A butterfly valve is a valve that consists of a disc that is placed in the middle of a pipework to regulate the flow of fluid. This type of valve is preferred in numerous industries because they are relatively cheaper and require low maintenance. However, like all things in life, butterfly valves have advantages and disadvantages that should be considered before deciding to use them in any application. In this blog post, we will explore the advantages and disadvantages of butterfly valves so you can decide when to choose the right valve for your application.
What is Butterfly Valve?
A butterfly valve regulates and controls the flow of materials, usually liquids and gases. It comprises a stem, disc, actuator and seat ring. Its operation relies on turning the stem or actuating lever to rotate the disc – which can be either fully open or closed – causing it to open or close partially against its seat ring. This capability makes them an ideal choice for applications requiring precise flow regulation.
Advantages of Butterfly Valve
Cost-effective:
Butterfly valves are much cheaper to install, operate and maintain compared to other types of valves like globe valves, gate valves, and ball valves. This makes them ideal for large-scale industrial applications such as water treatment plants, chemical processing plants, and food and beverage production.
Easy to Operate:
Butterfly valves have a simple design for easy operation. The valve can be operated manually or remotely using an actuator. This ease of operation translates to reduced downtime, improved productivity, and increased efficiency in industrial processes.
Lightweight and Compact:
Butterfly valves are lightweight compared to other valves, which makes them easy to install and maintain. They also take up less space, an added benefit in applications where space is a constraint.
High Flow Capacity:
Butterfly valves have a larger flow capacity than other valves, making them ideal for applications that require large volumes of fluid to be transported quickly. This makes butterfly valves an ideal choice for water treatment systems.
Disadvantages of Butterfly Valve
Limited pressure range:
Butterfly valves may not be ideal for high-pressure applications since they are mostly used in low-pressure systems. If the operating pressure exceeds the limit specified for a butterfly valve, the valve could fail, causing serious damage.
Limited temperature range:
The temperature range for butterfly valves is narrow, making them unsuitable for applications that require the transportation of fluids at high temperatures.
Seating issues:
Butterfly valves may have a problem with sealing, which can cause leakage, especially in critical applications where fluid leakage could result in environmental and financial damages.
Not suitable for throttling:
Butterfly valves are not ideal for applications that require fluid flow regulation since they are only designed to be fully open or fully closed. Attempting to use the valve for throttling can result in cavitation, vibration, and other problems.
Conclusion:
Butterfly valves have numerous advantages, making them a preferred choice in many industrial applications. They are easy to operate, lightweight, compact, and cost-effective. However, they also have some disadvantages that should be considered before using them. The narrow temperature range, limited pressure range, seating issues, and non-throttling design make them unsuitable for some applications. Before selecting a butterfly valve, it’s important to consider the advantages and disadvantages and confirm that it is the right valve for your process.
