Choosing a Ball valve is essential for safe, efficient operations. Ball valves offer many benefits over other valves, including a more compact design, tight sealing, and easy operation. However, it’s important to know whether you will need a floating ball valve or a trunnion ball valve for your application. We’ll discuss the differences between the two and which types of applications you might choose one over the other for.
Floating Ball Valve:
A Floating ball valve is a quarter-turn valve that uses a freely moving ball to control the flow of fluids through a pipeline. It consists of a hollow ball with a through hole or port that aligns with the pipeline when open, allowing fluid to pass through. When closed, the ball rotates to a position perpendicular to the pipeline, blocking the flow.
How It Works:
In the open position, the ball remains buoyant, allowing the fluid to flow through the valve. When closed, the ball descends, blocking the flow of fluid.
Advantages:
- Easy to understand and operate.
- Requires less operating torque, making them energy-efficient.
- Can be quickly opened or closed.
- Provides effective sealing in both directions.
Features:
- Ensures minimal leakage and high reliability.
- Requires less maintenance, reducing downtime and costs.
- Made with materials that resist corrosion, suitable for harsh environments.
Trunnion Ball Valve:
A trunnion ball valve uses a ball secured between two trunnions or supporting posts to control fluid flow. This design allows the ball to pivot, facilitating the opening and closing of the valve. Trunnion ball valves are known for their exceptional performance in critical scenarios and are used across various industries.
How It Works:
The Ball in a trunnion ball valve is affixed to a trunnion, allowing it to rotate. In the open position, the central hole in the ball aligns with the valve’s ports, permitting fluid flow. In the closed position, the ball is turned, blocking the flow of fluid.
Advantages:
- Provides increased stability under high pressures.
- Offers sealing in both directions.
- Suitable for extreme conditions.
Features:
- Bubble-Tight Seal: Ensures minimal leakage.
- Emergency Shut-Off Capability: Suitable for emergency situations.
- Bi-Directional Flow: Allows fluid to move in both directions.
Key Differences:
- Floating ball valves have a free-floating ball, while trunnion ball valves have a fixed ball supported by trunnions.
- These valves rely on fluid pressure for sealing, while trunnion ball valves have better sealing performance, especially at high pressures.
- They are for low to moderate pressures, while trunnion ball valves are for higher pressures.
Conclusion:
Both floating ball valves and trunnion ball valves serve the purpose of regulating flow, but the choice between them depends on factors such as pressure requirements, size, and specific application conditions.
Specialityvalve offers a wide range of ball valves, including floating and trunnion types, suitable for various applications. Whether you need a valve for low-pressure systems or high-capacity pipelines, our diverse inventory ensures you can find the right valve for your needs. We supply these valves in various states across India, such as Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka providing convenient access to our high-quality products.
