Difference between ball valves and butterfly valves

Ball valves are convenient and easy to use for switching. The fuel gas supply on the side walls of the pyrolysis furnace in our facility uses ball valves, and the same applies to the ball valves used at the analysis and sampling ports by the female staff

Compared to butterfly valves, ball valves are heavier and have larger structural dimensions; therefore they are not suitable for use in pipes with too large a diameter :lol Just learned this

Ball valves generally have good sealing performance and certain shut-off capabilities, but they are relatively large in size. Butterfly valves are compact in size and are used in applications with larger pipe diameters.

Also, butterfly valves cannot withstand high pressures.

Butterfly valves are mainly used in large-diameter pipelines; the operating pressure is generally low, and their sealing performance is not very good Ball valves have a wide range of applications; they are suitable for various process media, can meet the requirements of different pressure levels, offer excellent sealing performance, and are easy to operate for opening and closing

Ball valves are generally used in applications with small diameters. Ball valves with large diameters do exist as well, but they are large in size and weight, and their cost is high. Butterfly valves have a wide range of applications and can be used for both large and small diameters; in particular, for large-diameter applications, they feature a small size and light weight. Compared to butterfly valves, ball valves offer better sealing performance, and they also allow for the regulation of flow rate and pressure. Their common feature is low flow resistance; in the fully open position, if the diameter remains unchanged, their flow resistance is almost negligible.

The difference between ball valves and butterfly valves can be understood fairly easily by looking at their names: as the name suggests, the valve element of a ball valve is spherical, while that of a butterfly valve is in the form of a butterfly-shaped plate

Ball valves and butterfly valves are named according to the shape of their valve cores, as the name suggests. Ball valves feature a spherical seal between metal surfaces and require high precision in manufacturing. They are generally used in applications with high pressure, significant impact on the valve surfaces, high temperatures, strict sealing requirements, and relatively small diameters, such as coal powder pipelines and gas flow pipelines. Butterfly valves feature a planar seal between rubber and metal; they have relatively low manufacturing precision and are generally used in water pipelines with large diameters, where it is necessary to easily control flow, the operating temperature is low, and strict sealing requirements do not apply.

As the name implies, a ball valve has a rotor in the form of a ball, while a disc valve has a rotor in the form of a disc; the ball is located inside a cylinder, which ensures high levels of sealing and strength. Disc valves are preferred when convenience and cost-effectiveness are important, and they are used in applications where high sealing standards are not required

It cannot be generalized; for the coal-to-olefins projects we work on, we use butterfly valves that can withstand temperatures of 550 degrees. For triple-eccentric hard-sealed butterfly valves, choosing appropriate materials ensures no problem with withstanding high temperatures. On the other hand, ball valves face more limitations at high temperatures and are prone to sticking. Ball valves and butterfly valves are both valves that are easy to operate. In comparison, ball valves offer better sealing performance and are more resistant to high pressures; however, they are expensive for large diameters ； Butterfly valves are more suitable for applications with large diameters, low pressures, and where the requirements for internal leakage sealing are not very high.

Well, ball valves can still withstand high temperatures and pressures... but the larger the ball valve, the more expensive it is. For economic reasons, ball valves are not considered for pipes larger than DN200.

Ball valves are generally used in applications with small diameters and can regulate flow. Butterfly valves are generally used in large-diameter applications and are not easy to adjust the flow rate.

I’m still completely clueless about valves; I need to learn more*

Butterfly valves feature a simple structure, low cost, and a wide range of adjustable parameters. Ball valves are typically suitable for liquids and gases free of particulate impurities; they result in low fluid pressure loss and good sealing performance, but they are more expensive. Ball valves are used for small-diameter applications, while butterfly valves are employed for large-diameter ones. Butterfly valves operate by rotating a butterfly plate within the pipe diameter to achieve regulation and shut-off; since the drive mechanism is located inside the pipe, there is high flow resistance and significant pressure loss. Ball valves overcome these drawbacks of butterfly valves, but they have higher frictional resistance at the sealing surfaces. Butterfly valves are generally used as control valves, whereas ball valves are used as shut-off valves. Of course, ball valves are not used in large-diameter pipelines, as it is difficult to manufacture large spherical surfaces, which results in high costs. The ball valve evolved from the plug valve. It has the same 90-degree rotation lift action; the difference is that the plug body is spherical, with a circular hole or passage running through its axis. The ratio between the sphere and the opening should be such that when the sphere rotates 90 degrees, the entire area at the inlet and outlet should be covered by the sphere, thereby blocking the flow. A ball valve can be closed tightly with just a 90-degree rotation and a very small torque. The completely equal inner cavity of the valve provides a flow path with very low resistance and a direct route for the medium. It is generally believed that ball valves are most suitable for direct on-off operation, but recent developments have designed them to also serve the purpose of throttling and controlling flow. The main advantages of ball valves are their compact structure, ease of operation and maintenance. They are suitable for use with common working media such as water, solvents, acids, and natural gas, as well as for media under harsh working conditions, such as oxygen, hydrogen peroxide, methane, and ethylene. The ball valve body can be integral or modular.