What Types of 3-Way Ball Valves Are There?
A three way ball valve can be classified as either an L-port or a T-port. Flow can be sent one way or the other or shut off completely through an L-Port. Unlike an L-Port, a T-Port cannot be shut off, but it performs all the same functions. Moreover, the T-Port can send and receive flows from both sides of the Tee, mixing flows. There are two kinds of openings in the ball: "T" and "L".
How a 3-Way Ball Valve Works
L-ports and T-ports are the two different classifications of 3-way ball valves. The L-Port is capable of sending flow one way or the other or shutting it off completely. There is no way to shut off a T-Port, unlike an L-Port, but it still performs all of the same functions as an L-Port. Additionally, the T-Port can send and receive flows from both sides of the Tee, mixing flows. In the ball, there are two types of openings: Ts and Ls.
Which Type of 3-Way Ball Valve Is Best?
The best type of 3-way ball valve depends on whether all three ports will be shut off at any stage of operation or if all three flows will be mixed. If you need to close the valve completely, you should choose an L-port. A T-port is the best choice if all three flows must be mixed.
Does a T-Port 3-Way Valve allow me to shut off all flows while still using a T-Port 3-Way Valve?
A separate valve must be added to the two opposite branches of a T-port 3-way valve to shut off all flows. Close the two valves and turn the ball in the 3-way valve to face the rear of the valve to close the flow. Rather than installing multiple valves on each branch, a tee piece would be a better option.
How to Determine the Direction of Flow in a 3-Way Ball Valve
The handle of a 3-way ball valve has an indicator that mimics the cutout section of the ball inside. The flow direction(s) through the valve can be determined by referring to this mark.
With a 3-Way Valve, why won't my flows mix properly?
It is important that both feed pipes of a 3-way T-port valve have the same, consistent static pressure head and that the pipework be large enough to ensure that the static pressure head does not change significantly when flow rates are changed. This ensures that flows are mixed accurately. In contrast, mixed flows from pumped supplies are harder to balance, unless the pumps are fitted with constant-pressure inverters. In the absence of this, the pressures in the pipe and the mixing ratios will also change over time. Sometimes it takes hours or days for the change to be large enough to be noticed.
What is the difference between a 3-way valve and a 3-way union?
There is always the possibility of a valve becoming blocked or worn out at some point in its lifetime. For servicing or replacing the valve body, unions or bolted flanges are provided on the valve.
When it comes to 3-Way Ball Valves, Here's What You Should Know
In L-Port valves, the flow can only be directed 90 degrees or fully stopped
The flow can be directed in any direction with a T-Port valve, but it cannot be completely stopped
Servicing is much easier when the valve has unions or flanges at each port
On the handle, the arrow diagram indicates where the cut-out ball is positioned inside the valve.
To mix flows using a T-Port valve, the dynamic head of the two streams should be the same