L&T 3 PIECE DESIGN BALL VALVE REDUCED BORE
L&T 3-Piece Design Ball Valve (Reduced Bore): Technical Overview & Specifications
The L&T 3-Piece Design Reduced Bore Ball Valve (also known as Regular Port) features an internal ball bore one size smaller than the connected pipe size. This compact configuration offers a lighter, more cost-effective isolation solution for systems where a slight pressure drop is acceptable. Its 3-piece bolted body design allows the center module to swing out for inline maintenance without removing the end connections from the piping system.
|
Feature / Parameter |
Technical Specifications |
|
Bore Type |
Reduced Bore / Regular Port (Optimized body weight & lower torque) |
|
Size Range |
DN15 to DN300 (1/2" to 12") |
|
Pressure Ratings |
ASME Class 150, Class 300, Class 600, and Class 800 (Forged) |
|
Body Construction |
3-Piece Bolted (Center section swing-out design) |
|
Body Materials |
Forged Carbon Steel (ASTM A105), Cast Carbon Steel (WCB), Stainless Steel (CF8 / CF8M) |
|
Seat & Seal Options |
PTFE, Glass-filled R-PTFE, Devlon, or PEEK (High-temp) |
|
End Connections |
Screwed (NPT/BSP), Socket Weld (SW), Butt Weld (BW), Flanged (ANSI B16.5) |
|
Design Standards |
BS EN ISO 17292, API 6D, ASME B16.34 |
|
Testing Standards |
API 598, ISO 5208, API 6FA / ISO 10497 (Fire Safe) |
Key Advantages over Full Bore Variants
- Lower Cost & Weight: Smaller ball and body casting reduce overall unit cost and pipeline weight support requirements.
- Reduced Operating Torque: Smaller ball-to-seat contact surface area lowers breaking torque, allowing smaller hand levers or lower-rated actuators.
- Inline Maintainability: The 3-piece construction enables rapid replacement of soft seats and body seals in-situ.
- Inherent Safety Features: Equipped with a blowout-proof bottom-entry stem, anti-static grounding springs, and fire-safe secondary metal seating.
Primary Applications
- General utility lines (compressed air, cooling water, low-pressure steam)
- Chemical process lines where full fluid velocity is not strictly mandated
- Fuel gas and light hydrocarbon lines requiring positive shut-off
