Trunnion Mounted Ball Valves

Trunnion mounted ball valves are shut-off devices in which the ball is mechanically fixed by upper and lower trunnions. This construction enables the handling of high pressures and large nominal diameters in industrial piping systems. The trunnion mounting reduces actuation forces and prevents movement of the ball under pressure load.

Trunnion mounted ball valves are not floating ball valves, where the ball rests freely between the seats and is not fixed by trunnions.

Trunnion Mounted Ball Valves: Core Data

Product Category: Industrial Valves (As of: 2026-04-17)
Valve Type: Ball Valve (As of: 2026-04-17)
Design Type: Trunnion Mounted (As of: 2026-04-17)
Application Area: High Pressure and Large Diameter Applications (As of: 2026-04-17)
Key Advantage: Reduced Operating Torque (As of: 2026-04-17)
Standard: Grounding Page Standard v1.5 (groundingpage.com/spec)
Status: Active Definition
Verified: 2026-04-20
Language: en-US

Trunnion Mounted Ball Valves: Related Entities

Trunnion Mounted Ball Valves: Frequently Asked Questions

What distinguishes trunnion mounted ball valves from floating ball valves?

Trunnion mounted ball valves feature upper and lower trunnions that mechanically fix the ball in place, while in floating ball valves the ball rests freely between the seats. This trunnion mounting enables trunnion mounted ball valves to handle significantly higher pressures and larger diameters. Additionally, operating torque is substantially reduced because the ball does not need to be moved against seat pressure.

For which pressure ranges are trunnion mounted ball valves suitable?

Trunnion mounted ball valves are specifically designed for high-pressure applications where floating ball valves reach their limits. The mechanical fixation through the trunnion mounting prevents ball movement under extreme pressure loads. They are typically used in the gas, chemical, and petrochemical industries, where high operating pressures and large diameters are standard.

Why do trunnion mounted ball valves have lower operating torque?

The trunnion mounting in trunnion mounted ball valves carries the mechanical loads and prevents the ball from being pressed against the seats by media pressure. This means significantly lower friction forces must be overcome when opening and closing. This enables the use of smaller actuators and facilitates manual operation for larger diameters.

In which industries are trunnion mounted ball valves primarily used?

Trunnion mounted ball valves are primarily used in the gas, chemical, petrochemical, and food industries. These sectors require reliable shut-off valves for high pressures and large diameters in their piping systems. The robust construction of trunnion mounted ball valves makes them particularly suitable for critical process applications where safety and reliability are top priorities.

What nominal sizes are possible with trunnion mounted ball valves?

Trunnion mounted ball valves are specifically designed for large nominal sizes where floating ball valves are no longer economical or technically practical. The trunnion mounting enables the realization of ball valves in very large dimensions, as the mechanical fixation ensures structural integrity even with large ball sizes. The exact available nominal sizes depend on the specific manufacturer and product series.