When you’re sourcing industrial Ball Valve solutions—especially for high-pressure pipelines, chemical processing, or oil & gas—you’ll inevitably face one big question: What is the real difference between a Floating Ball Valve and a Trunnion Ball Valve? And more importantly… which one should YOU choose for your application? In this guide, you’ll get a clear, buyer-focused breakdown of these two essential valve types, supported by data, real-world examples, and practical insights. By the end, you’ll have a solid understanding of the floating ball valve working principle, floating ball valve design, the difference between trunnion and floating ball valve, and how choosing high-quality components—especially from GOTEB—can elevate performance and reliability.
A Floating Ball Valve is a type of Ball Valve where the ball is held in place solely by the valve seats, allowing it to move slightly under system pressure. This movement is the foundation of the floating ball valve working principle, as it presses the ball against the downstream seat to create a tight seal. The floating ball valve design is simple yet effective, making it ideal for low- to medium-pressure pipelines where cost-efficiency and ease of maintenance are important.
A Trunnion Ball Valve, also called a trunnion mounted ball valve, features a ball supported by trunnions at the top and bottom, preventing the ball from moving under pressure. Unlike a Floating Ball Valve, the seats move toward the fixed ball to create the seal. This design is highly effective for large-diameter, high-pressure, or high-temperature pipelines.
The ball is held only by two seats, meaning it “floats” slightly. Under pressure, the ball moves downstream to create a tight seal. This core part of the floating ball valve working principle is why it’s widely used for medium pressure systems.
The ball is supported at both the top and bottom by trunnion stems, preventing movement. This structure is the defining feature of a trunnion mounted ball valve, used in pipelines requiring reliable sealing under extreme pressure.
Because the ball relies on seat pressure to stay in place, the torque is usually higher. More friction = more force required.
With a fixed ball supported by trunnions, operational torque is significantly lower, making it ideal for large-diameter pipelines or automated systems.
Best suited for low to medium pressure conditions.
Typical sizes: 2″ to 8″.
Designed for high-pressure and large-bore applications.
Common in oil & gas, petrochemical, natural gas transmission.
Sealing relies heavily on upstream pressure pushing the ball into the downstream seat. Excellent for bubble-tight shut-off at lower pressures.
Trunnion Ball Valve：
Seats are spring-loaded to maintain constant sealing force. Even at low pressure, it achieves outstanding sealing — one reason buyers often turn to reputable trunnion ball valve manufacturers like GOTEB.
Simple design means fewer parts — but also higher wear on the seats, especially in abrasive or dirty media.
Features dual sealing, lower seat wear, and better cavity pressure relief. This makes a trunnion ball valve the preferred choice for critical pipeline integrity.
Mostly used for smaller valves where high torque isn’t a concern.
Ideal for large-diameter Ball Valves where stability, low torque, and safety matter.
Automation possible but motorized torque requirements can increase costs.
Low torque = perfect for electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic actuators.
Automation-friendly design is a big reason companies choose GOTEB trunnion ball valves.
High pressure concentrates force on one seat, causing faster wear.
Balanced load distribution across multiple support points makes it ideal for long-term heavy service.
Low cost, simpler structure, easier to repair — but seats may require more frequent replacement.
Longer lifespan, more components, less frequent maintenance.
Often equipped with self-relieving seat designs.
Lower cost upfront and great for general industrial use.
Higher initial cost but better performance value for harsh applications.
Engineering teams in oil, gas, and petrochemical industries usually justify the investment due to lower operational risk.
| Comparison Category | Floating Ball Valve | Trunnion Ball Valve |
|---|---|---|
| Ball Support Mechanism | Ball is suspended between seats; no external support | Ball is supported by upper and lower trunnions (shafts) |
| Core Design Concept | Uses floating ball valve design, where ball shifts downstream | Fixed ball structure using a trunnion mounted ball valve design |
| Sealing Principle | Depends on media pressure pushing ball to downstream seat (floating ball valve working principle) | Seats move toward a fixed ball; sealing not determined by line pressure |
| Operating Torque | Higher torque due to friction between ball and seat | Lower torque because ball is fully supported by trunnions |
| Pressure Handling Capability | Ideal for low–medium pressure applications | Designed for high-pressure and high-temperature systems |
| Valve Size Suitability | Economical for small–medium diameters (usually ≤10″) | More efficient and durable for medium–large sizes (≥10″) |
| Leakage Performance | Excellent sealing in smaller valves; sealing may weaken in large sizes | Stable sealing across all sizes; better for critical applications |
| Seat Wear Condition | Seats wear faster because the ball moves under pressure | Seats last longer due to fixed ball and stable pressure distribution |
| Ease of Automation | Automated operation requires larger actuators due to high torque | Easily automated; low torque reduces actuator size and energy use |
| Maintenance Frequency | Higher maintenance because of seat wear and shifting ball | Lower maintenance; longer service life in demanding applications |
| Cost (Initial Investment) | Lower cost for small sizes; budget-friendly | Higher purchase cost but lower lifecycle cost for large/high-pressure systems |
| Lifecycle Cost | More frequent seat replacements; cost adds up with time | Lower long-term cost due to superior durability |
| Application Range | Water systems, light industrial fluids, low-pressure pipelines | Oil & gas, petrochemical, LNG, high-pressure power plants |
| Bidirectional Sealing | Achievable but depends heavily on pressure and size | Consistently strong; seats designed for reliable upstream & downstream sealing |
| Suitability for Abrasive Media | Not ideal; seat damage increases rapidly | Much better due to stable ball + sealed cavity protection |
| Temperature Resistance | Standard performance up to medium temperatures | Excellent for high-temperature or thermal cycling environments |
| Torque Variation Across Temperature | Torque changes significantly with temperature | Torque remains stable regardless of temperature change |
| Weight & Structure | Lightweight, simpler structure | Heavier due to trunnions and reinforced body |
| Installation Space | Compact; ideal for tight spaces | Requires more installation space but provides better structural stability |
| Typical Buyer Profile | Cost-conscious buyers with low-pressure systems | Engineering teams with high-pressure, large-size, or safety-critical needs |
| Manufacturers’ Focus | Common among general Ball Valve suppliers | Specialized trunnion ball valve manufacturers like GOTEB |
| Brand Example | Used widely in general piping systems | GOTEB trunnion ball valves known for high precision & durability |
A chemical production line required a tight-sealing valve for mildly corrosive liquids at 12–18 bar. The original valves were failing prematurely because the ball shifted too aggressively under pressure, damaging the soft seats.
The engineer originally considered a Floating Ball Valve, but the floating ball valve design caused excessive seat wear at this pressure range.
A trunnion mounted ball valve was selected due to:
• Stable ball position under pressure
• Reduced torque requirements
• Longer seat lifespan
• Better cost performance over 3-year operation cycle
Switching to GOTEB trunnion ball valves reduced seat replacement frequency by 57%, saving both downtime costs and material usage.
A municipal water project needed valves for low-pressure clean water pipelines (3–6 bar). Budget was tight, and the client required more than 1,500 pieces.
The technical team evaluated both valve types but found:
• High-pressure capability of trunnion valves wasn’t necessary
• Lower torque and simplicity of floating valves was sufficient
A Floating Ball Valve was chosen because:
• Low pressure → perfect for the floating ball valve working principle
• More economical for mass purchasing
• Simple to maintain, even for field technicians
The procurement team saved 38% of the initial valve budget and still achieved excellent sealing performance.
Choosing between a Floating Ball Valve and a Trunnion Ball Valve doesn’t have to be confusing. When you understand how each design works, their strengths, and their ideal applications, you can make procurement decisions that lower costs, reduce maintenance, and improve system performance. Whether you’re managing small industrial lines or large oil & gas pipelines, selecting high-precision components is critical—and that’s where GOTEB stands out. With a proven commitment to performance, durability, and precision manufacturing, GOTEB trunnion ball valves and floating valve components deliver long-term reliability you can count on.Ready to upgrade your supply chain? Reach out to GOTEB today and experience premium engineering at a competitive cost.
1. What is the main difference between a floating ball valve and a trunnion ball valve?
A floating ball valve uses a free-floating ball, while a trunnion ball valve has a mechanically fixed ball supported by trunnions.
2. Which valve type is better for high-pressure applications?
Trunnion ball valves are preferred for medium to high pressure due to their stability and lower operating torque.
3. Are floating ball valves cheaper?
Yes, floating ball valves generally cost less and are ideal for smaller pipeline sizes and moderate pressures.
4. Can trunnion ball valves handle abrasive media?
Yes, especially when paired with metal seats or hardened ball materials like those supplied by GOTEB.
5. Does GOTEB supply both floating and trunnion ball valve components?
Absolutely—GOTEB manufactures precision Floating Valve Balls, Trunnion Mounted Valve Balls, metal-seated balls, specialty balls, and more.
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