By rotating a disc a quarter turn, a butterfly valve controls stops, and starts the flow of materials in a big pipe. It is mounted on a rotating shaft and contains a disc that blocks the line when fully closed, and when open, it sets at right angles to the flow when fully open. As we will see here, its invention has enabled the development of new applications in a variety of industries.
A rod feeds through the center of the disc to operate this valve. An actuator controls the disc’s motion. The flow is either parallel or perpendicular to it. The disc of the valve is always in the flow, causing it to change its position in response to pressure.
A butterfly valve is named after its movement resembles that of a wing while flying. There is a rod analogous to its body, and a disc that moves like a wing. As a butterfly lands with its wings moving 90 degrees up and down, the action of this valve is the same.
Using a Butterfly Valve in Various Industrial Applications:
Industrial butterfly valves regulate and stop the flow of media. The disc opens and closes with low torque at a right angle and is suitable for all applications. Due to their lightweight nature and lower cost, these items are preferred over other valves. Other advantages include their ability to withstand extreme temperatures and even corrosion.
As corrosion and extreme temperatures easily compromise a valve’s seal, butterfly valves ensure their integrity. It is useful in high-stakes applications such as energy production and petrochemical production.
For some processes, wear-resistant valves with unique features are required with a high degree of tolerance. The butterfly valve is an ideal choice for such functions. Here are a few typical applications for butterfly valves that rely on their unique mechanisms:
In Food Processing
There is a complex and diverse network of businesses that supply edibles to the world’s population in the food processing industry. Food is provided on a large scale, so maintaining quality, safety, and cleanliness is essential. In a factory or plant, workers rely on it to make their jobs easier and get the process done quickly, proving its efficiency.
In addition, this modern piece of equipment keeps a clean environment, so those with food allergies or dietary restrictions don’t have to worry about contamination. Additionally, they are easier to clean and maintain than gate valves.
When you spend too much time cleaning equipment, it will slow down production and cost managers and supervisors valuable time. In order to eliminate such inconveniences, butterfly valves in the industry are an ingenious design. Easy to maintain, its material ensures quality and safety, and it is easy to maintain.
The clamps on these items make it easy to manipulate media flow, giving you authority and streamlining operations. With an opening and closing range of 0-90 degrees, the workers can customize it to meet their individual needs. Finally, its parts undergo rigorous testing to ensure they are suitable for the job and reliable.
Oil & Gas Refineries
As offshore oil rigs and pipelines operate in harsh environments, only heavy-duty valves like triple-offset valves (TRVs) can handle hostile environments and aggressive media. For these valves, extreme operating conditions range from temperatures exceeding 816 degrees Celsius to a pressure exceeding 25,000 PSIG and cryogenic environments down to -162 degrees Celsius for LNG.
Oil and gas applications require an incredible amount of reliability, resulting in minimal maintenance and long life for butterfly valves. Their materials handle aggressive media and withstand explosive environments, so they are rugged, heavy-duty, and suitable for their use.
For critical and non-critical refinery applications that require isolation, TVs are the most efficient solution in terms of cost, weight, and space savings. Zero leakage and ASME Class 1500 pressure ratings make them ideal for turrets of floating production storage and offloading vessels (FPSO), water treatment, and gas compression.
As Shut Off Valves
The butterfly valve is used as a general shut-off valve above 1.5″ to 148″. As an industrial valve, it provides a tighter seal than a globe valve’s gate and is bubble-tight. When closed, it prevents fluid from passing through the pipe. As a result of its simple design, it takes up less space and weighs less than other types of valves.
Large-diameter pipes require this valve for flow regulation and fluid stoppage and it functions as a throttling valve to regulate flow rates. With its versatile design, it can be used for a wide range of applications and is available in a variety of sizes and designs for different applications.
In the Ship Building
Since butterfly valves are highly reliable and durable, they are used in power generation industrial applications where ABS-approved materials are utilized. In order to prevent fluid flow in the pipe, it creates a water-tight shut-off in the piping. As a result of their small size, they can be used in tight spaces aboard ships.
Jack-up rigs, ballast systems, shipside, firefighting apparatus, domestic piping, and many other applications use these valves. For example, forward and aft seawater suction lines or lines from tanks to pumps use them.
A Few Typical Applications of a Butterfly Valve in Industry:
- Cooling air, water, and gases.
- High pressure, water temperature, and steam service.
- Slurry and vacuum services.
- Regulating and isolating the flow.
- Compress air or gas applications.
- Preventing backflow in some situations.
Butterfly valves usually have the stem oriented vertically with the actuator above, but sometimes the branch is positioned horizontally.
Final Words
As a result of quarter-turn operations, butterfly valve technology has advanced over the years. These items have become increasingly popular in a variety of construction processes, which has led to a large number of industries producing them at a high level of quality. In different industrial applications, they offer a variety of advantages, which makes them popular.
Large butterfly valves used in industry are equipped with gearboxes that facilitate fast and easy opening and closing. Because of its simple design, it is easy to build and uses less material. Furthermore, due to their compact design, they take up less space, are highly reliable, and require little maintenance, extending their useful life.
Aira Euro Automation is a leading butterfly valve supplier in India. Aira has a wide range of Industrial valves.
