A Brief Rundown of a Trunnion Ball Valve

The trunnion ball valve is a form of quarter-turn valve which uses a hollow, perforated and fixed/supported ball to control flow through it. A trunnion mounted valve means that the ball is constrained by bearings and is only allowed to rotate, the majority of the hydraulic load is supported by the System constraints, resulting in low bearing pressure and no shaft fatigue.

The line pressure pushes the upstream seat against the stationary ball, ensuring a tight seal. The ball is mechanically anchored, which absorbs the thrust from the line pressure and prevents excess friction between the ball and the seats. This design maintains low operating torque even at full rated working pressure, making it particularly advantageous when the valve is actuated. The reduced operating torque allows for a smaller actuator, lowering the overall cost of the valve actuation package.

Key advantages of the trunnion ball design include:

- Lower Operating Torque: The design minimizes the force needed to operate the valve, making it easier to handle and reducing actuator size and cost.

- Ease of Operation: The isolation of the stem and ball prevents side loading, reducing wear on the downstream seats and improving the valve's performance and service life.

- Superior Sealing Performance: The trunnion ball valve provides excellent sealing at both high and low pressures. A separate spring mechanism and upstream line pressure are used to seal against the stationary ball in various pressure conditions.

The trunnion design is available in all sizes and pressure classes, but it is not suitable for throttling purposes.

Benefits of Trunnion-Mounted Ball Valves in High-Pressure Applications

- Enhanced Pressure Resistance  

Trunnion-mounted ball valves excel in handling high-pressure differentials due to their unique design, which evenly distributes force across the ball. This ensures that the valve maintains its performance and safety under extreme pressure conditions, making it a reliable choice for high-pressure applications.

- Reliable Sealing Mechanism  

These valves feature a dependable sealing mechanism, using either soft or metal seats that are pressed against the ball to ensure a tight shut-off. This mechanism effectively prevents leakage, even under high-pressure conditions, enhancing the valve's integrity and ensuring safe and efficient operation.

- Low Torque Operation  

Trunnion-mounted ball valves are engineered for low torque operation, even in high-pressure environments. The trunnion support minimizes the effort required to open or close the valve, leading to smooth and easy operation. This reduction in operating torque also decreases wear on the valve actuator, extending its lifespan and enabling precise control over fluid flow.

- Excellent Flow Control  

These valves offer superior flow control capabilities, thanks to their full-bore design, which minimizes flow restrictions and reduces pressure drop across the valve. This is particularly important in high-pressure applications where maintaining optimal flow rates is critical for system efficiency.

- Versatile Applications  

Trunnion-mounted ball valves are versatile and suitable for a wide range of industries, including oil and gas pipelines, petrochemical plants, power generation facilities, and water treatment systems. They can effectively handle various fluids while providing reliable shut-off and control, making them ideal for diverse high-pressure applications.

- Easy Maintenance and Repair  

Designed for ease of maintenance, trunnion-mounted ball valves allow for straightforward disassembly, providing quick access to internal components for inspection, cleaning, and repairs. This design feature minimizes downtime during maintenance activities, ensuring continuous operation and optimizing overall system efficiency.

Conclusion

Trunnion mounted ball valves offer significant benefits in high-pressure applications. Their enhanced pressure resistance, reliable sealing mechanism, low torque operation, excellent flow control, versatile applications, and easy maintenance make them ideal choices for demanding industrial environments. By selecting trunnion mounted ball valves, industries can ensure safe and efficient fluid control, minimize leakage risks, and optimize system performance in high-pressure operations.