Floating Ball Valve
A ball valve where the ball is not fixed to the body - it 'floats' between two seat rings and is pushed against the downstream seat by line pressure to seal. Suitable for NPS 1/2"–6", Class 150–900. Above 6" or Class 900+, trunnion-mounted design is preferred for lower operating torque.
Related Terms
Related Products
Applicable Standards
Specification for Pipeline and Piping Valves
API 6D is the most widely cited standard for pipeline and piping valves in the oil and gas industry.
Steel Ball Valves for Petroleum, Petrochemical and Allied Industries
BS 5351 is the British Standard covering steel ball valves for the petroleum, petrochemical, and allied industries, serving a similar purpose to API 6D and API 608 but tailored for the UK and European market requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Floating Ball Valve?
A ball valve where the ball is not fixed to the body - it 'floats' between two seat rings and is pushed against the downstream seat by line pressure to seal. Suitable for NPS 1/2"–6", Class 150–900. Above 6" or Class 900+, trunnion-mounted design is preferred for lower operating torque.
What is a Floating Ball Valve used for?
Floating Ball Valves are used in industrial piping systems for on-off isolation, flow control, or backflow prevention depending on the valve type. They are selected based on the process fluid, operating pressure and temperature, required shutoff class, and pipeline size. Vajra Industrial Solutions supplies Floating Ball Valves certified to API 6D, ASME B16.34, and other applicable standards.
How do I select the right Floating Ball Valve for my application?
Selecting the correct Floating Ball Valve requires specifying: (1) nominal pipe size (NPS/DN), (2) pressure class per ASME B16.34, (3) body and trim material based on fluid compatibility and temperature, (4) end connections (flanged RF/RTJ, butt-weld, socket-weld, or threaded), (5) required certifications (API 6D, ISO 9001, fire-safe API 607). Contact Vajra Industrial Solutions at sales@vajravyuh.com with your specifications for a quote.
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