Industrial Floating Ball Valves for Reliable Flow Isolation
Quarter-turn ball valve solutions designed for dependable on-off flow isolation, pressure-assisted sealing and efficient operation across industrial process and pipeline applications.
Compact Ball Valve Design for Reliable Isolation
A Floating Ball Valve is a quarter-turn rotary valve in which the ball is not rigidly supported by trunnions. Instead, the ball is held between the valve seats and can move slightly under process pressure.
When the valve is open, the bore through the ball aligns with the pipeline, allowing process media to pass through. Rotating the ball by 90 degrees places the solid portion across the flow path and closes the valve.
In the closed position, upstream pressure can push the floating ball against the downstream seat, creating the pressure-assisted sealing action that is characteristic of this design.
A Practical Solution for Industrial On-Off Service
Floating Ball Valves combine a relatively simple construction with quarter-turn operation and pressure-assisted seating, making them suitable for many general industrial isolation duties.
Floating Ball Construction
The ball is allowed to move slightly within the valve body instead of being fixed by trunnion supports.
Quarter-Turn Operation
The ball rotates through approximately 90 degrees between the fully open and fully closed positions.
Pressure-Assisted Sealing
Line pressure can push the floating ball toward the downstream seat when the valve is closed.
Straight-Through Flow Path
In the open position, the ball bore aligns with the pipeline flow path to provide an efficient passage.
Manual or Automated
Depending on the selected configuration, operation can be manual or integrated with an appropriate actuator.
Isolation Applications
Particularly suited to applications requiring reliable opening and closing of process flow.
Engineered for Reliable Valve Operation
Floating Ball Valves provide a combination of compact construction, quick operation and pressure-assisted seating for suitable industrial isolation applications.
Tight Shut-Off
The floating-ball mechanism uses pressure-assisted seating to support reliable shut-off when the valve is closed.
Fast Operation
Quarter-turn operation enables rapid movement between open and closed positions.
Compact Construction
The floating design provides a relatively simple internal arrangement compared with trunnion-mounted ball valves.
Low Operating Effort
Suitable floating designs can offer relatively low operating torque for manual operation and actuator selection.
Flow Efficiency
The open ball bore provides a direct flow passage through the valve.
Multiple Actuation Options
Depending on the application, the valve can be operated manually or paired with a suitable actuator.
Understanding the Floating Ball Valve Working Principle
The operating principle is based on rotating a bored spherical closure element through 90 degrees while allowing the ball to move slightly under line pressure.
Valve in Open Position
The ball bore is aligned with the pipeline, creating a continuous passage for process media.
Stem Rotates the Ball
The stem transfers rotational movement from the handle or actuator to the ball.
Ball Moves to Closed Position
After approximately 90 degrees of rotation, the solid portion of the ball blocks the flow passage.
Pressure Assists Sealing
Upstream process pressure can push the floating ball toward the downstream seat to support sealing.
Why Choose a Floating Ball Valve?
For suitable pressure, temperature, size and media conditions, floating ball valves can provide an effective and economical solution for industrial flow isolation.
Reliable Isolation
Designed primarily to provide dependable opening and closing of process flow.
Pressure-Assisted Seal
Line pressure contributes to seating force when the valve is in the closed position.
Quick Open & Close
Quarter-turn movement allows rapid transition between the open and closed positions.
Simple Construction
The floating arrangement has a relatively straightforward internal design.
Efficient Flow Path
A full bore or suitable bore arrangement can provide a direct flow path when open.
Automation Ready
Suitable configurations can be integrated with pneumatic, electric or other appropriate actuation systems.
Floating Ball Valves Across Industrial Applications
Floating Ball Valves are commonly used in industrial systems where dependable flow isolation and quarter-turn operation are required.
Oil & Gas
Suitable configurations can be used for isolation duties in selected oil and gas process systems.
Chemical Processing
Used in compatible chemical process applications where reliable flow isolation is required.
Petrochemical Plants
Supports on-off flow isolation across suitable process and utility pipeline systems.
Water Treatment
Can be used in suitable water and utility applications requiring dependable isolation.
Power & Utilities
Applicable to selected utility and process services where quarter-turn isolation is required.
General Process Industries
Suitable for compatible industrial liquid and gas applications requiring flow shut-off.
Main Components of a Floating Ball Valve
A typical floating ball valve consists of several components that work together to provide controlled flow isolation. Exact construction varies by product design.
Valve Body
The pressure-containing housing that encloses the internal ball, seats and associated components.
Floating Ball
The spherical closure element with a central bore that controls the flow passage.
Valve Seats
Sealing elements positioned around the ball to help isolate the flow path when closed.
Stem
Transfers rotational movement from the operating mechanism to the ball.
Stem Sealing
Sealing components around the stem help contain process media within the valve assembly.
End Connections
Connection arrangements integrate the valve with the surrounding process piping system.
How to Select the Right Floating Ball Valve
Proper valve selection should be based on the actual process conditions rather than valve size alone.
Identify the liquid, gas or other medium and confirm compatibility with the valve construction and sealing system.
Consider normal, maximum and design pressure requirements when selecting the appropriate valve.
Valve body, seats and sealing materials should be suitable for the expected temperature range.
Select the appropriate nominal size based on pipeline requirements, flow conditions and installation details.
Seat selection should consider process medium, temperature, pressure and required sealing performance.
Determine whether manual operation or automated actuation is required for the process.
Need Help Selecting a Floating Ball Valve?
FMV Valve Automation can help review your application based on process medium, pressure, temperature, line size and operating requirements.
Share your technical requirement to identify a suitable floating ball valve configuration for your process.
Discuss Your RequirementFloating Ball Valve vs Trunnion Mounted Ball Valve
Both designs use a rotating ball for flow isolation, but their ball-support arrangements and typical application ranges differ.
Floating Ball Valve
The ball is not rigidly supported by trunnions and can move slightly under line pressure to assist downstream seating.
Trunnion Mounted Ball Valve
The ball is mechanically supported by fixed trunnions, making the design suitable for applications where the closure loads require additional support.
Industrial Valve Solutions Focused on Application Requirements
FMV Valve Automation focuses on industrial valve and flow-control solutions selected around actual process, installation and operating requirements.
Floating Ball Valve Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Floating Ball Valve operation, applications and selection.
What is a Floating Ball Valve?
A Floating Ball Valve is a quarter-turn rotary valve in which the ball is not fixed by trunnion supports. The ball can move slightly under process pressure and is held between valve seats.
How does a Floating Ball Valve work?
The ball contains a central bore. When the bore aligns with the pipeline, the valve is open. Rotating the ball approximately 90 degrees places the solid portion across the flow path and closes the valve.
Why is it called a Floating Ball Valve?
The name comes from the fact that the ball is not rigidly fixed by trunnion shafts and can move slightly within the valve body.
What is pressure-assisted sealing?
When the valve is closed, upstream process pressure can push the floating ball toward the downstream seat, increasing the seating force and supporting shut-off.
What are Floating Ball Valves mainly used for?
They are primarily used for flow isolation and on-off service in suitable industrial process and pipeline applications.
Can a Floating Ball Valve be automated?
Yes. Depending on the valve configuration and required torque, a suitable pneumatic, electric or other compatible actuator can be used for automated operation.
What is the difference between Floating and Trunnion Ball Valves?
In a Floating Ball Valve, the ball can move slightly and is supported primarily by the seats. In a Trunnion Mounted Ball Valve, the ball is mechanically supported by fixed trunnions.
Are Floating Ball Valves suitable for throttling?
Floating Ball Valves are primarily intended for isolation and on-off service. Continuous throttling should only be considered when the specific valve design is intended and approved for that duty.
How do I select a Floating Ball Valve?
Selection should consider process medium, pressure, temperature, valve size, seat material, connection type, operating requirements and whether manual or automated operation is required.
Can FMV help with Floating Ball Valve selection?
Yes. Share your process and technical requirements with FMV Valve Automation for application-based product guidance.
Need the Right Floating Ball Valve?
Discuss your process requirements with FMV Valve Automation and find a suitable valve solution for your application.