Butterfly valves are used in a variety of different industries and in many piping and machinery applications. Butterfly valves are most commonly used to control the flow of water or other liquids in a section of pipe. A high performance butterfly valve works similarly to a ball valve. The valve has a flat, round plate positioned at a certain point in the pipe, and pivots on a rod that goes through the valve to control flow through the pipe.

The pricing and costs of butterfly valves will vary depending on the size and type of valves you need. The most common types of butterfly valves on the market are:

1. High-performance butterfly valves that can hold up in a variety of environments.

2. High-pressure butterfly valves that can handle large amounts of water pressure.

3. Industrial butterfly valves that are sized to fit larger pipes.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose the right size of industrial butterfly valves for the job

The sizing of a butterfly valve will often correspond to the size of the pipe you will use to control liquid flow. But you will also have to consider the type of pipe you're using in order to find the butterfly valve that has the right pressure settings. The costs of butterfly valves can range from $125 to $500, according to size.

I recommend: Assured Automation provides many sizes of industrial butterfly valves for a range of applications. Siemens offers a butterfly valve selection guide that can help you choose the right valve for the job.

Consider the different control options for your butterfly valve

There are many different control options for butterfly valves. If you want an automated system, you can find valves with pneumatic or electric controls. There are also many manual control options, such as a manual wheel, geared hand or lever control. Pneumatic controls cost around $840, electric controls cost $450 to $500, and manual controls range from $125 to $375.

I recommend: Butterfly Valves & Controls offers a range of valves with automated controls and manual controls. Val-matic offers product specs, drawings, and operation manuals available for all its products.

Buy high-pressure butterfly valves for pressured systems

High-pressure butterfly valves can handle much more pressure than regular valves. A high-pressure valve has a better pressure rating than standard valves. A standard valve can handle 56 or 75 PSI at 70 degrees, but high pressure valves work at 110 PSI or above at the same temperature. High-pressure valves can cost $500 or more, depending on the type of controls you choose.

I recommend: Asahi America offers many types of high-pressure butterfly valves, from 16 to 24 inches. Valve & Equipment Consultants offers detailed information on pressure ratings, operation, maintenance issues and consulting services to find the right valves for the job.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Many butterfly valve suppliers carry a range of sizes for pipes, but you can also find suppliers and manufacturers that will create custom valves for special projects.

A butterfly valve is a sturdy type of quarter turn valve. It consists of an internal disk with a stem through the middle (across the diameter) that attaches to an external actuator. Turning the actuator such that the disk is in line with the pipe allows relatively unrestricted flow. Turning the actuator a quarter-turn moves the disk to a perpendicular position to shut off flow. Various positions between the off and on positions allow for partial flow.

The various types of quarter-turn valves are versatile, but each is best suited for a particular situation. Butterfly valves are excellent for fluid, as opposed to gas, applications, especially in cisterns and a wide range of pipe sizes. Some industrial butterfly valves have a hand operated valve, while others turn by electric motor or pneumatics.

Here are a few parameters of industrial butterfly valves:

1. Butterfly valve sizes range from less than 1 inch to over 200 inches.

2. Butterfly valve housings are either wafers or lugs that match pipe flanges.

3. High pressure butterfly valves or a high performance butterfly valve can handle pressure in excess of 700 psi or temperatures up to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose from butterfly valve manufacturers

Butterfly valves come in a wide range of sizes and ratings. You'll want to find butterfly valve manufacturers and butterfly valve distributors that carry the right butterfly valves to fit your applications. There are a lot of these sources, so do some price comparisons and never settle for an inferior product.

I recommend: Grainger carries a huge selection of butterfly valves with various manual handle types, sizes up to 12 inches and a nice range of pressure and temperature ratings. Assured Automation carries sizes up to 24 inches, with several automated actuator options. For large industrial butterfly valves up to 110 inches, high pressure butterfly valves, or for a high performance butterfly valve, start with Tyco Flow Control.

Install your butterfly valves

Industrial butterfly valve installation can vary from application to application, but most installs are very similar. You'll want to make sure the material composition of the valve is compatible with the pipes, as well as the liquid that will pass through them.

I recommend: Pay attention to information from the manufacturer. Additionally, Milliken Valve Company offers an online document that shows you how to install their valves. Even if you don't buy your valves from Milliken, the document is a good general example. Another installation example from George Fischer has more information on butterfly valves.

Inspect and repair your butterfly valves

Butterfly valves require little or no regular maintenance. However, butterfly valves should be inspected from time to time for wear on their parts or any dysfunction.

I recommend: After installing a butterfly valve, completely read the literature from the manufacturer and file it away for future use. Akron Brass Company has a useful operation manual you could refer to in a pinch. When it comes to repair, contact Furmanite, which handles even large jobs.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  A butterfly valve is not ideal for food service or medical applications because it's not as easy to clean as a valve closed by a compression nut.

High-pressure butterfly valves are a pretty simple piece of machinery, but if not maintained or used properly they can cause serious issues. Training your employees in the proper installation, care and maintenance of butterfly valves is the key to preventing accidents. Save lives and your bottom line by training your workforce.

Get butterfly valve information from several sources online. If you don't already have a manufacturer that supplies your valves, look for one that will provide training and assistance. If your current manufacturer isn't much of a help, don't fret. There are many other educational opportunities for you to utilize. Start by:

1. Contacting valve manufacturers to find out what resources they offer.

2. Joining associations to find butterfly valves education and training opportunities.

3. Hiring a professional organization to train your employees.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get information from butterfly valve manufacturers

Some of your fastest and most reliable butterfly valve training can come directly from the source. Ask the manufacturer of your valves if they offer any training materials. Some even provide on-site training and refresher courses.

I recommend: Milliken Valve Company offers online access to their high pressure butterfly valves' operations and maintenance manuals which can be a valuable educational tool when working with butterfly valves in general. XOMOX Corporation has complete descriptions including specs, operating torques, flow characteristics, temperature charts and more for their butterfly valve products.

Join an industrial or engineering organization to gain access to tons of butterfly valve resources

Network with others who use butterfly valves to gain valuable insight into their workings and flaws. Get tips from organizations that have good valve retention and find out about the latest butterfly valve news and trends.

I recommend: The National Association of Manufacturers is a great organization to join with a membership that includes small and medium manufacturers, multinational firms and 350 other associations. Joining the National Society of Professional Engineers allows you access to federal, state and local groups that share your interests and involvements.

Hire a qualified company to train employees about industrial butterfly valves

Training all employees that will be working with butterfly valves is very important for their safety and your bottom line. Keep your equipment running smoothly, and make sure your employees stay safe by hiring a company or educational facility to train them in the proper operations of butterfly valves.

I recommend: The Petroleum Training Institute offers courses to the oil and gas industries. Their Modern Valve Technology Course has an overview of valves and functions and includes information about the Butterfly Valve. Emerson Process Management offers control valve training in many areas including operations and maintenance.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Because a high performance butterfly valve handles thousands of pressure of liquids or gas each day, it's important to make sure it is working properly. A person that is highly trained in proper maintenance and safety should check valves regularly.