3-Way Ball Valve WCB | ANSI 150 Flange | L and T Port | Diverter and Mixing
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WCB Carbon Steel 3-Way Ball Valve — ANSI 150 Flange, L and T Port, 2" to 6"
The WCB ANSI 150 flanged 3-way ball valve solves in a single component what would typically require two 2-way valves and their associated control logic: with a single ball and a 90° turn, it diverts flow between two alternative destinations or mixes two streams into a single outlet — depending on the ball configuration (L-port or T-port). The WCB carbon steel body provides mechanical strength for natural gas, LPG, steam, oil, and industrial process fluid services at pressures up to 19.6 bar, with the SS304 ball and PTFE seats ensuring tight shut-off in every operating position.
Available in diameters from 2" to 6" with ANSI 150 flanged connection and an ISO 5211 mounting pad for automation with a quarter-turn pneumatic or electric actuator — the standard configuration for automated flow diversion in Oil & Gas, petrochemical, and industrial process facilities.
L-Port vs. T-Port — Specifying the Correct One is Critical
The L-port and T-port have completely different behaviors. Specifying the incorrect one results in a valve that does not meet the required process function:
L-Port — Diversion Between Two Destinations or Selection Between Two Sources
The L-port ball has an L-shaped bore. It always connects only two of the three ports — never all three simultaneously. By rotating 90°, it changes which two ports are connected.
- 0° Position: Port A connected to Port B — fluid from A exits through B. Port C blocked.
- 90° Position: Port A connected to Port C — fluid from A exits through C. Port B blocked.
Use L-port for:
- Flow diversion between two destinations — sending production to tank A or tank B
- Supply source selection — feeding the process from the main line or the backup line
- Equipment bypass — sending fluid through the equipment or through the direct bypass
- Emergency dual-feed systems — instant switching between main and backup source
T-Port — Mixing, Simultaneous Distribution, or Recirculation
The T-port ball has a T-shaped bore. In the central position, it connects all three ports simultaneously; in extreme positions, it connects only two.
- 0° Position (central): All three ports A, B, and C connected — mixing or simultaneous distribution
- 90° Position: Port A with Port B only — Port C blocked
- -90° Position: Port A with Port C only — Port B blocked
Use T-port for:
- Mixing two streams — combining two process currents into a single outlet
- Recirculation vs. process — recirculating to the source tank or sending to the main process
- Distribution to two destinations with simultaneous operating position
- Bypass with possibility of simultaneous flow in start-up position
L-Port vs. T-Port Comparative Table
| Characteristic | L-Port | T-Port |
|---|---|---|
| Ports connected in 0° position | A–B only | A–B–C simultaneously |
| Ports connected in 90° position | A–C only | A–B only |
| Connects all 3 ports at once? | ❌ Never | ✅ In central position |
| Main function | Diversion or selection between alternatives | Mixing or simultaneous distribution |
| Simple bypass without simultaneous flow | ✅ Ideal | ⚠️ Possible — connects simultaneously in central position |
| Proportional mixing of two streams | ❌ Not suitable | ✅ Ideal in central position |
Not sure which port your process needs? Consult us — it's the most frequent question about this product and the one most often specified incorrectly without prior technical advice.
Construction Materials
- Body: WCB Carbon Steel (ASTM A216 Gr. WCB) — mechanical resistance for gas, steam, oil, and process fluids at pressures up to ANSI 150
- Ball: SS304 Stainless Steel with L or T bore as specified — polished finish for tight shut-off with PTFE seats
- Stem: SS304 Stainless Steel
- Seats: Virgin PTFE — bubble-tight shut-off in every operating position
- Stem packing: PTFE
- Connection: ANSI 150 Raised Face (RF) flanges, ASME B16.5 drilling
- Actuator mounting pad: Integrated ISO 5211
Technical Specifications
- Type: Floating quarter-turn ball valve, 3-way
- Ball configuration: L-Port (diversion/selection) or T-Port (mixing/distribution) — specify when ordering
- Body material: WCB (ASTM A216 Gr. WCB)
- Ball: Polished SS304
- Stem: SS304
- Seats: Virgin PTFE
- Connection: ANSI 150 RF flanges — face-to-face ASME B16.10
- Flange drilling: ASME B16.5
- Nominal diameters: 2" (DN50), 3" (DN80), 4" (DN100), 6" (DN150)
- Nominal pressure: ANSI 150 — up to 19.6 bar (285 psi) at ambient temperature
- Operating temperature: -20 °C to +150 °C with PTFE seat
- Actuator travel: 90° between extreme positions
- Actuator mounting pad: ISO 5211
Fluid Compatibility
- ✅ Natural gas, LPG, and industrial gases
- ✅ Crude oil, process oils, and condensates
- ✅ Low-pressure steam up to 10 bar
- ✅ Process water without high chlorides
- ✅ Mineral and hydraulic oils
- ✅ Compressed air and industrial gases
- ⚠️ Water with chlorides >200 ppm: risk of WCB body corrosion — consult
- ❌ Seawater, acids, alkalis: use SS316 3-way ball valve
Automation — Specific Considerations for 3-Way Valves
The quarter-turn actuator operates the 3-way ball with the same 90° travel as a 2-way ball — the same standard actuator is compatible. However, there are two specific considerations for automating 3-way valves in industrial processes:
- Fail-safe position: In the event of loss of air supply or control signal, the single-acting actuator brings the valve to one of the two extreme positions (position A or position B). Define which of the two circuits should remain active in the event of a failure — for example, in a production diversion system with an L-port, define whether in case of failure the flow should go to the safety tank or continue to the process. This decision determines the actuator configuration (NC or NO) and the mounting position.
- Do not use in intermediate position for regulation: The 3-way ball valve is an ON/OFF component — it operates between its two extreme positions (0° and 90°). Positioning the ball at intermediate angles rapidly wears out the PTFE seats. For continuous proportional mixing (PID temperature or flow control), use a 3-way globe valve with a positioner.
- Position feedback: The limit switch box provides two signals to the PLC — confirmation of position A (0°) and confirmation of position B (90°). In systems where both circuits handle different fluids, position confirmation is critical to prevent cross-contamination.
- Single-acting pneumatic actuator NC or NO: First choice for automated diversion in facilities with a compressed air network. See ball valve assemblies with pneumatic actuator →
- Electric actuator: For facilities without an air network or with Modbus integration to SCADA. See ball valve assemblies with electric actuator →
Main Industries and Applications
- Oil & Gas — production diversion: Selection of production destination between two storage tanks, flow diversion between process lines, and equipment bypass in production facilities and process plants. The L-port with NC pneumatic actuator is the standard configuration — in case of control system failure, the flow goes to the predefined safe destination.
- Refining and petrochemical: Bypass of heat exchangers, selection between alternative feed lines to reactors and columns, and product diversion between process routes. The WCB ANSI 150 3-way valve replaces the assembly of two 2-way valves that would otherwise be used, reducing the number of flanged connections and installation cost.
- Natural gas — dual feed: Systems with a main source and a backup source where switching between them must be instant. The L-port switches from one source to the other in the same 90° turn: when closing the connection with source A, it simultaneously opens B, without interruption of supply.
- Steam distribution: Diversion of steam between two alternative process equipment, selection between main boiler and backup boiler, and bypass of exchangers during maintenance. L-port with NC pneumatic actuator — the heating system closes the valve in case of air supply failure.
- Power generation: Selection of fluid routes in steam systems, boiler water, and process fluids in cogeneration and combined cycle plants. The WCB ANSI 150 covers the typical pressures of utility distribution circuits in these plants.
- Manufacturing industry: Control of service fluid distribution (steam, hot water, thermal oil) to multiple alternative process points from a centralized distribution point. A 3-way valve per distribution point instead of two 2-way valves reduces cost and simplifies control logic.
For the complete range of 3-way ball valves, see 3-way ball valve category →