How Do Three-way Ball Valves Work?
Ball valve suppliers must come up with ball valve designs that can handle multiple processes without the need to install multiple valves. For this reason, multi-port ball valves have been developed.
The three-way valve has three openings and can be used as both an inlet and an outlet. The main advantage of this type of valve is its economic value, as it can be used as both a control valve and a globe valve.
How do three-way ball valves work?
There are two types of 3-way ball valves that work in a slightly different way to normal ball valves.
The L or diverter valve transfers flow from one port to the other by turning the handle or actuator 90 degrees. It is assumed that the first position is opened by the bottom port and the left port. A quarter turn in a counter-clockwise direction will cause the valve to divert the media flow to the right hand outlet.
A further quarter turn in the other direction allows a full 180 degrees of rotation, preventing the media from passing through. 270 turns will also prevent the media from moving. However, a full 360 turns allows the valve to return to its original position. To some extent, two of the three ports are available at the same time. This allows the valve to have two closed positions and three flow options.
The T model is called a mixing valve because the media from the two inlet streams can be mixed in the valve. It leaves the valve at the other end. To some extent, all three ports can be opened at the same time.The T-type ball valve can also be used as a diverter, allowing it to operate in the same way as the L-type valve. It can be achieved by turning the handle a quarter turn. t models cannot have an airtight shut-off, but they can restrict the flow of two ports or facilitate access to all three ports.
As a mixer, the T-ball valve divides the medium into two opposite directions. Its design facilitates T-flow diversion or simply creates a straight-through flow pattern, just like a two-way ball valve. The typical port of a vertically mounted T-ball valve remains open. The only way to divert the flow is to turn it a quarter turn. 180 turns will not change the flow of the media.
How Can I Use a T-Port 3-Way Valve but Still Shut off All the Flows?
To shut off all the flows on a T-port 3-way valve, a separate valve must be added to the two opposite branches of the tee. To close the flow off, the two valves must be closed and the ball in the 3-way valve turned to face the rear of the valve. A better solution is to install a tee piece with a single valve on each branch.
How to Tell Direction of Flow in a 3-Way Ball Valve?
On a 3-way ball valve there will be a tee-shaped arrow indicator on the handle which mimics the cut out section of the ball inside the valve. By referring to this mark, it can be ascertained which direction(s) the flow will travel through the valve.
