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A motorized ball valve is a type of ball valve that uses electricity to operate. This type of valve uses a perforated, hollow, and turning ball to control fluid flow. Motorized ball valves have the ball with a hole at the center. An electric motor is used to control the position of the ball to enhance fluid flow or block fluid flow. Motorized ball valve manufacturers design the ball such that it can control, direct, guide, and modulate fluid flow. The motorized ball valve can work in gases, liquids, and vapors. Motorized ball valve closes or opens flow by turning the ball 90o anticlockwise or clockwise direction respectively. A motorized ball valve initiates fluid flow when the ball hole turns to be parallel to the fluid flow direction. Motorized ball valves are known for long service life and high reliability.
Figure: Motorized ball valve.
The valve body or valve housing in a motorized ball valve is the component used to contain all internal parts of the valve. The valve body is made of strong, hard, and rigid materials so that it can have high strength enough to withstand high pressure and high temperatures associated with the fluid flow. The inlet and outlet ports of a motorized ball valve are also made on the valve body.
The ball is a spherical component with a hole in its middle. The hole at the center of the ball is known as a bore. The hole or bore in the ball serves as the opening to the fluid flow. The ball in a motorized ball valve can be a hollow ball or solid ball. For a solid ball, there is a constant opening diameter which enhances smooth fluid flow at constant velocity. For a hollow ball, the space inside it enhances more fluid to flow through the valve. However, hollow balls in a motorized ball valve tend to have more turbulence as well as high velocities. Nevertheless, a hollow ball in a motorized ball valve makes the valve light in weight and cheap relative to a solid ball.
This is the component of a motorized ball valve that connects the electric motor to the ball. The stem is a shaft that transmits power from the electric motor to operate the motorized ball valve. The stem in a motorized ball valve is designed with seals like O-rings and packing rings for sealing the bonnet as well as the stem/shaft to prevent fluid leakage.
Bonnet in a motorized ball valve is the component placed on top of the valve body to cover internal parts. The bonnet and the valve body in a motorized ball valve are connected using screws or bolts and nuts or by welding to ensure it is leakage free. Just like the valve body, the bonnet should be made of strong, hard, and rigid materials that can withstand high pressure and high temperatures according to the intended use of that valve.
The seat in a motorized ball valve is a component used to provide a seal between the valve body and the ball. There is an upstream seat adjacent to the valve inlet side and a downstream seat placed opposite to the upstream seat adjacent to the valve discharge side.
The actuator is the component is a motorized ball valve that is used to provide the power to operate the valve. The actuator is an electric motor. The actuator can be automatic or semi-automatic.
Packing refers to the seal around the valve stem/shaft used to prevent fluid leakage.
Figure: Components of a motorized ball valve.
Motorized ball valves work by converting electrical energy into mechanical energy. It is the mechanical energy that is used to open/close motorized ball valves. The electrical energy is converted into mechanical energy by the use of an electric motor. The working of a motorized ball valve is discussed below.
Figure: Working of a motorized ball valve.
This is a motorized ball valve with one body. This motorized ball valve is designed with a solid cast valve body which reduces leakage. The single-body motorized ball valve is the cheapest of all motorized ball valves. However, this ball valve cannot be opened for cleaning or maintenance. The single-body motorized ball valve is used in less demanding functions. These valves have a small opening, they are cheaper, and they are generally disposable.
This is a motorized ball valve that consists of two parts in which the first component contains the body and end joint, the second component is attached to the first component. A two-piece motorized ball valve can be disassembled easily for inspection, cleaning, and maintenance. To separate the two pieces in this motorized ball valve, it has to be completely disconnected from the pipeline.
This is a motorized ball valve made with three parts that are the body and two end joints. The three components are connected using bolts and nuts. This design of a three-piece ball valve makes it easy to remove core parts of the valve such as stem, seat, and ball from the piping system. Such design of a motorized ball valve enhances effective removal of clogged materials, replacement of seals and seats without removal of tubing from the body. However, this type of motorized ball valve is sold at a higher price.
This is a motorized ball valve in which the ball is assembled from the side part of the top section. This design of a motorized ball valve enhances ball and seat repair without disassembly of the valve. The motorized top entry ball valve enhances a larger valve body. In most cases, motorized ball valve manufacturers design the valve such that you do not need to remove it from the pipeline. The advantage of top-entry motorized ball valves is that they have minimal thread connections which reduce leakages.
This is a motorized ball valve in which the ball is assembled from the side part of the valve. In most cases, this motorized ball valve has the ball assembled in two or three parts of the valve body. Each part is assembled with screws or bolts similar to connecting two flanges. Side entry ball valves have minimal defects from the manufacturing process and are easy to assemble.
This is a motorized ball valve that is fully welded making it free from any leakage. This type of motorized ball valve cannot be repaired like the other motorized ball valves. Welded body motorized ball valves are used in underground and buried applications where maintenance is not needed such as in gas transport and subsea transport applications. After these motorized ball valves are welded they are taken through non-destructive testing (NDTS) to ascertain that it has zero leakage.
A motorized ball valve is a type of ball valve that operates by use of an electric motor. This motorized ball valve employs electricity as its source of energy. The electricity is used to power the electric motor which then converts electrical energy to mechanical energy. The mechanical energy is used by the electric motor to turn the motorized ball valve on to allow fluid flow. Motorized ball valves use a ball that turns 90o to close/open fluid flow. Motorized ball valves are suitable for on/off applications. Motorized ball valves manufacturers design the valve considering their ability to withstand fluid pressure and temperature. Motorized ball valves are used in different applications such as power plants, food and beverages processing, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, water supply, and irrigation systems among others. Motorized ball valves are energy-efficient, affordable, durable, easy to use, versatile, strong, and simple to clean and repair.