1. Core performance comparison
Sealing and high temperature adaptability
The globe valve adopts an axial sealing structure (the valve disc and the valve seat fit tightly), and the leakage rate is lower in high-temperature steam environments (such as above 450°C). The bellows seal design can further reduce the risk of packing leakage;
The ball valve relies on the radial extrusion of the ball and the soft seal ring. Long-term high temperature can easily cause the seal ring to age and become brittle (especially at ≥200°C), and it needs to be replaced frequently.
Flow regulation capability
The globe valve accurately controls the opening (adjustment accuracy ±1%) through the linear lifting valve disc, which is suitable for the slow temperature rise in the steam system startup stage and other scenarios that require fine adjustment;
The ball valve is a fast opening and closing two-position valve (only fully open/fully closed), with weak adjustment function. Only the hard-sealed V-type ball valve can barely achieve rough flow control.
2. Working Condition Matching Analysis
| Terms | Advantages of Globe valve | Application of Ball valves |
|---|---|---|
| System pressure | Supports up to CL4500 high pressure level (split forged body) | Conventional ball valve pressure limit ≤ CL600 |
| Operating frequency | High-frequency adjustment can easily cause valve disc wear (manual operation requires multiple turns) | Fast opening and closing speed (completed by rotating 90°) |
| Installation Cost | High cost performance when DN≤300, and the cost of large diameter increases significantly | Large diameter (DN ≥ 400) ball valves have more cost advantages |
3. Recommended Typical Applications
Scenarios where stop valves are preferred
Small and medium-sized steam pipelines (DN≤300): Stop valves have reliable sealing and are suitable for key nodes such as boiler main steam pipelines and pressure reducing stations that require frequent flow adjustment; Steam systems containing impurities: The axial movement of the valve disc is not easily blocked by particles (compared to the easy wear of the rotating valve core of the ball valve). Exceptions to ball valves can be considered
Large-diameter low-pressure steam pipelines: Full-diameter ball valves have lower pressure loss (the flow capacity is more than 3 times that of stop valves of the same diameter); Rapid emergency shut-off requirements: If the steam release system needs to be closed instantly, the ball valve response time is ≤1 second.
4. Selection decision tree
Steam temperature ≥300℃ or flow regulation required → Stop valve (preferably bellows seal model);
Large diameter (DN≥400) and only need opening and closing functions → Full-bore hard-sealed ball valve (temperature resistance level needs to be verified);
High-frequency operation (opening and closing >50 times per day) → Comprehensive evaluation of maintenance cost of electric stop valve vs. replacement frequency of ball valve life cycle.
Summary: The steam system should give priority to globe valves, especially for small and medium-sized calibers, high pressure and high temperature, and scenes that require adjustment; ball valves are only suitable for special needs such as large diameters, low pressure and fast cut-off.
