T-pattern ball flow paths are shaped like a capital T

T-pattern flow balls, sometimes called 180-degree balls, are widely used to take two inlet flows and combine them to flow out through one common outlet port. Depending on process requirements, the reverse is also possible. That is, split the flow coming in from one common port into two outgoing flows, each exiting the valve through a different valve port.

T-pattern flow valves are not just limited to splitting or dividing flow. They are also able to act like L-pattern flow valves and divert flow from one outlet port to the other.

Like L-pattern valves, T-pattern flow valves change flow paths with a quarter turn of their handle. Depending on the allowed range of handle motion, they can provide diversion flow, mixing or split flow and straight through flow.

In one important way, T-pattern flow ball valves are very different from L-flow pattern ball valves. Typical T-pattern flow valves cannot provide shut-off control. They can either limit flow to any two of the three valve ports or allow flow through all three valve ports at the same time. This is why T-flow pattern ball valves are sometimes called mixing valves.

What is a mixing valve?

Mixing valves are alternate names used for T-pattern flow ball valves. This is because this valve design is widely used to mix or combine flow coming two different sources. Ordinary manual three-way T-pattern ball valves used as mixing valves are usually installed with the bottom port of the valve body as the common outlet port.

Like the L-pattern flow ball valves, each 90-degree turn of the handle changes the flow path through the valve. And like the L-pattern flow valves, the turns of the handle may be limited by design using handle stops.

General applications for a T-port ball:

Sample valves, purging valves, mixing valves, bypass valves, constant flow valves

• Combine flow from two different sources
• Split flow between two different destinations
• Alternate flow between two different sources
• Allow the flow from two different sources to mix
• Alternate flow between two different destinations