What is a butterfly valve used for?

A butterfly valve is one of the flow-control devices that closes, opens, or isolates and controls fluid — liquid, gas, or slurry — flow in a piping system. Because it's small, can operate quickly, and is cheap, it's one of the most commonly used valves in worldwide industrial processes.

But why and for what uses is a butterfly valve utilized, anyway? Let's find out.".

How Does a Butterfly Valve Work

A butterfly valve is made up of a disc that is disc-shaped and sits on a stem that goes down through the middle. At shutdown, the disc is rotated to shut off the flow path. On opening, the disc is rotated a quarter turn so fluid flow can be permitted with little restriction. The valve can also be opened partially to permit flow regulation.

The quarter-turn motion makes butterfly valves simple, effective, and fast.

General Applications of Butterfly Valves

1. Sewerage and Water Supply Systems

Butterfly valves are widely used in municipal supply systems and water treatment plants. They are fitted into water mains for flow control, section isolation during maintenance, or system pressure regulation. They are corrosion-proof and dependable, therefore ideal for long-term use under these conditions.

2. HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning)

HVAC butterfly valves control air, water, and refrigerant flow. They are found in space-restricted situations such as machine rooms or ductwork.

3. Chemical and Oil Industries

The chemical and petroleum industry largely employs butterfly valves for corrosion-resistance capability and the ability in corrosion-resistant materials. They regulate acid, hydrocarbon, and gas flow for low- and high-pressure operation.

4. Food and Beverage Processing

Stainless steel and sanitary-grade material butterfly valves can find application in dairying, brewing, and the pharmaceutical industry. They are simple to sanitize, allow free control of flow for smooth fluid flow, and are best suited to consumer material standards based on hygiene.

5. Power Generation

Power plants use butterfly valves to carry out their operations in cooling water systems, steam control systems, and fuel handling because the nature of butterfly valves makes them adept at withstanding pressure and heat.

6. Marine Applications

Butterfly valves find applications in ballast systems, bilge water, and ship and offshore platform seawater intake. They are best used in marine conditions due to their lightweight and corrosion resistance.

7. Fire Protection Systems

Fire protection systems are part of butterfly valves. They offer fast shut-off control of foam and water systems and are simple to control and monitor in the event of emergency operation.

Main Benefits of Using Butterfly Valve

• Instant Action – 90-degree turn to open or close.

• Space Saving and Light Weight – Occupies less space and fewer structural loads.

• Economical – Cheaper than most other valves.

• Low Maintenance – Fewer moving parts, elements, less wear and tear.

• Multi-Purpose – Will operate a variety of temperatures, pressures, and medium types.

Conclusion

A butterfly valve is a flexible and effective fluid control device to utilize in pipelines. Marine and food processing, to HVAC systems and water treatment plants, are some of the places where they are an integral part of modern infrastructure. Rugged, simple, and cheap to operate make them engineers' and facility managers' top priority.

If your company is engaged in the design or operation of systems, a knowledge of how butterfly valves operate — and when to apply them — will come in handy when selecting the best valve in terms of performance, durability, and safety.