Butterfly Valves
Butterfly Valves
A butterfly valve is a type of valve used for regulating or controlling the flow of liquids, gases, or slurries in a pipeline. It is a quarter-turn valve, meaning it is operated by rotating the valve handle or actuator by 90 degrees to either fully open or fully close the valve. Butterfly valves are used in a variety of industries, including water treatment, chemical processing, oil and gas, HVAC systems, and food and beverage applications.
Components of a Butterfly Valve
- The valve body is the main structural part of the butterfly valve. It houses all the internal components and provides the connection to the pipeline. It is typically made from materials like cast iron, stainless steel, or plastic, depending on the application.
- The disc is the key component of the valve, typically located in the center of the valve body. It is the part that moves to control the flow. The disc rotates on a spindle or shaft, and its position determines the size of the opening through which the fluid passes.
Types of Butterfly Valves
- Wafer Butterfly Valve: The wafer-style valve is typically sandwiched between two flanges in a pipeline. This is a lightweight design that’s easy to install and remove, making it ideal for smaller pipelines.
- Lug Butterfly Valve: The lug style has threaded lugs on either side of the valve body, allowing it to be bolted into place without requiring bolts through the body.
- Flanged Butterfly Valve: The flanged butterfly valve has flanges on either side of the body, which allows for a more secure installation where the valve is bolted directly to the pipeline flanges.
- Triple Offset Butterfly Valve: This design uses three offsets: one on the stem, one on the disc, and one on the body. These offsets provide a more precise seal and reduce wear over time, making this type ideal for high-performance, high-temperature, and high-pressure applications.