Your Solution-Oriented Floating Ball Valve Manufacturer

Kinvalve is Your Go-To Floating Ball Valve Manufacturer

Kinvalve is your reliable, experienced, and premier industrial floating ball valve manufacturer. We offer the most high-quality floating ball valves, backed by over 18-year experience in the industry.

All products are ISO-approved, manufactured in a state-of-the-art factory, and come with an 18-month quality assurance period.

You are guaranteed timely response, a wide catalog to choose from, unmatched pricing, different compliance certifications, and order fulfillment followed by 24/7 customer service.

Unique Features of Kinvalve Floating Ball Valves

You need a qualified company to buy floating ball valves that prevent any leakage that could cost you more money.

The Kinvalve floating ball valves are quality-approved and professionally sealed to avoid internal or external leakages.

Using gaskets, compression packing, v-rings, and O-rings, Kinvalve floating ball valves will keep the flow of elements steady without being affected by pressure ratings or temperature variants.

Custom Seals and Gaskets in Floating Ball Valve

Your floating ball valves need more unique features that guarantee longevity. Kinvalve offers a blowout-proof stem giving you reliable safety measures.

You also get extra safety guarantees because Kinvalve floating ball valves feature anti-static devices as well as a fire-proof design to satisfy your specific requirements.

As a reliable floating ball valve manufacturer, Kinvalve offers the integrated ISO5211 mounting pad design to ensure you can directly equip an actuator to your floating ball valve for your automatic applications.

Kinvalve ensures your floating ball valves with reliable tightness under any conditions.

For this aim, Kinvalve offers self-relieving valve seats to suit certain conditions when the ball valve is closed, the liquid in the cavity expands and greatly exceeds the maximum pressure it can bear.

In order to eliminate the risk of leakage, this valve seat design enables a pressure relief design.

Self-Relieving Seats in Floating Ball Valve

You can also get the live loading stem packing design, which compensates for the temperature and pressure fluctuations, ensuring the stem packing sealing capability.

In order to combat the widespread fugitive emission, Kinvalve technical engineers use their wisdom to design a variety of sealing structures, such as multiple stem seals together with the precision machining custom body gaskets.

Kinvalve floating ball valve designs follow the API standard 598 Valve Inspection and Testing to guarantee optimum service.

This standard covers testing and inspecting floating ball valves, outlining acceptable leakage rates for liquid and gas.

As your leading floating ball valve manufacturer, Kinvalve is determined to provide you with high-quality products that adhere to the industry’s strict leak detection.

Kinvalve strives to manufacture quality floating ball valves and sell them to you at affordable prices with excellent after-sale service.

No volume is too big or too small for the company; you are guaranteed quality products whose manufacturing is backed by over 18 years of experience.

Send an inquiry today, and Kinvalve will be delighted to provide any information you require!

Floating Ball Valve: The Ultimate FAQ Guide

Let’s look at some of the fundamental aspects you should consider when buying floating ball valves.

Whether you want to learn about the features, benefits, working principle or applications – you will find all information right here.

Let’s dive right in.

What is a Floating Ball Valve?

Floating ball valves are quarter turn valves with a disk in the shape of a ball that control flow of fluids.

The ball is hollow and perforated thus allowing flow of fluids whenever the valve is open.

How does a Floating Ball Valve vs. Trunnion Ball Valve Compare?

Among the most popular types of ball valves, you can either choose the floating ball valve or the trunnion ball valve.

You can use both trunnion and floating ball valves in similar industries for low- and high-pressure operations.

 Floating Ball Valve vs. Trunnion-Mounted Ball Valve

Despite the application similarities, you will note that both ball valves differ in the following ways.

Construction

One of the most notable difference that you will note is the mode of construction of both valves.

Floating ball valves haves only have one connection to the stem while the other end connection is free. Conversely, trunnion ball valves have one connection to the trunnion shaft while the other on the stem.

Type of Seats

Floating ball valves also have very different types of seats that are made of elastomeric materials that cushions onstream pressure.

Apart from that, the seats also come complete with additional seal rings that are capable of managing the pressure.

On the other hand, trunnion mounted ball valves have spring loaded seats with the additional pressure managed by trunnion and stem.

Sealing Functions

You can use both floating ball valves and trunnion ball valves to provide shut off but with different sealing functions.

Floating ball valves are closed when onstream pressure forces the upstream ball and seat to the downstream complete forming seals.

Trunnion mounted ball valves are closed when onstream pressure activates spring loaded seats thus moving towards ball sealing valve.

Application Specifications

You will use the floating ball valves in low pressure and medium pressure applications due to their small diameters.

On the other hand, you will use trunnion mounted ball valves in high pressure applications since the valves are self-relieving.

Additional Features

In the floating ball valves, you will have a separate mechanism which will help in releasing additional pressure.

On the flip side, you will not need additional mechanisms for the trunnion ball valves as they have self-relieving systems.

What are the Features of Floating Ball Valve?

When looking at the features of the floating ball valves, you should consider a number of various factors. In this case, you will look at the design features as well as the materials that exhibit different features.

Here are the main design features of the floating ball valve that you should pay close attention to.

• Anti-blowout stems
• Antistatic Designs
• Fire Safe Design
• Soft Seated or metal Seated Design
• Low Fugitive Emission Design
• Bolted Body Design Features
• Cryogenic Extended Bonnet Design Features

On the same note you must also look at the different types of materials that will work for floating ball valves.

The main materials that you should consider looking ate include:

• Carbon Steel Materials
• Titanium Materials
• Low Temperature Carbon Steel that is impact tested.
• Austenitic or Ferritic Stainless Steel (such as duplex or super duplex)
• Austenitic Stainless Steel
• Hardened Stainless Steel
• Low Alloyed and High Strength Stainless Steel
• Exotic Materials

Which are the Floating Ball Valve Types Available in the Market?

Floating ball valves are available in different types that you can choose from depending on application specifications. Other than that, you can also customize the floating ball valves to fit your application specifications.

Here are the main types of floating ball valves that you can choose from depending on the application specifications.

Types of Floating Ball Valves Based on Bore Size

You can look at the different types of floating ball valves and differentiate them based on the size of the bore.

There are two main types of floating ball valves that you can differentiate based on bore size including:

Full Bore Floating Ball Valve

This type of floating ball valve has a bore size that can match the size or diameter of the pipeline which connects the valve.

Full Bore Floating Ball Valve

Reduce Bore Floating Ball Valve

The size of the bore within the floating ball valve is a few nominal sizes less than the pipeline diameter.

Types of Floating Ball Valves Based on Assembly

You can also choose on the type of floating ball valve by looking at the mode of assembly.

Here, you can choose from the following types of floating ball valves based on the assembly.

1. One Piece Floating Ball Valve
2. Two Piece Floating Ball Valve

• Three Piece Floating Ball Valve

Are there Actuated Floating Ball Valves?

Yes, you can also opt for the floating ball valves with actuators also known as the actuated floating ball valves.

In fact, all the floating ball valves have actuators which you will use in closing the valves on the floating ball valves.

Floating ball valves have a connection to the stem which often moves the whole thing when you move the actuator.

You can opt for the different types of actuators depending on the application specifications of the floating ball valves.

Here are some of the actuators that you can opt for:

• Bear Stem Actuators
• Gear Actuators
• Hand lever Actuators
• Pneumatic Actuator
• Hydraulic Actuator
• Gas Actuators
• Motor Operated Actuators
• Electro/hydraulic Actuators
• Gas-over-oil actuator
• Motor-operated actuator
• Hydraulic Operated Actuators

Which are the Different Floating Ball Valve Body Designs?

There are quite a number of designs for the floating ball valves body that you can choose from. You should also note that, there are custom designs of the floating ball valves that you can opt for.

Here are the main body designs for the floating ball valves.

One Piece Floating Ball Valve Design

This type of floating ball valve has inherent strength and also has very minimal leak paths.

It has a ball going through the body through an entry in the flanges within the pipes and secured with gaskets.

Split Body Floating Ball Valve Design

You can also identify it as the two-piece or three-piece ball valve with the body split in one or two parts. Apart from that, the body is bolted around the ball thus making it very easy to use and maintain.

Top Entry Floating Ball Valve Design

You may consider the rare floating ball valve with the ball coming through the bonnet on top of the valve.

It is also very easy to maintain while the valve remains within the pipeline system especially in welded systems.

Top Entry Floating Ball Valve

Fully Welded Floating Ball Valve Design

In this case, you will get an all-welded construction of a floating ball valve that cannot be maintained. It is the best type of floating ball valve that you will use in gas pipeline that do not require leaks.

What are the Main Parts of Floating Ball Valve?

You can opt for the floating ball valve in most applications because it has basic parts of ball valves. Apart from the basic parts of the ball valves, you will also have additional parts on the floating ball valves.

Here are the main parts that you will find on the floating ball valves.

Body

The body is the main part of the floating ball valve which houses every moving part. You may have the body of the floating ball valves divided into one unit or a series of different units.

Adapter

You will use the adapter to connect the ball valve to the stem of the floating ball valves.

Ball

The ball is the main part that will either allow the fluid to flow through the pipe system. It has a hole that will allow water to pass through the pipeline system or block it by changing position.

Seat

This is the part that has the O-rings that will help in sealing the floating ball valves. It makes a very tight connection that will reduce any form of leakage through the pipe system.

Stem

This is the part of the floating ball valve that connects the ball to the actuator. It distributes the action or motion from the actuator all the way to the ball thus turning at different angles.

Gland

You will depend on the gland of the floating ball valves to seal the rotating points of the floating ball valves. It will prevent the fluid within the reciprocating parts from leaking through to the surface or actuator

Antistatic Spring

You will use the antistatic spring to reduce static charge that is generated due to friction on the floating ball valve.

It will protect the floating ball valve against sparks that may cause a fire especially when it carries flammable fuel.

How does a Floating Ball Valve Work?

In critical operations, you will need the floating ball valves to provide tight seals thus shutting off flow. The mode of operation will depend on the application specifications of the floating ball valve.

In this case, we are going to look at how the floating ball valves in stooping and releasing water flow in hydroelectric plant.

Step One: Proper Position Installation

First, you will have to install the floating ball valve in the right position for effective results.

Here, you can weld in or connect the floating ball valves to the pipeline using bolts. As soon as the floating ball valve is in place, you can proceed with the normal operations.

Step Two: Opening the Floating Ball Valve

Here, you will use the actuator to control the opening of the floating ball valves. You will turn the actuator to an angle of 90 degrees which in turn moves the stem of the valves.

Since the stem is connected to the ball, it will also rotate the ball thus placing the hollow side parallel to pipeline. In this case, the valve is open and the water can flow freely through the pipeline.

As this happens, the pressure from the onstream usually moves the ball thus making it in contact with downstream seat. It will form a tight seal that will prevent the entry of water into the body of the valve.

Parts of Floating Ball Valve

Step Three: Closing the Floating Ball Valve

Here, you will still use the actuator to move the ball in a quarter turn or 90 degrees. As this happens, the hollow side of the floating ball valve will become perpendicular to the pipeline.

The upstream seat will then be pushed by the onstream pressure to the downstream seat thus forming tight seals. This will close the valve and then stop the flow of water within the pipeline system effectively.

It has a bidirectional shutoff that you can explore allowing medium flow from different directions without valve interference.

What is the Floating Ball Valve Installation Procedure?

Installing the floating ball valve is one of the simplest tasks that you can ever perform. All you need to have is the floating ball valve and a wrench to tighten the bolts.

Here is a step-by-step process that you can follow to securely install the floating ball valve.

First, you will prepare the pipe where you will install the floating ball valve. Make sure that it is clean and free of debris that might affect the installation process.

After that, you will insert the nut into the pipes on both sides. As soon as they are in place, you can place the floating ball valves in any direction.

Starting with one pipe, you will tighten the nut over the rings of the pipe and the floating ball valve. Repeat the process on the other side of the floating ball valve and then tighten using a wrench.

Make sure that you test the floating ball valve connections for any leaks. If not, you can proceed with the application specifications of the floating ball valves.

Can you use Floating Ball Valves for Throttling Purposes?

No, you cannot use the floating ball valve for throttling services because they are shut-off valves. They are not capable of regulating medium flow thus making it impossible for throttling services.

What are the Advantages of Floating Ball Valve?

You should opt for the floating ball valve in most of your applications due to the benefits.

Here are the main advantages that you will experience with the use of the floating ball valves.

Small Flow Resistance

You should use the floating ball valves because they have very small flow resistance thus allowing proper fluid flow.

Simple Structure

It also has a very simple structure that you can easily install, clean and maintain without too much effort.

Good Sealing Performance

In addition to that, it has the perfect seal that does not allow leakage through any joints thus increasing efficiency.

Cost Effective

Depending on the different types and sizes, you will purchase the floating ball valves at very affordable prices.

What is the Ideal Material for Floating Ball Valve Seat?

Well, there are quite a number of materials that you can use to make the floating ball valve.

Here are the main materials that you can use to manufacture the floating ball valves.

• PTFE Plastic Materials
• Carbon Steel Materials
• Titanium Materials
• Low Temperature Carbon Steel that is impact tested.
• Austenitic or Ferritic Stainless Steel (such as duplex or super duplex)
• Austenitic Stainless Steel
• Hardened Stainless Steel
• Low Alloyed and High Strength Stainless Steel
• Exotic Materials

How Many Seats does a Floating Ball Valve Have?

In a floating ball valve, there are two main seats that control the functions of the valve.

Here are the main seats that you will see on the floating ball valves.

Upstream Seat

This is the place on the upper side of the valve where the ball will rest when under pressure from opposite direction.

Downstream Seat

This is the resting place on the floating ball valve where the ball will rest when under pressure from the upstream.

Which are the Seating Technology Applied in Floating Ball Valve Design?

There are two main setting technology that you can apply in the floating ball valve design.

Here are the main technologies that you can employ or apply in the floating ball valve design.

Jam Seats

Here, you will use excess materials in the design of the seat thus causing a jam around the ball. In the long run, the seat will have a compression against the ball within the body wall of the floating ball valves.

It will help in creating proper tension and compression that will create a very tight seal thus preventing leakage.

Flexible Seats

In this technology, the system uses stored energy that will help in compensating for changes in pressure and thermal compensation.

It takes advantage of elastic deformation which will reduce the chances of plastic deformation thus increasing durability and functionality.

What are the Advantages of Balancing the Pressure within the Cavity and Upstream Pressure of Floating Ball Valve?

It is very important to equalize pressure within the cavity and the upstream pressure.

Here are the main advantages that you will experience by doing proper pressure equalization.

• It reduces friction between the parts thus causing less damage and reducing risk of causing fire.
• Minimizes any form of damage that may occur on the seats.
• Provides lower operation torque thus saving on energy

Is Floating Ball Valve Bidirectional or Unidirectional?

Floating ball vales are bidirectional thus allowing you to install it in any way you feel like. Implying that, you can install the floating ball valve facing any direction with both sides working the same.

 Side-Entry Floating Ball Valve

What is the Role of Radial Grooves in Floating Ball Valve?

Radial grooves do not make the valves unidirectional thus leaving it in bidirectional option. Since the floating ball valves are downstream sealing devices, the radial groove may not offer much help.

In many cases, the radial grooves only affect sealing within the upstream seat and not the downstream seat.

Radial valves do not affect sealing of downstream seat because as it forces the ball into the internal valve. It will eventually lead to sealing on the backside on the downstream seat of the floating ball valve.

How do you Solve the Increased Cavity Pressure because of Thermal Fluid Expansion Issue in Floating Ball Valve?

Increase in cavity pressure may lead to extreme damages or explosions on the floating ball valve. Since such occurrence is rare, there are special procedures that you can follow to solve the problem.

In case it happens, you can bore or drill a hole from the top of the stem of the floating ball valves. The air pressure will definitely escape through the hole thus easing the functioning process of the floating ball valve.

You should, however, be careful and drill the hole when the ball is in an open position.

What are the Applications of Floating Ball Valve?

The main use of the floating ball valves is to control flow of fluids through different pipeline systems. Implying that, you will only use the floating ball valves in industries that deal with flow of fluids.

Here are the main industries where the floating ball valve will come in handy.

• Oil Mining and Refinery Industry
• Gas supply Industries
• Water Supply Industries
• Sewer Treatment Industries

Are Floating Ball Valves Fire Safe?

Absolutely, you should rest easy knowing that the floating ball valves are fire safe and will not cause fire accidents. You have to ensure that the floating ball valves go through proper fire testing before certification as being fire safe.

In case of a fire, the floating ball valves have the capability of working until proper maintenance is done.

How does Anti-Blowout Floating Ball Valve and Anti-Static Floating Ball Valve Designs Compare?

Among the different designs of floating ball valves, you can either decide to use anti-blow out or antistatic floating ball valve.

Here is a comparison between the two types of floating ball valves by design.

Anti-blow Out Floating Ball Valves

In this case, the ball and the shaft are not attached thus no chance of static charges formation on the device.

Apart from that, it ensures that the shaft can never be blown past the packing when you remove gland bolting.

Anti-Static Floating Ball Valves

This type of floating ball valves helps in reducing the formation of static charges that might ignite flammable fluids.

It has a mechanism that ensures proper electrical continuity between the ball, downstream pipework and the body.

Which are the Important Non-Destructive Examinations for Floating Ball Valve?

Floating ball valves are very important equipment that must be tested well before placing them to work.

You should consider using different non-destructive examinations to ensure that the floating ball valve works very well with minimal interruptions.

Here are the main non-destructive examinations that you can perform on the floating ball valves.

VT – Visual Inspection

You can use your eyes to inspect the surface of the floating ball valves and also observe potential failures. During visual inspection, you must have proper lighting with an instrument that monitors light intensity or the light meter.

PMI – Positive Material Identification

This is a quantitative determination and element identification in percentage of metallic alloys without regards to size, form and shape. You can perform the PMI using highly sophisticated and portable Xray fluorescence spectrometers.

MT – Magnetic Particle Test

You will use this testing method to detect and locate surface and subsurface discontinuities in ferromagnetic materials. During the testing process, it is very important to ensure that the lighting conditions are perfect.

PT – Liquid Penetrant Test

You can also identify it as dye or liquid penetrant inspection which will detect and locate surface defects such as cracks. It involves the use of a penetrant and a developer which will help in revealing the invisible parts to the naked eye.

UT – Ultrasonic Test

This is a test that you can perform on raw materials and critical areas to reliably and accurately detect material discontinuities. It is capable of revealing the extent of damage on the floating ball valve as well as the location of damages.

Are Floating Ball Valves Suitable for High-Pressure Applications?

No, floating valves are not suitable for high pressure application unless you include additional features.

Usually, you will use the floating ball valves for low and medium pressure applications because of a small diameter.

Apart from that, the floating ball valves only provide seals from the downstream side thus exposing the upstream.

You must have a separate mechanism that will help in releasing pressure to use the floating ball valve under high pressure.

What is the Floating Ball Valve Price?

 Forged Floating Ball Valve

Well, the price you will pay for the floating ball valve will vary depending on the type and size. There are special types of floating ball valves that will definitely cost you a lot more than others.

You should also note that an increase in size will definitely require more materials thus increasing price.

Generally, you will pay between 50 and 300 US dollars or higher depending on material and size.

Which are the Quality Standards for Floating Ball Valves?

Just like any other product, quality is paramount for the floating ball valves.

In other words, you have to make sure that the floating ball valves adhere to the right quality certifications.

Here is a list of the main quality certifications that floating ball valves must adhere to.

• API Quality Certifications such as API 6D, API 598, API 607, and API 6FA among others
• ISO Quality Certifications such as ISO TS 29001
• ASME Quality Certifications such as ASME, and ASME B 16.34 among others
• BS Quality Certifications such as BS 6364
• EN Quality Certifications such as EN 12266-1
• RoHS Quality Certifications

At Kinvalve, we help you get the best floating ball valve depending on your specific needs and requirements.

We also support OEM businesses besides competitive prices on all floating ball valves.

Contact us today for all your floating ball valve needs.