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Butterfly Valves

Regulate the liquid flow of your manufacturing operation with a butterfly valve

By W. Aiman Mueller
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.

 

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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.

 

  • 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.

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