The correct installation can ensure the optimal performance of the ball valve and guarantee the normal operation of the pipeline system, below points must be noted during operation:
***Preparation before installation of ball valve:
1. The front and rear pipelines should be coaxial, and the sealing surfaces of the two flanges should be parallel. The pipeline should be able to withstand the weight of the ball valve, otherwise appropriate support must be provided on the pipeline.
2. Blow clean the pipelines before and after the valve, remove oil stains, welding slag, and all other impurities from the pipeline.
3. Check the markings of the ball valve to ensure that it is intact and undamaged. Fully open and close the valve several times to confirm its normal operation.
4. Remove the protective components from the connecting flanges at both ends of the ball valve.
5. Check the valve hole to remove any possible dirt, and then clean the valve hole. Even small particles of foreign matter between the valve seat and the ball may damage the sealing surface of the valve seat.
***Ball valve installation:
1. Install the ball valve onto the pipeline, and any end of the ball valve can be installed on the upstream end. The ball valve driven by a handle can be installed at any position on the pipeline. But with a gearbox or pneumatic ball valve, it should be installed upright, that is, installed on a horizontal pipeline, and the driving device should be above the pipeline.
2. Install a sealing gasket between the valve flange and the pipeline flange according to the pipeline design requirements.
3. The bolts on the flange need to be tightened symmetrically, gradually, and evenly.
4. Connect pneumatic pipelines (when using pneumatic actuators).
***The use of ball valves:
1. It is necessary to confirm that the pressure in the upstream and downstream pipelines of the ball valve has been relieved before proceeding with disassembly and assembly operations.
2. Non metallic parts should be immediately removed from the cleaning agent after cleaning and should not be soaked for a long time.
3. The bolts on the flange must be tightened symmetrically, gradually, and evenly during assembly.
4. The cleaning agent should be compatible with the rubber parts, plastic parts, metal parts, and working media (such as gas) in the ball valve. When the working medium is gas, gasoline (GB484-89) can be used to clean metal parts. Non metallic parts should be cleaned with purified water or alcohol.
5. Each individual ball valve component that has been disassembled can be cleaned by immersion washing. Metal parts that have not yet decomposed can be cleaned with a clean and fine silk cloth soaked in cleaning agent (to prevent fibers from falling off and adhering to the parts). During cleaning, all grease, dirt, adhesive buildup, dust, and other substances adhering to the wall surface must be removed.
6. When disassembling and reassembling ball valves, care must be taken to prevent damage to the sealing surfaces of the parts, especially non-metallic parts. Special tools should be used when removing the O-ring.
7. After cleaning, it is necessary to wait for the wall cleaning agent to evaporate (which can be wiped with a silk cloth that has not been soaked in cleaning agent) before assembly, but it should not be left for a long time, otherwise it will rust and be contaminated by dust.
8. New parts also need to be cleaned thoroughly before assembly.
9. Lubricate with grease. Lubricating grease should be compatible with the metal material, rubber parts, plastic parts, and working medium of the ball valve. When the working medium is gas, special 221 lubricating grease can be used, for example. Apply a thin layer of grease on the surface of the seal installation groove, a thin layer of grease on the rubber seal, and a thin layer of grease on the sealing and friction surfaces of the valve stem.
