Comparison and Selection between Ball Valves and Plug Valves

Ball valves evolved from plug valves; ball valves provide linear sealing while plug valves offer surface sealing. Plug valves are not as capable as ball valves when it comes to withstanding high temperatures and pressures. The plug valve has a simple structure, enables quick opening and closing, presents low fluid resistance, and is suitable for frequent use. It features rapid operation, simplicity in design, relatively small size, light weight, and ease of maintenance. More importantly, it is much cheaper than ball valves. In terms of applications, plug valves are generally chosen as long as the operating conditions are not those of high temperature and high pressure; for example, many plug valves are used in the coal chemical industry for the production of acetic acid and acetic anhydride.

Ball valves evolved from plug valves; ball valves provide linear sealing while plug valves offer surface sealing. Plug valves are not as capable as ball valves when it comes to withstanding high temperatures and pressures. The plug valve has a simple structure, enables quick opening and closing, presents low fluid resistance, and is suitable for frequent use. It features rapid operation, simplicity in design, relatively small size, light weight, and ease of maintenance. More importantly, it is much cheaper than ball valves. In terms of applications, plug valves are generally chosen as long as the operating conditions are not those of high temperature and high pressure; for example, many plug valves are used in the coal chemical industry for the production of acetic acid and acetic anhydride. If you have any further questions, we can communicate with each other. QQ609088064

My personal opinion differs slightly from the above. Ball valves did indeed evolve from plug valves, but ball valves can achieve full-bore flow, whereas plug valves cannot; their flow passages are usually rectangular or trapezoidal in shape, while those of ball valves are O-shaped. Plug valves can also be used in high-temperature and high-pressure environments, but metal seals must be used in such cases. Since their sealing surfaces are surface-sealed, the torque required is much higher than that of ball valves. Additionally, to reduce friction at the sealing surfaces, metal plug valves typically have oil injection ports on the outside and lubrication grooves inside, thereby reducing friction and extending the seal’s lifespan. Another advantage of plug valves is that the gap between the valve core and the valve body is much smaller than that in ball valves, which helps to reduce the accumulation of fluid and the risk of overpressure. In terms of price, plug valves equipped with actuators are more expensive than ball valves. You can visit websites such as XOMOX and FLOWSERVE to learn more about PLUG & BALL VALVES

:lol :lol XOMOX is not Emerson’s...

No, XOMOX belongs to the American CRANE Group

The person on the 4th floor explained it in such detail; I learned a lot

However, ball valves can achieve full bore, whereas plug valves cannot; many plug valve manufacturers do produce plug valves with full bore.