While top entry ball valves and side entry ball valves share similarities with regards to their primary functionalities and design, they differ greatly when it comes to the way the valves are installed and maintained.
In context, both valves are utilized for liquid and gas flow control through their pipelines by making use of a holed ball through its centerpiece. Learn more about the distinctions between those two valves following these particular points of comparison:
-Design structure
-How they are maintained and operated
-Sealing ability
-Pressure resistance capabilities
-Temperature tolerance
-Cost comparison
What Is a Top Entry Ball Valve?
Top entry ball valves is a kind of ball valve also used in piping systems, which feature a removable top trunnion. From this top portion, this valve allows you to access its internal structure.
The ball valves are preferred chiefly because they are easier to maintain, repair, and replace when needed. This simplicity and design in operation makes it very popular in piping systems.
What Is a Side Entry Ball Valve?
Learning about top entry ball valves from earlier, you can easily deduce what the other type is all about. Side entry ball valves are those whose ball is assembled from its inner side. This ball features a body in two or three pieces, with each piece bolts and studs connect.
While they are also popular, they are used mainly for high performance industries, such as transmission lines, crude oil, natural gas, measuring stations, reinjection, compression, and pumping units, among others. With these use cases, it can be challenging to top side entry ball valves.
Top Entry Ball Valve vs. Side Entry: Key Differences
1. Design Structure
Simplicity is what characterizes the design structure of a top entry ball valve. Its structure starts with the housing, which contains the ball, while another piece is present to hold its internal parts together. This layout paves the way for easier cleaning, inspection, and repair.
Then, the valve’s body. Made from one-piece material, this design ensures it stays strong even at the highest operating pressures. Additionally, also contributing to its proper maintenance are its connective bolts and margin wall thickness. Its piping connection is also unique.
With regards to the handle, it is also located on top, movable so the hollow ball within this valve also moves for adjusting the fall. Except for its top-end design, a top entry ball valve generally works just like a normal ball valve.
Meanwhile, the design structure of side entry ball valves is best described as more traditional, yet formidable. The valve body is usually split into two or more pieces. The ball is placed in between. Thus, you can easily attach together or detach the valve’s components from the side.
Furthermore, the internal parts – the ball, stem, and seals – can easily be accessed when the valve needs to be cleaned.
2. Maintenance and Operation
Top entry ball valves are easier to maintain compared with the side entry. With the former, you won’t need to remove the valve from its pipeline, since you can quickly access its internal components for repair.
Tending side entry ball valves can relatively be more complicated, since you must fully remove its components from the pipeline. Time-consuming and labor-intensive compared to top entry ball valves.
Regarding operation, top entry ball valves typically require lower operating torque because of their design, which means they are ideal for both manual and automated operations. That being said, side entry ball valves may require higher operating torque, also due to their design, which is a disadvantage as this complicates certain applications.
3. Sealing Ability
When it comes to sealing ability, the top entry ball valves are the clear winner. Aside from their detachable top cover, allowing for easier access for maintenance, they also make use of advanced sealing materials, suitable for aggressive fluids. Therefore, their sealing abilities are top-notch and minimal leakage occurs in extreme conditions.
In contrast, because side entry ball valves feature split-body designs, they may be affected by leakage, and may not perform well under high-pressure or high-temperature situations.
4. Pressure Resistance
Making sure ball valves are completely resistant against pressure is important because this shields the valve from deforming, leaking, or bursting under pressure. This is crucial in industries where pressure levels can rise and fall.
The structure of top entry ball valves can handle various ranges of pressures, while side entry ball valves, due to their split-body design, may introduce potential leak points, limiting their effectiveness.
5. Temperature Tolerance
The ability of ball valves to tolerate temperature ensures they work well and maintain their integrity even under fluctuating operating temperatures.
In this instance, it may be hard to distinguish which is better. A side entry ball valve’s temperature tolerance depends on its seat type. The soft-seated valve type is ideal for temperatures below around 260 degrees Celsius, while metal-seated ones are best for temperature ranges up to 540 degrees Celsius.
Similarly, for a top entry ball valve’s tolerance for temperature, it also depends on whether they are soft- or metal-seated. The former is preferred for lower temperature ranges, while the latter is built for high-temperature industries. You can see why it’s hard to choose a winner at this point. How about the cost?
6. Cost Comparison
Considering the design and functionalities of those two types of ball valves, you’ll immediately go for the top entry ball valve. However, those valves are more expensive than the side entry type, so be sure to weigh your options.
Pro tip: top entry ball valves may be more pricey, but with their less need for maintenance, you can save on the costs in the long-term, compared to the repair costs that may incur with side entry ball valves.
The Verdict: Which is Better for Your Application?
While it is clear that top entry ball valves trump over side entry ball valves in terms of design, maintenance, operation, sealing ability, and pressure resistance, they are head-to-head in terms of temperature tolerance, and the latter is less costly.
But, even if top entry ball valves are the winner in this race, you can still invest in side entry ball valves since, aside from being cost-effective, they require less space and can handle more complicated operations. At the end of the day, make sure to know your needs and match them with the attributes of these valves.
Should you decide to purchase a top entry ball valve, consider getting them at ONERO. Their top entry ball valves check all the right boxes for most of the comparison points presented above. Their technical specifications make them a standout on the market. See the rest of ONERO’s catalog 또는 get in touch with them to learn more.
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