22.07.2026 13:16
Ball valves are a range of quarter-turn valves used to control water, natural gas, compressed air, petroleum products, steam and various industrial fluids. The perforated sphere in the valve allows the flow to be opened or closed by rotating the lever or actuator 90 degrees.Choosing the right ball valve is important for the safety of the installation, energy efficiency, sealing performance and equipment life. A selection based on pipe diameter alone is not sufficient. Fluid type, working pressure, temperature, connection shape, body material and sealing elements should be evaluated together. 1. Determine Fluid TypeIn the ball valve selection, the fluid to pass through the valve should be determined first. Ball valves can be used in the following fluids:
Clean water
Waste water
Natural gas
LPG
Compressed air
Steam
Hydraulic oil
Fuel
Chemical liquids
Industrial process fluids
Each fluid may require a different body and sealant.For example, in natural gas lines, ball valves with documented suitability for gas use and meeting the relevant standards should be used. In chemical lines, stainless steel bodies resistant to the corrosive properties of the fluid and suitable gasket materials should be preferred. 2. Select Nominal Diameter of DN
DN refers to the nominal passage diameter of the valve.The valve diameter must be compatible with the size of the pipeline to be connected. Common measures include:
DN15
DN20
DN25
DN32
DN40
DN50
DN65
DN80
DN100
DN125
DN150
DN200
Incorrect DN selection can cause installation problems, change of flow rate, pressure loss and degradation of system performance. Attention should be paid not only to the pipe diameter, but also to the flow rate required by the system.When necessary, Kv or Cv flow coefficient should be calculated in valve selection. 3. Determine Working Pressure and PN Class
The PN value indicates the nominal pressure class that the valve can withstand under certain conditions. Pressure classes commonly used in industrial installations:
PN10
PN16
PN25
PN40
PN63
PN100The pressure class of the valve must not be lower than the maximum operating pressure of the system. Situations such as pump starts, sudden pressure rises and water hammer should also be evaluated. For example, if the normal operating pressure of the system is 14 bar, only 14 bar value should be ignored. The maximum pressure and temperature conditions that may occur in the system should be taken into account and the appropriate safety margin should be left 4.Check Operating Temperature
The temperature the valve can withstand does not depend solely on the body material. Globe bearing, gasket, packing and other sealing elements also affect the temperature limit. Common sealants:
PTFE
It is a low-friction material used for water, air, oil, gas and many chemical fluids. Widely preferred in general industrial applications.RPTFE
It is a glass fiber or PTFE material reinforced with different additives. It can provide higher compressive and temperature resistance than standard PTFE peek
It is an engineering material suitable for high temperature, high pressure and heavy working conditions. Metal Bearing
It is preferred at very high temperatures, in abrasive fluids and in applications where soft seals are not suitable.When selecting the valve, the pressure-temperature table of the manufacturer must be checked. 5. Select Full Bore or Narrow Bore Valve
Full Bore Ball Valve
In full bore ball valves, the bore diameter in the sphere is designed to be close to the inside diameter of the pipe. Advantages:Low pressure loss
High flow capacity
Suitability for cleaning the pipeline
Lower turbulence
Availability of models suitable for pig transition
Full bore ball valves are preferred in main lines, power plants and applications requiring high flow rates. Narrow Bore Ball Valve
In narrow passage valves, the passage area inside the sphere is smaller than the inside diameter of the pipe. Advantages:More compact structure
Lower weight
Economic cost
Easy installation in small spaces
It can be used in auxiliary installations where pressure loss is not critical. 6. Determine Connection Type
Flanged Ball Valve
It is used in large diameter and industrial pipelines. Assembly and disassembly are easy. It can be produced in different flange pressure classes such as PN10, PN16, PN25 and PN40.Threaded Ball ValveIt is common in small-scale water, air, oil and gas installations. It is a compact and economical connection solution. Welded Ball Valve
It is used in systems that require high sealing and permanent connection. Since it is welded to the pipeline, the possibility of leakage at the connection points can be reduced. Socket Welded Ball Valve
It is generally preferred in small diameter and high pressure installations.Wafer Type Ball Valve
It is a type of compact valve mounted between two flanges. It provides an advantage in installations where the installation space is limited. 7. Select Body Material
Ductile Iron Body
It can be used in water, fire installations, irrigation systems and general industrial applications. It is a durable and economical option. Carbon Steel Body
It is preferred in oil, gas, energy and high pressure industrial installations.Stainless Steel Body
Used in chemical, food, pharmaceutical, marine and corrosive environments. High corrosion resistance. Brass Body
It is common in residential installations, small diameter water lines, compressed air and suitable gas applications. The choice of material should take into account not only the fluid but also the external environment in which the valve is located.Suitable coating and material should be selected against external corrosion in humid, chemical or marine environments. 8. Determine Valve Body Structure
One-Piece Ball Valve
It has a compact and economical structure. It is generally used in small-scale and standard applications. Two-Piece Ball Valve
It is a common valve design that provides ease of maintenance and installation. Three-Piece Ball ValveThe valve body consists of three main parts. There are models that can be intervened in the middle body section without removing the pipe connections. Three-piece ball valves are especially preferred in the following sectors:
Food production
Chemical plants
Pharmaceutical industry
Paint plants
Processes requiring cleaning
Frequent maintenance systems
9. Select Control Shape
Lever Ball Valve
It is turned on and off manually.It is an economical solution in small and medium diameters. Reducing Ball Valve
It is used in valves with large diameters or requiring high torque. It allows the valve to be operated more controlled and with low force. Pneumatic Actuated Ball Valve
It works with compressed air. It is preferred in systems that require fast on-off and automation. Electric Actuated Ball Valve
It is controlled by electric motor.It provides integration with remote control, position indicator and automation systems. Hydraulic Actuated Ball Valve
It can be used in applications with high torque and heavy duty conditions. Valve torque, operating pressure, on-off time, ambient temperature and safe position need should be evaluated in actuator selection. 10. Check the Sealing ClassBall valves generally provide high sealing performance. However, when selecting the valve, the permissible leakage class and test standard should be checked. In particular, sealing is critical in the following applications:
Natural gas lines
LPG systems
Chemical plants
Fuel lines
Steam installations
Hazardous fluid systemsCasing test and site tightness test documents should be requested from the manufacturer in critical projects. 11. Evaluate Additional Safety Features
Depending on the application, the following features may be required:Fire-resistant design
Antistatic property
Explosion proof actuator
Lockable handle
Design to prevent spindle ejection
Emergency shutdown system
Position indicator
Limit switch box
Manual control mechanism
Drain or drain connection
Safety features in oil, natural gas and flammable fluid applications should be determined according to the project specification.Ball Valve Selection Table
Application Recommended valve specification
Clean water line Ductile iron or suitable metal body, PN16 full pass
Natural gas line Suitable for gas use, certified and highly sealed
Compressed air Full pass, suitable pressure class
Steam line With body and protected material suitable for temperature
Chemical liquid Stainless steel and chemical resistant gasket
Food facility Stainless steel, hygienic andcleanable construction
High pressure Forged or carbon steel, suitable pressure class
Automation system Pneumatic or electric actuator
Line requiring frequent maintenance Three-piece ball valve
Large diameter outline Flanged, full bore and reducer
Errors in Ball Valve Selection
The most common selection errors are:Select valve only according to pipe diameter
Ignoring the maximum pressure
Ignoring the effect of temperature on the seal
Using a standard water valve in the gas line
Not checking chemical compatibility
Not evaluating the difference between full bore and narrow bore valves
Insufficient selection of actuator torque
Not checking the flange standard
Ignoring solid particles in the fluid
Maintenance and spare partsnot evaluating the possibility of
Pre-Order Checklist
The following information must be determined before ordering the ball valve:Fluid type
Fluid density and chemical property
Pipe diameter and DN size
Normal working pressure
Maximum system pressure
Minimum and maximum temperature
Desired connection type
Flange standard and pressure class
Body material
Sphere and shaft material
Sit and gasket material
Full or narrow pass preference
Manual or actuated control
Required tests and certificates
Mounting environment and corrosionterms
Conclusion
Choosing the right ball valve is critical to the safe and efficient operation of the system. In valve selection, DN size, PN pressure class, temperature, fluid type, body material, seal, connection type and control method should be evaluated together. VANEX VALVE offers industrial ball valve solutions with different pressure classes and connection options.Completely sharing the working conditions in the selection of project-specific valves makes it easier to determine the right product. Frequently Asked Questions
Can the ball valve be mounted vertically or horizontally? Many ball valves can be installed in both horizontal and vertical pipelines. However, for products with actuators and special designs, the manufacturer's installation instructions should be checked.Can the ball valve be used for flow adjustment? Standard ball valves are mainly designed to operate either fully open or fully closed. Special characterized spherical control valves should be preferred for continuous flow adjustment. What does PN16 ball valve mean? PN16 indicates the nominal pressure class of the valve.The actual allowable working pressure may vary depending on the temperature and the materials used. Why choose a full bore ball valve? Full-pass design provides lower pressure loss, higher flow and less turbulence. Can every ball valve be used for natural gas? No.Valves that are documented to be suitable for gas use in natural gas lines and meet the relevant project requirements should be used.
