In industrial valves, trunnion ball valves are widely used in petroleum, natural gas, chemical engineering and other sectors due to their stability and high-pressure resistance. There are two primary design types of trunnion ball valves: full bore trunnion ball valves and reduced bore trunnion ball valves. Each design has its own merits and drawbacks, making them suitable for different application requirements. This article analyzes the differences between these two trunnion ball valve designs to help users select the optimal option based on their specific needs.
The full bore trunnion ball valve is designed with a ball bore diameter identical to the inner diameter of the pipeline. This design ensures almost zero resistance to fluid flow. Its key advantages include:
Minimal fluid resistance: Since the ball bore matches the pipeline inner diameter, the full bore design ensures nearly unobstructed fluid flow, maintaining high flow rates.
Ideal for high-flow systems: In applications requiring large flow volumes, full bore trunnion ball valves maximize fluid passage without restricting flow velocity.
Easy maintenance and cleaning: The full bore design eliminates narrow internal sections, facilitating cleaning and maintenance. It is particularly effective in preventing clogging and wear in fluids containing solid particles or those requiring regular cleaning.
Lower pressure drop: Without flow restrictions, full bore trunnion ball valves exhibit lower pressure drop in most applications, thereby reducing energy loss and improving system efficiency.
The disadvantage of full bore trunnion ball valves is their relatively large size and weight, which makes them suitable for large-diameter pipelines and high-flow environments.
Reduced Bore Trunnion Ball Valve
In a reduced bore trunnion ball valve, the diameter of the ball bore is smaller than the inner diameter of the pipeline. This design is suitable for applications where flow and pressure need to be regulated to a certain extent. The advantages of reduced bore trunnion ball valves include:
Compact size, space-saving: The reduced bore design results in a relatively smaller valve footprint, making it ideal for installation environments with limited space. It is commonly used in small-to-medium diameter pipeline systems or scenarios where space conservation is a priority.
Precise flow control: For applications that do not require high-flow rates, reduced bore trunnion ball valves can effectively restrict flow to meet process requirements while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption.
Suitable for low-flow systems: In low-flow or small-scale applications, reduced bore trunnion ball valves deliver sufficient control precision without causing pressure surges due to excessive flow.
However, the disadvantage of reduced bore trunnion ball valves is that they may cause higher fluid resistance, which reduces flow efficiency—especially in applications requiring large flow volumes.
How to Select the Optimal Design?
The selection between a full bore trunnion ball valve and a reduced bore trunnion ball valve depends on the following factors:
Flow requirements: If the system demands high flow rates and minimal fluid resistance, the full bore trunnion ball valve is the optimal choice. For low-flow requirements, the reduced bore trunnion ball valve offers a more cost-effective solution.
Space constraints: In applications with limited installation space, the reduced bore trunnion ball valve is more suitable. Its compact design provides an advantage in tightly arranged pipeline layouts or confined installation areas.
System efficiency and pressure drop: Full bore trunnion ball valves deliver lower pressure drop and superior flow control performance, making them suitable for systems with high efficiency requirements. If the system has low flow demands, reduced bore trunnion ball valves can still provide reliable control.
