The ball valve is a commonly used type of valve. It controls the flow of the medium by the rotation of the ball. It has the advantages of simple structure, convenient operation and good sealing performance. According to different classification criteria, ball valves can be divided into the following various types: 

I. Classification by Structural Form 

1. Floating ball valve 

Feature: Under the pressure of the medium, the sphere will move towards the valve seat at the outlet end, achieving a single-sided forced sealing. 

Application: Suitable for medium and low pressure conditions. The structure is simple and the price is low, but the sealing performance depends on the medium pressure. 

2. Fixed Ball Valve 

Features: The sphere is fixed by the upper and lower shafts and does not move when under pressure. The valve seat adopts a floating or elastic design, ensuring stable sealing performance. 

Application: Suitable for high-pressure and large-diameter working conditions, with small torque, minimal valve seat deformation, and long service life. 

3. Elastic Ball Valve 

Features: The sphere undergoes elastic deformation under the action of the elastic groove, and achieves sealing by pressing the valve seat with the wedge-shaped head. 

Application: Suitable for high-temperature and high-pressure media. The operating torque is small and the friction of the sealing surface is low. 

4. Track ball valve 

Features: The sphere achieves a 90-degree rotation through the track mechanism, and the valve seat is sealed by a spring-loaded piston effect. 

Application: Suitable for scenarios requiring online maintenance. It has reliable sealing performance and flexible operation. 

5. V-shaped ball valve 

Features: The sphere has a V-shaped notch, which has a cutting effect and enables precise flow regulation. 

Application: Suitable for media containing fibers and tiny solid particles, such as in the papermaking, chemical, and metallurgical industries. 

II. Classification by Driving Method 

1. Manual ball valve 

Feature: Operated manually via a handle or a worm gear and worm transmission device. 

Application: Suitable for small-diameter and low-pressure conditions. Simple operation and low cost. 

2. Electric Ball Valve 

Features: Driven by an electric motor, it enables remote control and automated operation. 

Application: Suitable for scenarios that require frequent switching or automated control, such as in the petroleum, chemical, and power industries. 

3. Pneumatic Ball Valve 

Features: Driven by compressed air, it has a fast response speed and is suitable for high-precision control. 

Application: Suitable for fluid control systems that require rapid response, such as in the food and pharmaceutical industries. 

4. Pneumatic Ball Valve 

Features: Driven by liquid pressure, suitable for high-pressure and high-torque applications. 

Application: Suitable for special working conditions, such as deep-sea environments and high-pressure pipelines. 

III. Classification by Sealing Materials 

1. soft seal ball valve 

Features: The sealing material is made of soft materials such as rubber and polytetrafluoroethylene. It has good sealing performance, but its temperature and pressure resistance capabilities are limited. 

Application: Suitable for low temperature, low pressure, and high-sealing requirements scenarios. 

2. Hard-sealed ball valve 

Features: The sealing material is made of metal (such as stainless steel, hard alloy), which is resistant to high temperatures and high pressures, and has excellent wear resistance. 

Application: Suitable for high-temperature, high-pressure, and environments with high requirements for wear resistance. 

IV. Classification by Channel Position 

1. straight ball valve 

Feature: The spherical flow channel is aligned with the axis of the pipe, resulting in low fluid resistance. 

Application: Suitable for situations requiring linear flow. 

2. Three-way ball valve 

Features: The spherical flow channels are of T-shaped or L-shaped design, enabling the separation, merging or direction-switching of the medium. 

Application: Suitable for situations where the flow direction of the medium needs to be allocated or changed. 

3. Multi-flanged Ball Valve 

Features: It has multiple channels, allowing for flexible control of the flow direction of the medium. 

Application: Suitable for complex piping systems. 

V. Classification by Connection Method 

1. flange connection ball valve 

Features: Connected to the pipeline via flanges, it has excellent sealing performance and is suitable for high-pressure and large-diameter working conditions. 

Application: Widely used in the petroleum and chemical industries. 

2. Threaded connection ball valve 

Features: Connected to the pipeline through threads, the installation is convenient and it is suitable for small-diameter and low-pressure conditions. 

Application: Commonly found in civilian and small-scale industrial pipelines. 

3. Welded connection ball valve 

Features: Connected to the pipeline through welding, it has excellent sealing performance and is suitable for applications with high temperatures, high pressures, and high sealing requirements. 

4. Cap-type ball valve 

Features: Connected by a cap, it is convenient for disassembly and maintenance, and is suitable for small pipeline systems. 

Application: Commonly found in laboratories and small-scale equipment. 

VI. Classification by Special Functions 

1. Insulation jacket ball valve 

Feature: An insulation jacket is added to the valve body, which is suitable for media prone to crystallization. 

Application: Such as the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. 

2. Low-temperature ball valve 

Feature: Adopting a long-neck structure design to prevent the valve stem packing seal from failing under low-temperature conditions. 

Application: Suitable for low-temperature media such as liquefied natural gas (LNG). 

3. Anti-sulfur Ball Valve 

Features: Utilizes anti-corrosion materials, suitable for working conditions involving corrosive media such as hydrogen sulfide. 

Application: Commonly seen in the oil and gas extraction industry. 

4. Ash Discharge Ball Valve 

Features: Specifically designed for the discharge of dust and particulate media. The structure is unique and it has excellent wear resistance. 

Application: Suitable for dust removal systems in industries such as power and metallurgy. 

VII. Classification by Materials 

1. metal material ball valve 

Type: Such as carbon steel, stainless steel, alloy steel, copper alloy, etc. 

Application: Suitable for high-temperature, high-pressure and corrosion-resistant environments. 

2. Non-metallic material ball valve 

Type: Such as ceramics, plastics, glass, etc. 

Application: Suitable for scenarios requiring corrosion resistance, light weight, and low cost.