3 Piece Ball Valve
A three piece ball valve is a type of valve that consists of 3 separate body parts, a main body and two connection ends. The connection ends are typically threaded to the pipe allowing for the main body to be easily removed for cleaning and servicing with out the need to unthread the connection ends. This makes the 3 piece valve ideal for applications that where regular cleaning or frequent maintenance is required where the internal components need to be cleaned or replaced without removing the entire valve from the pipeline. Three piece valves are a type of two-way ball valve, since they allow for the fluid to flow in either direction straight through from the inlet to the outlet. They are often threaded ball valves making them quick and easy to install. Another advantage of the 3 way valves are that they are full port ball valves with a full bore allowing for a maximum flow rate. 3 piece stainless steel ball valves are widely used for a variety of sanitary applications such as food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and chemical processing as well as in the oil and gas industries, wherever frequent maintenance and sanitation are required.
- Threaded Connection: Female Threads x Female Threads
- Port: Full Port Valve (Full Bore)
- Pressure: Rated to 1000 PSI
- Seals: PTFE/Teflon (Heat and Chemical Resistant)
- Handle: Lever Type with Latch Lock and Blow Out Proof Stem
- Sizes: 1/4" up to 4"
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3-Piece Design
a 3-Piece design consists of two end connections and a main body part. The two end connections are usually threaded and connect to the pipe line. The main body part lies in between these end connections and is held in place by four pairs of bolts and nuts that are located on the outside of the valve. The main body houses the internal ball, seals and stem.
Dissembling a 3 Piece Ball Valve
To take apart a 3-piece design one needs to loosen and remove the 4 bolts and nuts that connect the main valve body to the end connections. This allows for the main body part to be separated from the end connections without disturbing their connection to the piping system. Within the main body the internal components can be accessed for cleaning and replacement. This is the key advantage of a 3-Piece design is the ability to separate and remove the main valve body while leaving the end connections attached to the piping system.
3 Piece Ball Valve vs 2 Piece
The primary difference between a 3-Piece and a 2-Piece valve lies in their construction and as a result the associated convenience in maintenance. As the names suggest the 3-Piece is composed of 3 separate components while the 2-Piece is composed of just 2 body parts. The 3 piece design is made out of two end connections and a main body part, and this allows for a easy disassembly and cleaning of the internal parts without needing to remove the valve from the pipeline. In contrast the 2-Piece has only two body parts which generally means that the entire valve has to be removed from the pipe line in order to be serviced. In summary the key difference is the 3-Piece designs' ability to easily access the valves internal components for maintenance.
