Guide to Selecting KITZ Ball Valves for Industrial Use

In industrial piping systems, ball valves play a crucial role in controlling fluid flow. Among numerous ball valve brands, KITZ has earned an excellent reputation for its superior quality and wide range of applications. However, the extensive variety of KITZ ball valve models and their differently colored handles often leave engineers and procurement professionals puzzled: What do these colors signify? How should valves of different diameters be selected? This article provides an in-depth analysis of KITZ ball valve selection criteria to help avoid common pitfalls and choose the most suitable valves for specific needs.

Ball Valves: The Core Component of Piping Systems

As the name suggests, the key component of a ball valve is a sphere with a through-hole. By rotating the sphere, the flow path can be completely opened or closed. Compared to other valve types, ball valves offer advantages including simple structure, low flow resistance, excellent sealing performance, and easy operation, making them widely used in petroleum, chemical, natural gas, water supply, and drainage systems.

KITZ Ball Valves: A Symbol of Quality and Reliability

In the ball valve sector, KITZ is undoubtedly a prominent name. Its product line covers various materials, diameters, and connection methods to meet different operational requirements. Particularly, its threaded ball valves are extensively used in diverse industrial applications. However, the extensive range of KITZ ball valve models makes selection a challenging task.

The Mystery of Handle Colors: Clues to Material and Application

KITZ ball valves feature handles of different colors—a design choice that serves to distinguish valves of various materials and purposes. However, relying solely on color to determine valve performance can lead to misconceptions. To uncover the truth behind handle colors, we examined KITZ's official product catalog and consulted directly with the manufacturer.

According to KITZ, handle colors correspond to specific valve body materials:

Stainless Steel Ball Valves:

• Red handle: Typically indicates SUS304/SUS304L/SCS13A/SCS19 materials, known for good corrosion resistance and versatility.
• Green handle: Usually represents SUS316/SCS14A materials, which contain molybdenum for enhanced corrosion resistance, suitable for marine environments or chemical media.
• Yellow handle: Generally denotes SUS316L/SCS16A materials with extremely low carbon content, offering better welding performance and ideal for high hygiene requirements.

Bronze/Brass Ball Valves:

• Orange handle: Typically used for valves in liquid transfer applications, such as T-type ball valves.
• Green handle: Commonly found on ZE series valves (economical eco-friendly ball valves).
• Red handle: Generally used for steam, kerosene, or warm water applications, complying with JIS standards for general-purpose valves, with the color also indicating potential hazards.
• Light gray handle: Typically seen on S-series valves (water supply valves with built-in check valves).
• Blue handle: Usually indicates economical eco-friendly ball valves for building water supply systems.
• Mint blue handle: Typically represents lead-free water supply valves, symbolizing safety and environmental friendliness.
• Black handle: Generally used for fan coil unit valves.
• Yellow handle: Typically indicates gas applications.

It's important to note that these correlations aren't absolute, and KITZ's official product catalog should always be consulted. Additionally, for bronze/brass ball valves, handle colors are primarily based on "color imagery" rather than strict performance differentiation—meaning colors are designed to evoke certain associations (e.g., blue for environmental friendliness, red for hazard warnings).

Selection Considerations: Color Isn't the Only Factor

After reviewing KITZ's product catalog and manufacturer responses, we conclude that handle color alone cannot determine a ball valve's performance and application.

Practical selection requires comprehensive evaluation of these factors:

• Fluid medium: Different media demand varying corrosion resistance from valve materials (e.g., strong acids/alkalis require highly corrosion-resistant stainless steel or special alloys).
• Operating temperature: Extreme temperatures affect sealing performance, requiring valves rated for the applicable temperature range.
• Operating pressure: Valves must withstand the system's maximum pressure.
• Connection method: Common options include threaded, flanged, or welded connections—selection depends on system requirements.
• Diameter size: Valve diameter must match piping dimensions to ensure proper fluid flow.
• Application environment: Different settings require specific sealing, explosion-proof, or fire-resistant properties.

Only by considering all these factors can the most suitable ball valve be selected. Handle color should serve merely as one reference point among many.

Diameter Selection: Balancing Full-Port, Reduced-Port, and Standard-Port Valves

Beyond handle color, valve diameter is another critical selection parameter. Based on internal diameter, ball valves fall into three categories:

• Full-port ball valves: Feature internal diameters matching pipe dimensions, creating minimal flow resistance—ideal for applications demanding high flow capacity, like long-distance pipelines.
• Reduced-port ball valves: Have smaller internal diameters than pipes, creating some flow resistance but offering compact structure and lower cost—widely used in general applications.
• Standard-port ball valves: Offer diameters between full-port and reduced-port types, balancing flow capacity and cost—though with narrower application ranges.

Selecting valve diameter requires balancing flow requirements, budget constraints, and installation space. Generally, full-port valves suit high-flow needs with sufficient budgets, reduced-port valves work for limited-flow applications with budget constraints, while standard-port valves offer a middle ground.

Flow Control: Not the Best Use for Ball Valves

While ball valves can adjust flow by varying their opening degree, this isn't their primary purpose. Ball valves excel at quick flow shutoff or full opening, not precise flow control, due to:

• Low adjustment precision: Opening degree depends on handle rotation angle, making precise control difficult.
• External interference susceptibility: Handles are prone to accidental impacts, altering opening degrees and destabilizing flow control.
• Sealing degradation: Partial openings expose sealing surfaces to fluid erosion, potentially causing leaks.
• Clogging risk: Partial openings allow internal debris accumulation, potentially blocking flow.

For precise flow control, specialized valves like control valves or globe valves are recommended.

Full vs. Partial Opening: Safety Risks to Consider

In practice, many users maintain ball valves in partially open states for flow control—a practice posing significant safety hazards:

• Sealing surface damage: Prolonged partial opening exposes sealing surfaces to high-speed fluid erosion, accelerating wear and causing leaks.
• Cavitation risk: Partial openings may cause cavitation within valves, damaging valve bodies.
• Debris accumulation: Partial openings encourage internal debris buildup, potentially blocking flow.

Therefore, avoid maintaining ball valves in partially open states long-term. For flow regulation, use valves specifically designed for this purpose.

Conclusion: Rational Selection for Safe Application

KITZ ball valves have earned user trust through excellent quality and wide applicability. However, selection shouldn't rely solely on handle colors—instead, consider fluid medium, operating temperature/pressure, connection method, diameter size, and application environment. Additionally, ball valves primarily serve quick shutoff/full opening functions, not precise flow control. In practice, avoid prolonged partial opening to ensure safe, reliable operation.

This analysis provides deeper understanding of KITZ ball valve selection, helping professionals avoid common pitfalls and choose optimal valves for their piping systems.