Case
Case
Ball check valves consist of a valve body, spherical disc, sealing ring, and spring (in certain models). Their operation relies on the synergy of fluid dynamics and mechanical forces:
Forward flow: Media pressure pushes the ball away from the seat, creating a flow path. Higher flow rates result in greater opening angles.
Reverse flow: Backflow pressure combined with gravity/spring force rapidly reseats the ball, achieving zero-leakage sealing.
Inertia-free operation: The 360° symmetrical design eliminates swing delays seen in traditional swing check valves, reducing response time by over 40%.
Low water hammer effect: Gentle closing action with full sealing reduces pressure fluctuations by 80%, protecting pipelines from impact damage.
Dual-redundant sealing system (elastic sealing ring + metal-to-metal contact) achieves API 598 Class VI leakage standards.
Withstands extreme conditions: -196°C to 550°C and PN100+ pressure, ideal for LNG pipelines and high-temperature steam systems.
Full-bore design aligns the ball with the pipeline diameter, reducing flow resistance coefficient to 0.02 (60% lower energy consumption than butterfly valves).
Turbulence suppression technology optimizes ball curvature for high-viscosity media (e.g., crude oil, slurries).
Wear-resistant coatings (tungsten carbide or ceramic) extend lifespan to 3x longer than standard valves in particle-laden media.
Zero mechanical wear structure (no gears or linkages) extends maintenance intervals to 3–6 years.
Flexible installation (horizontal, vertical, or inclined).
Broad media compatibility: 316L stainless steel, Hastelloy, PTFE, etc., resistant to 200+ media types (acids, corrosive gases).
Integrated pressure/temperature sensors transmit real-time valve status to SCADA systems.
Predictive maintenance via analysis of operational data to preempt failures.
Petrochemicals: Anti-backflow in catalytic cracking units
Power Systems: Boiler feedwater pump protection
Water Treatment: Preventing sewage backflow (search volume +18% YoY)
HVAC: Chilled water circulation
Food/Pharma: Sanitary-grade 316L stainless steel
Shipbuilding: Salt-spray corrosion resistance
Agriculture: Anti-silt wear design
Renewables: Geothermal fluid control
Shale gas extraction: Installed at high-pressure fracturing pump outlets to prevent sand-liquid backflow.
LNG storage/transport: Ensures unidirectional flow in -162°C cryogenic loading arms.
Reactor feed systems: Prevent toxic substance backflow (FDA cGMP compliant).
Acid/alkali pipelines: Lined valve bodies resist 98% sulfuric acid, hydrofluoric acid.
Seawater desalination: Titanium alloy valves resist corrosion in reverse osmosis systems.
Wastewater plants: Prevent sludge particle backflow at pump outlets.
Nuclear cooling loops: ASME N-stamp certified for zero radioactive leakage.
Geothermal power: High-temperature variants for 200°C+ fluid control.
Flow direction alignment: Valve arrow must match media flow direction.
Support requirements: Valves ≥DN200 require independent supports to avoid pipeline stress.
Straight pipe sections: Upstream 5x pipe diameter, downstream 2x for stable flow.
Quarterly checks: Use ultrasonic detectors to measure seal leakage (<100ppm).
Annual servicing: Clean valve cavity; inspect ball surface roughness (Ra ≤0.8µm).
Emergency fixes: Inject sealing grease for temporary leak recovery.
| Symptom | Possible Cause | Solution |
| Abnormal vibration | Spring fatigue/cavitation | Replace spring or upgrade valve |
| Delayed closing | Guide rod scaling | Chemical cleaning or mechanical polish |
| Local leakage | Sealing ring degradation | Replace seals and conduct leak test |
A: Ball valves close faster (0.2s vs. 0.5s), but swing valves handle large-particle media better.
A: Install slow-closing devices or opt for dual-ball structures.
A: Inspect for ball surface scratches, seal aging, or foreign object obstruction.
