Differences and selection criteria between full-bore and reduced-bore ball valves
Product Features:
1. Full-bore ball valves have a uniform flow channel, meaning the size of the channel from the inlet to the outlet is the same. Its size cannot be smaller than the standard specified value and is approximately equivalent to the nominal diameter of the specification. For example, the flow channel diameter of a DN50 full-bore ball valve should also be around 50.
2. Reduced-bore ball valves have a flow channel inlet wider than the flow channel diameter. The actual flow channel diameter is approximately one size smaller than the specification. For example, a DN50 reduced-bore ball valve has a flow channel diameter of approximately 38, roughly equivalent to a DN40 specification. For DN250 and below, it is reduced by one size; for 250-600, it is reduced by two sizes; and for above 600, it depends on the actual situation.
There are many types of full-bore ball valves and reduced-bore ball valves. They can be combined into various functional products based on differences in structure, connection method, pressure rating, and actuation method. However, fundamentally, ball valves can be divided into two main categories: full-bore ball valves and reduced-bore ball valves. Generally speaking, when the inner diameter of the valve ball is less than or equal to 85% of the inner diameter of the valve port, it is called a reduced-bore ball valve; when the inner diameter of the ball valve is greater than 95% of the inner diameter of the valve port, it is called a full-bore ball valve. So, what are the differences in selection and application between the two?
The nominal diameter (or nominal bore) is the common diameter of various pipes and pipe fittings. Pipes and pipe fittings of the same diameter can be connected to each other and are interchangeable. It is not the actual outer or inner diameter of the pipe, although its value is close to or equal to the inner diameter of the pipe.
A reduced-bore ball valve is a valve that controls flow through a closing element. The flow area of the opening of the closing element is smaller than the area of the inner diameter of the pipe. The primary purpose of a reduced-bore ball valve is to control flow rate by reducing or throttling the flow. This is equivalent to adjusting the closing element to provide different flow rates at a given valve opening.
The major difference between full-bore and reduced-bore ball valves lies in their flow path: full-bore ball valves have a uniform flow path width, and its dimensions cannot be smaller than the standard specified value, roughly equivalent to the nominal diameter of that specification. For example, the flow path diameter of a DN50 full-bore ball valve is approximately 50mm. Reduced-bore ball valves, on the other hand, have a flow path inlet wider than the flow path diameter. The actual flow path diameter is approximately one size smaller than the standard specification. For example, the flow path diameter of a DN50 reduced-bore ball valve is approximately 38mm, roughly equivalent to a DN40 specification.
