Hudson, Massachusetts-based Clark Solutions (Clark) has introduced their 8E Electric and 8P Pneumatic Series Direct Mount Ball Valves. Featuring the lowest possible operating torque compared to other ball valves used in industry, according to Clark, 8P Series Ball Valves require only a minimum of 80 PSI air supply.
The traditional “floating” style ball valve used today has sealing components that are forcibly compressed together, however, the end result of this design creates the need for a high initial breakaway torque. 8E and 8P Series Direct Mount Ball Valves incorporate technologically advanced “O” ring back TFE seats to dramatically reduce operating torque. Viton O-rings are inserted into grooves formed and located on the backside of the TFE seat, preassembled as a unit and then assembled into the valves. The ball valve is assembled and tested with the O-rings exerting only a minimum amount of pressure on the TFE seats. The O-rings in turn seal on both the upstream and downstream side of the ball. Due to light force exerted, only a “single point” of each seat comes in contact with the ball.