What Is a Trunnion Mounted Ball Valve?

What Is a Trunnion Mounted Ball Valve?

2025-12-27 10:15:18

A trunnion mounted ball valve is a type of ball valve in which the ball is fixed in position by mechanical supports called trunnions. These trunnions absorb pipeline pressure, preventing the ball from moving under load.

Instead of the ball floating against the seat, the valve seats move toward the ball, creating a tight seal even under high pressure. This design makes trunnion mounted ball valves ideal for oil & gas pipelines, LNG systems, and large-diameter applications.


Trunnion Mounted Ball Valve


Trunnion Mounted Ball Valve Structure

Key components include:

This structure reduces friction, improves sealing reliability, and extends service life.


How Does a Trunnion Mounted Ball Valve Work?

  1. The ball remains fixed and does not float.
  2. When the valve is closed, spring force and line pressure push the downstream seat toward the ball.
  3. A tight seal is achieved without excessive contact pressure.
  4. During operation, the stem rotates the ball smoothly with minimal torque.

This pressure-assisted sealing principle ensures consistent performance under both low and high pressure conditions.


Key Features


Advantages of Trunnion Mounted Ball Valves

Low Operating Torque

Because the ball is fixed, friction between the ball and seats is significantly reduced, making operation easier and safer.

Reliable Sealing Under High Pressure

The seat design ensures tight shutoff even in high-pressure or fluctuating conditions.

Longer Service Life

Reduced wear on internal components leads to fewer maintenance requirements and longer valve lifespan.

Ideal for Large Sizes

Trunnion mounted ball valves are commonly used for DN200 (8”) and above, where floating ball valves become less practical.


Materials and Seat Options

Body materials:

Seat materials:

Ball materials:


Typical Applications

Trunnion mounted ball valves are widely used in:

They are especially suitable for critical isolation service in long-distance pipelines.


Trunnion Mounted Ball Valve vs Floating Ball Valve


FeatureTrunnion Mounted Ball ValveFloating Ball Valve
Ball designFixed with trunnionsFloating
Operating torqueLowHigher
Pressure ratingHighMedium
Valve sizeMedium to largeSmall to medium
Seat wearMinimalHigher
Typical applicationsPipelines, oil & gasGeneral industrial use


Actuation Options

Trunnion mounted ball valves can be operated by:

Low torque requirements make them ideal for automation and remote pipeline control systems.


Applicable Standards

Most trunnion mounted ball valves are designed and tested according to:


Conclusion

A Trunnion Mounted Ball Valve is a reliable and efficient solution for high-pressure and large-diameter pipeline systems. Its fixed ball design, low operating torque, excellent sealing performance, and long service life make it the preferred choice for critical industrial applications—especially in the oil and gas industry.

For projects where safety, durability, and performance are essential, trunnion mounted ball valves offer long-term value and operational confidence.