A three way valve combines two flow paths in one body, either diverting a stream between two outlets or mixing two inlets into one. Ball, plug and control patterns are all common.
Three way valves appear on blending, diverting, changeover and temperature control duty. Because they are tied to a specific layout, a revamp or a re-pipe usually strands them.
We buy three way valves in any quantity — single items, mixed pallets or whole cribs, including valves that need repair and assemblies that are missing parts. We do not require a clean inventory before reviewing a list.
| Common patterns | L-port and T-port ball, Three way plug and eccentric plug, Three way control valves, Diverting and mixing configurations |
|---|---|
| Typical service | Blending, Changeover, Temperature control |
| What we look at | Port configuration, size, body material, actuation and end connections. We ask what the valve was doing, because the original duty tells us whether the trim suits another application. |
| What to keep | Keep the port configuration identifiable. An L-port and a T-port look similar from outside and behave completely differently, so photograph the bore or note the part number. |
Patterns and variants
What turns up most often
Variants matter because they change the buyer pool. A standard pattern sells to a rebuilder or a plant with the same service; a specialised trim sells to a much smaller group but often at a higher price. If you are unsure which variant you have, the nameplate or the trim marking will usually say.
Before it leaves site
How to protect the value
Keep the port configuration identifiable. An L-port and a T-port look similar from outside and behave completely differently, so photograph the bore or note the part number.
Where they come from
Industries and services
- Blending
- Changeover
- Temperature control
Most of the surplus we see comes from plants that have replaced equipment for a reason that has nothing to do with the valve: a unit was re-rated, a line was re-piped, a control loop was upgraded or a project was re-scoped. The valve is simply the part that has to move.
Related patterns
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Read →Questions sellers ask
Do you buy actuated three way valves?
Yes, with the actuator and positioner attached. Complete assemblies are more useful than bare bodies.
How do I tell an L-port from a T-port?
Look through the bore. An L-port connects two adjacent ports; a T-port connects all three. A photograph through the port is enough.
Are three way valves worth less than two way?
The audience is narrower, but the right buyer pays properly. Documentation of the port arrangement helps.