When customers first reach out to our trunnion ball valve supply business for refrigeration system components, the question I hear most often is: “Can a trunnion ball valve really handle the unique demands of refrigeration?” It’s a fair question—refrigeration systems operate in some of the harshest, most precise conditions in industrial piping, and using the wrong valve can lead to leakages, efficiency drops, or even system failures. Over 12 years in this industry, I’ve worked with HVACR engineers, plant operators, and maintenance teams to sort out what makes a valve work (or fail) in these environments, and trunnion ball valves consistently stand out as one of the most reliable choices when specified correctly. Trunnion Ball Valve
First, let’s break down why refrigeration systems are so hard on valves. Unlike water or air systems that run at roughly ambient temperatures, refrigeration uses refrigerants that cycle between extreme low temperatures (as low as -40°F for ammonia or -100°F for some specialty cryogenic refrigerants) and moderate operating temperatures during compression. These temperature swings cause piping materials to expand and contract, putting stress on valve seals and stem packing. Additionally, refrigerants—whether traditional options like R-22 or newer low-GWP alternatives like R-32, R-454B, or hydrocarbons—can be corrosive if moisture or impurities get into the system, and they require tight, consistent sealing to prevent refrigerant loss (which not only hurts efficiency but also violates environmental regulations in many regions). There’s also the pressure aspect: high-pressure refrigeration lines for industrial chillers or supermarket refrigeration systems can run at 250 PSI or more, while low-temperature lines for walk-in freezers might hold just 15 PSI but need to seal perfectly against air infiltration.
Now, what’s a trunnion ball valve, and how does its design address these challenges? Unlike a floating ball valve, where the ball is held in place only by the stem on one side, a trunnion ball valve has two trunnions (small shafts) supporting the ball from both the top and bottom. That design eliminates the “floating” movement of the ball, which is a huge benefit for refrigeration. Let’s get specific: at low temperatures, the valve body contracts, and the ball—supported by trunnions—maintains consistent contact with the seat seals, rather than pulling away (as a floating ball might do when the body shrinks). That means less risk of leaks during start-up or when the system cycles from idle to full load.
The seat design on trunnion valves is another key point for refrigeration. Most trunnion ball valves used in refrigeration use soft seats made from materials like PTFE, reinforced PEEK, or modified nylon—all chosen to withstand cryogenic temperatures and refrigerant compatibility. Soft seats create a bubble-tight seal, which is non-negotiable for refrigeration systems. A single tiny leak in a low-temperature line can let warm air in, forcing the compressor to work harder, increasing energy costs, and even causing ice buildup that blocks lines. In fact, during a recent project with a regional cold storage facility, we replaced 16 floating ball valves with trunnion models, and their refrigerant loss dropped by 92% in the first year—saving the facility over $18,000 in annual refrigerant replacement and energy bills.
But trunnion ball valves aren’t one-size-fits-all for refrigeration. There are specific use cases where they shine, and others where they might not be the best fit. Let’s start with where they work best: industrial refrigeration systems (like cold storage warehouses, food processing plants, and ice rinks), cryogenic applications (like LNG or medical refrigerant storage), and high-pressure commercial HVAC systems. These environments need the structural integrity of trunnion support to handle both pressure cycles and temperature fluctuations. For example, in ammonia-based refrigeration systems—common in large food processing plants—ammonia is corrosive and can escape through even the smallest gap. Trunnion valves with corrosion-resistant body materials (like carbon steel coated with epoxy or 316L stainless steel) hold up far better than floating valves over time, reducing maintenance downtime.
Where trunnion ball valves might not be ideal is in small, low-pressure residential or light commercial systems, where the lower cost and simpler design of a floating ball valve makes more sense. Trunnion valves are heavier, more expensive, and require more precise installation, so they’re overkill for a 3-ton residential AC unit. But for any refrigeration system that runs 24/7, has temperature swings of 100°F or more, or handles high-pressure refrigerants, trunnion valves are a strategic investment rather than an extra cost.
I’ve also seen a lot of confusion about compatibility with newer refrigerants, which is a big topic right now as regulations phase out high-GWP (global warming potential) refrigerants. Many operators worry that trunnion valve seals won’t work with hydrocarbons (like propane, used in some new systems) or low-GWP blends. The good news is that modern trunnion valve manufacturers (including us, for our refrigeration-focused lines) test and qualify soft materials specifically for these refrigerants. For example, our trunnion ball valves use seats that are tested for 10,000+ cycles with R-454B and propane, maintaining seal integrity even at -40°F. We worked with a team of HVACR engineers last year to validate these seats, and they passed UL 60357 testing for refrigerant compatibility—a standard that’s critical for North American systems.
Another factor to consider is maintenance, which is often overlooked in refrigeration systems. Trunnion ball valves require less frequent maintenance than floating valves in high-cycle systems. Because the ball is supported by trunnions, the stem doesn’t have to bear the full weight of the ball, so stem packing lasts longer. In a cold storage facility that runs its valves daily (opening and closing to isolate sections for repairs), we’ve seen trunnion valves go 3-5 years without repacking, compared to 1-2 years for floating valves. That reduces labor costs and downtime, which is a huge plus for facilities that can’t afford to shut down for extended periods—especially food processing plants where product spoilage is a major risk.
Wait, but there’s a common misconception that trunnion ball valves are only for large pipes. That’s not true. We supply trunnion valves as small as 1 inch for supermarket display case lines and as large as 24 inches for industrial chiller systems. For small cryogenic lines (like medical refrigerant transport), our 1-inch trunnion valves with PEEK seats work perfectly, handling the low temperatures and tight seal requirements.
Of course, no valve is perfect, and there are a few caveats when using trunnion ball valves in refrigeration. First, installation matters. Trunnion valves need to be mounted correctly—generally with the stem horizontal—to ensure the ball is properly supported. If a trunnion valve is installed vertically with the stem pointing up or down, the ball’s weight can cause uneven seal wear over time. Second, proper sizing is critical. A valve that’s too small can restrict flow, causing pressure drops that reduce system efficiency, while a valve that’s too large might not seal properly at partial opening. We always work with customers to verify pipe size, operating pressure, and refrigerant type before recommending a trunnion valve, to avoid these issues.
I should also mention that trunnion ball valves can handle both on-off and some throttling applications in refrigeration. While ball valves aren’t ideal for continuous throttling, modern trunnion designs have anti-cavitation trim that allows them to moderate flow without damaging the ball or seats. For a facility that needs to adjust flow to different cold storage zones, this is a valuable feature that trunnion valves offer over gate or globe valves, which are slower to operate and more prone to wear in these conditions.
Over the past decade, the shift to low-GWP refrigerants has made trunnion ball valves even more important. Many of these new refrigerants are slightly more volatile than older options, so a tight seal is non-negotiable. I recently spoke with a maintenance manager at a regional supermarket chain who was dealing with frequent refrigerant alarms at 10 of their locations. They were using floating valves, which were leaking small amounts of R-454B. After switching to trunnion ball valves, those alarms dropped to zero. That’s the kind of tangible result that makes our work worth it.
So, to circle back to the original question: yes, trunnion ball valves absolutely can be used in refrigeration systems—when selected for the specific application, with compatible seat materials, and installed correctly. They aren’t the right choice for every refrigeration system, but for the ones that demand reliability, long-term performance, and minimal leakage, they’re unmatched by other valve types.
If you’re working on a refrigeration project—whether it’s a new cold storage facility, a supermarket upgrade, or a cryogenic system—and you’re not sure if a trunnion ball valve is the right fit, we’re here to help. Our team has decades of experience with industrial refrigeration components, and we can walk you through sizing, material selection, and installation best practices to ensure your system runs efficiently and reliably for years to come. Reach out to our team to discuss your needs and get a customized valve solution for your refrigeration system.
Butterfly Valve References
- ASHRAE Handbook: Refrigeration Systems and Applications, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers
- UL Standard 60357: Safety Requirements for Refrigerant Control Valves
- HVACR Research Foundation. (2022). Valve Performance in Low-GWP Refrigeration Systems
- Trunnion Ball Valve Design for Cryogenic Service, Journal of Pressure Vessel Technology, 2021
Zhejiang Sunawei Valve Co., Ltd.
As one of the most professional trunnion ball valve manufacturers and suppliers in China, we offer a wide range of valves with superior quality. Please feel free to wholesale high quality trunnion ball valve at competitive price from our factory. We also accept customized orders.
Address: Anfeng Industrial, Oubei Town, Wenzhou City, Zhejiang, China
E-mail: snv@sunawevalve.com
WebSite: https://www.sunay-valves.com/
