High-performance Butterfly Valves
Figure 1: Stainless steel butterfly valves
High-performance butterfly valves offer better operating performance than general service butterfly valves. This is due to the materials used to construct a high-performance butterfly valve. Whether or not a high-performance butterfly valve is necessary for an application depends on the media's temperature, pressure, and corrosiveness. This article covers these factors and discusses typical applications for high-performance butterfly valves.
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Butterfly valves
Butterfly valves are used in systems where fast shutoff is necessary. These valves are quarter-turn valves, meaning the valve stem only rotates 90° to open or close the valve fully. Butterfly valves have the following advantages:
- Weight: Butterfly valves are lightweight compared to other valve types, especially at larger orifice sizes.
- Installation space: Butterfly valves have narrow face-to-face dimensions, offering a relatively small installation footprint.
- Cost: Butterfly valves are relatively cost-effective.
- Larger sizes: Butterfly valves with large orifice sizes are readily available.
- Actuation: Butterfly valves can be actuated manually, pneumatically, hydraulically, or electrically.
Learn more about this valve and its components by reading our butterfly valve overview article.
High-performance butterfly valves
The difference between a high-performance butterfly valve and a general service butterfly valve is the material used to construct each type of valve. High-performance butterfly valves use more robust materials to provide the following improvements:
- Increased temperature and pressure ratings
- Improved corrosion resistance
- Improved sealing
Temperature and pressure
A high-performance butterfly valve's exact temperature and pressure rating depend on the manufacturer and the specific material used. The following are some general comparisons between high-performance and general service butterfly valves:
- Temperature: High-performance butterfly valves operate between -28 °C and 500 °C (-18 °F to 932 °F). Some can operate at higher temperatures. General service butterfly valves work from -28 °C to 98 °C (-18 °F to 208 °F). Some can operate up to 250 °C (482 °F).
- Pressure: Typical high-performance butterfly valves work up to 51 bar (740 psi). Some are manufactured to work at higher pressures. General service butterfly valves typically work up to 14 bar (200 psi).
Materials
A high-performance butterfly valve's materials give it improved corrosion resistance and sealing.
- Body: High-performance butterfly valve bodies are made of carbon steel or stainless steel. Some are made of ductile iron, which also increases its pressure resistance.
- Seat: The seats are typically made of Teflon (PTFE). PTFE holds up well against chemically reactive and corrosive media, steam, and gasses.
- Seal: Seals for high-performance butterfly valves can be PTFE, EPDM, and NBR. Metal-to-metal seals are available for very high-temperature and pressure applications.
Applications
High-performance butterfly valves are suitable for applications that have higher temperature and pressure requirements, as well as applications that have corrosive media flowing through them.
- Oil and gas: High-performance butterfly valves are used in the oil and gas industry to control high-temperature and high-pressure fluids.
- Chemical processing: Chemical processing involves corrosive and toxic chemicals, making high-performance butterfly valves more suitable.
- Power generation: High-performance butterfly valves are suitable for controlling the flow of steam in power plants.
- Food and beverage: High-performance butterfly valves offer better sealing, making them more suitable for food and beverage industries.
Figure 2: Stainless steel butterfly valve used in the food and beverage industry
FAQs
What is a high performance butterfly valve?
A high performance butterfly valve is a type of butterfly valve made of more robust materials, such as stainless steel or carbon steel. These valves are used in high temperature and pressure applications.
What size are high performance butterfly valves?
High performance butterfly valves range in size from 50 to 1500 mm (2 - 60 inches).