What is the difference between a ball valve and a plug valve?

What is a plug valve?
The plug valve is a shut-off or plunger-shaped rotary valve. The passage port on the valve plug is the same as or separated from the passage port on the valve body by rotating 90 degrees to achieve opening or closing. The shape of the plug of the plug valve can be cylindrical or conical. In a cylindrical valve plug, the channel is generally rectangular; in a tapered valve plug, the channel is trapezoidal. These shapes make the structure of the plug valve lighter, but at the same time it also produces a certain loss. The plug valve is suitable for shutting off and connecting the medium and for diversion, but according to the applicable properties and the erosion resistance of the sealing surface, it can sometimes be used for throttling. Since the movement between the sealing surfaces of the plug valve has a wiping effect, and it can completely prevent contact with the flowing medium when it is fully opened, it can usually be used for medium with suspended particles. Another important feature of the plug valve is that it is easy to adapt to the multi-channel structure, so that one valve can obtain two, three, or even four different flow channels. This can simplify the design of the piping system, reduce the amount of valves and some connecting accessories required in the equipment.

Plug valve use:
Stopcock valves are used in oilfield extraction, transportation and refining equipment, as well as petrochemical, chemical, gas, natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, HVAC and general industries.

The main advantages of the plug valve are as follows:
Suitable for frequent operation, quick and light opening and closing.
The fluid resistance is small.
The structure is simple, the volume is relatively small, the weight is light, and the maintenance is easy.
Good sealing performance
Not limited by the installation direction, the flow direction of the medium can be arbitrary.
No vibration and low noise.
The installation and maintenance of the plug valve should pay attention to the following matters:
Leave the position of the valve handle to rotate
Cannot be used for throttling.
Valves with transmission mechanism should be installed upright.
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