There are significant differences between full bore ball valves and reduced bore ball valves in terms of structure, applicable media, process requirements, advantages and disadvantages. When selecting, it is necessary to judge based on specific working conditions. The following is a detailed introduction:

Difference

1. Definition and channel size

• Full bore ball valve: It is a flow channel with equal width, and the size of the hole from the inlet to the outlet is consistent. The size cannot be smaller than the standard specified value and is equivalent to the diameter of this specification. For example, the flow path diameter of a DN50 full bore ball valve needs to be around 50.

• Reduced diameter ball valve: The inlet of the flow channel is wider than the diameter of the flow channel, and the actual diameter of the flow channel is approximately one size smaller than this specification. The diameter of the DN50 reduced diameter ball valve channel is about 38, which is roughly equivalent to the specifications of DN40. Shrink one specification within DN250, two specifications between 250-600, and depending on the actual situation above 600.

2. Applicable media

• Full bore ball valve: generally used for conveying viscous and slag prone media pipelines. Due to its low fluid resistance, there is basically no flow resistance, making it convenient for regular wax scraping and blowing devices to pass through.

• Reduced diameter ball valve: suitable for pipelines that transport gases or media with physical properties similar to water. Its weight is about 30% lighter than a full bore ball valve, and its flow resistance is about 1/7 of that of a globe valve with the same diameter, which is beneficial for reducing pipeline load and lowering costs.

3. Applicable process

• Full bore ball valve: For pipelines that require regular cleaning, regardless of the medium being transported, full bore ball valves must be used. The medium passing through the full bore ball valve will not reduce the flow rate and has low flow resistance, making it an ideal product for pipeline control, especially under strict working conditions. When the main pipelines in oil and gas pipelines need to be buried underground, full bore welded ball valves must be used.

• Reduced diameter ball valve: suitable for working conditions with low requirements and low flow resistance. When the inner diameter of the valve is greater than 80% of the inner diameter of the pipe end, it has almost no effect on the fluid flow capacity of the pipeline.

4. Advantages and disadvantages

• Full bore ball valve: With low fluid resistance and almost no flow resistance, it can achieve full flow passage and meet the requirements for transporting large flow fluids. It also has good cleaning function. But the cost is relatively high.

• Shrinkage ball valve: lightweight, can reduce pipeline load, lower costs, and have low flow resistance. However, reducing the diameter will decrease the flow capacity of the valve, increase the pressure on both sides of the valve, cause energy loss, and may increase the flushing of the pipeline.

Select

1. Full bore ball valve: suitable for occasions with high flow requirements and regular pipeline cleaning, such as large oil and gas transmission pipelines, as well as some pipeline systems that require rapid emptying or filling. It is also used for the main pipelines of large chemical production plants, water supply and drainage and water treatment systems in the chemical industry, inlet and outlet pipelines of large water treatment plants, cooling water pipelines and desalinated water pipelines in thermal power plants, etc.

2. Reduced diameter ball valve: suitable for pipelines with low flow requirements, low flow resistance requirements, and media that transport gases or physical properties similar to water, and can be prioritized in some cost sensitive operating conditions.