immense methods to streamline the use of gaseous streams and moist streams. For example, they can be used to absorb the flow of oil from one container to another.

Dissimilarities between two-way ball valves and three way ball valves 

 

Two-way ball valves are also known as shut-off valves. It is mainly used to pass the flow of watery substances and gaseous forms of media through closed channels or pipelines. Similarly, Two-way ball valves come with two ports and the ports are connected to the valve that functions properly. In this, the ball works as a single in a row-hole media that let a liquid form of substance or gaseous form of media pass through it.

On the other hand, a three-way ball valve has three interfaces or ports. It switches more dense movement that involves a valve i.e., more than two-way. 

In a number of methods, the three-way ball valves are highly constructive and well-operative. Before opting 3-way china ball valve, it is dynamic to know the summary structure and plan design of the valve or any valve manufacturer.

A Three-Way Ball Valve: Functioning and Performance

 

As earlier explained, three-way ball valves are mainly of two types. One is an L shape and the other one is a T shape. If we talk about the normal ball valve the functionality and performance are slightly different.

L Shaped

The diverter valve is another name for an L-shaped style valve. It simply marks a change in the movement of flow from one port to another port just by rotating the handle to 90 degrees. The foremost plug is unlocked by the close port and the left port. In the counterclockwise track the fourth shot sources the valve to bounce the flow of liquid and gas to the apt opening way.  

On the other hand, One more fourth turn in a different route permits a perfect rotation of 180 degrees. It blocks the channel of all sorts of media. A turn of 270 degrees will also complicate the flow of liquid or gas. Though, having a full 360 degrees rotation permits the valve to set back to its preliminary position.  

T shape

Mixer valve is another name for T pattern valve. You might think why this valve is known as a mixer valve. It is because the substance of two inlet streams can be combined, shared, or diversified within the valve. On the other end, it drops the valve. In this manner, all three ports can be unconfined and have the ability to achieve any type of function at a time.  

The T-shaped ball valve also works as the L-type valve or diverter in a similar way. It could be accomplished with a handle of the fourth turn. To enable the passageway to all three interfaces a T-shaped valve is used in the working to control the flow. 

Three Way Ball Valve Uses

As an industrial valve, a 3-way ball valve is highly used for converting valves, by-pass valves, opening valves, closing valves, directional valves, and more with the help of an L-shaped ball-type valve. And, T-shaped ball-type valve is suggested and highly used for merging valves, examining valves, suppression valves, and more.  

Let us discuss the features and benefits of a 3-way ball valve 

 

The foremost features and advantages of three-way ball valves are mentioned below:

– It needs less force to rotate the valve.

– It does not require any type of friction to open or close.

– Time-saving and cost-effective.

– It is a self-accusing valve.

The benefits of a three-way ball valve are:

– Accessible to handle and beneficial product.

– Comes in a variety of magnitudes to boost the variety of uses. 

– Weight-less which makes it compact in design 

– Low level of volume with an easy-to-use structure. 

– Low firmness that permits the flow of watery substance through the valve.

– Firmed sealing.

Classification of a three-way ball valve

L-shaped valves

L-Shaped valves, also known as 90-degree balls. It is most widely used to enable the flow from a single common inlet port to one of two independent outlet ports. That is why L- shaped three-way ball valves are also known as diverter valves. 

T-shaped valves

T-shaped valve is also referred to as 180-degree balls. To merge, combine or blend two inlet movements of flows into one conformist opening interface. T-shaped valves are suggested for dividing or separating the stream of a liquid. T-pattern valve also plays an important role as L-pattern movement valves usually known as the diverting movement of those actions from one opening port to another port. They may consist of distraction flow, collaborating or separating flow, and straight flow that is predominantly constructed on the allowable range of regulator flow.

Casting 

Casting demands a liquid form of metal to create valves. These metals are heated properly to soften and transferred into molds of dissimilar erections and in a variety of sizes. The unsolidified watery substance is fragmented or distant from the pattern formerly it has firmed and solidified. The utmost significant assistance of casting permits the production of valves with complex and dense forms, dimensions, systems, and strategies. 

Actuated

A methodological process that switches a valve with the maintenance of a power source is known as an actuator in the valve. This cause of function may be in any form for example: electrically powered, air-filled, or hydraulic.

A three-way ball valve selection

 

Always keep the below-mentioned points in mind before selecting a three-way ball valve or any China Valve Supplier

– Identify the fluid substance that is to be used in the structure, this requires selecting the appropriate and equal valve seal.

– To introduce the valve choose the power evaluation of the structure.

– To work on the valve set the appropriate temperature.

– Verify the connection and identify whether the valve is applicable that needs to be attached to the piping or not.

– The substantial needs to be friendly with the active course and suitable for the course heating level and power.

– Create the switch device of the valve to attain the function in the current system.

How a two-way ball valve is not the same as a three-way ball valve (variance among 2-way ball valve and 3-way ball valve)

The two-way ball valve is mainly utilized for shut-down services. This valve has two openings mainly on two equal ends that are linked to the pipe ways. This valve has one straight hole opening by which the fluid or vapor passes.  

Furthermore, 3-way ball valves are used for 3 ports. This valve is compatible with more complex control procedures that the two-way variation cannot achieve. 

The company is the world’s best Mini Ball Valve Factory supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

12

0

Comments

Please Join Us to post.

0/2000

All Comments ( 0 )

Guest Posts

If you are interested in sending in a Guest Blogger Submission,welcome to write for us!

Your Name: (required)

Your Email: (required)

Subject:

Your Message: (required)