In most gas lines throughout Texas, a ball valve is used to either turn on or turn off the flow of natural gas. This is mainly a critical consideration in gas lines, as the valve in the off position has to be completely sealed and now allow for any leakage of natural gas.
To ensure this type of protection from leaks when in the off position, several design features are included in gas ball valves. These are not that different from a standard ball valve that may be used in any type of system from pneumatic systems through to water lines or even in food and beverage production equipment and lines.
The Ball Valve
All gas ball valves, and all general ball valves are designed to be quarter turn valves. They have an external control that is a lever that is either turned, so the handle is parallel to the line or perpendicular to the line for the on and off positions. This makes it easy to see immediately if the valve is open or closed.
The quarter turn feature also makes it a very fast valve to operate. As soon as the handle is rotated the 90 degrees, the system is either on, or it is off. While the ball valves can be used for the general regulation of the flow, it is not a good option for any type of fine flow control, and it is not the primary function of the valve.
A gas ball valves can be made of brass, carbon steel or stainless steel. All of these valves are rated to different pressures, and it is essential to choose a valve that is designed to operate at the high end of the pressure range for the system.
Look for a locking handle and a fire-safe design on these types of valves. For many applications in Texas, regulations, and codes specify the type of ball valves that are acceptable for use in the application.