Common Faults and Troubleshooting Methods of Ball Valves

Aug 10, 2023
Ball valves are commonly used control valves in industrial pipelines, known for their advantages such as simple structure, low flow resistance, and good sealing. However, during usage, ball valves may experience some common issues, including valve sticking, leakage, and seepage. Let's explore the common faults of ball valves and their corresponding troubleshooting methods.
 
Valve Sticking
When a ball valve is not operated for an extended period or operates ineffectively, it might become stuck, resulting in improper functioning. In such cases, the following steps can be taken for troubleshooting:
  1. Check for blockages caused by foreign objects or debris and remove them if present.
  2. If the valve sticking is due to reasons like bent valve stem or worn sealing surface, repair or replacement of components may be necessary.
Leakage
Leakage is a prevalent issue with ball valves, attributed to various factors such as:
  1. Damaged sealing surfaces: Prolonged usage can lead to wearing of the sealing surfaces, resulting in leakage.
  2. Aging sealing gaskets: The sealing gaskets of the ball valve can also deteriorate over time, becoming soft and unable to tightly fit the valve, causing leakage.
  3. Loose fasteners: Loose fasteners like screws and nuts in the ball valve can also cause leakage.
  4. Improper installation: Incorrect installation of the ball valve can contribute to leakage.
For the above causes, the following actions can be taken respectively:
  1. Replace damaged sealing surfaces: If the sealing surfaces of the ball valve are worn due to extended usage, replacement is necessary.
  2. Replace aging sealing gaskets: If the sealing gaskets of the ball valve are aged and soft, replacement is required.
  3. Tighten loose fasteners: Check for loose fasteners and tighten them if necessary.
  4. Reinstall properly: If improper installation is causing leakage, reinstall the ball valve correctly.
Seepage
Seepage is another common issue with ball valves, caused by factors like:
  1. Aging sealing gaskets: When the sealing gaskets of the ball valve age and become soft, seepage can occur.
  2. Damaged sealing components: Damage to sealing components such as O-rings and packing can lead to seepage.
  3. Deformation of the ball: Ball deformation can also result in seepage.
To address the above causes, the following actions should be taken respectively:
  1. Replace aging sealing gaskets: If the sealing gaskets of the ball valve are aged and soft, replacement is necessary.
  2. Replace damaged sealing components: For damaged sealing components like O-rings and packing, replacement is required.
  3. Replace the ball: If the ball is deformed, replacement is needed to resolve the seepage issue.
In Conclusion
The aforementioned are common faults of ball valves and their corresponding troubleshooting methods. In case of ball valve faults, timely measures should be taken to ensure proper functioning and smooth industrial production. Additionally, regular maintenance of ball valves is crucial to prevent production accidents.
 

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