Trunnion Ball Valve - How They Work
Trunnion ball valves are quarter-turn valves used to control the flow of media in a pipeline. Unlike the more common "free floating" ball valve design, trunnion ball valves have a unique configuration. In a trunnion ball valve, the ball is secured by connecting it to the stem on one side and a shaft called the trunnion on the other, ensuring the ball remains firmly in place. In contrast, a floating ball valve connects the ball only to the stem, allowing it to "float." This distinction is illustrated in Figure 1, highlighted by a red box. Trunnion ball valves have many different advantages over free floating valves, they are suitable for low, and high-pressure applications, and offer lower operational costs then free floating ball valves. Trunnion ball valve advantages High pressure applications For high pressure applications, a trunnion ball valve is the ideal ball valve design type. In the floating ball valves the ball has some freedom of movement. During use, t...