Butterfly valves are more popular due to their low profile and simple designs. They are lightweight, thin and use very less pipeline space than other valves. With disc-shaped seating and a quarter turn, butterfly valves are easy to operate. You need to change the position of the disc as and when you close or open the valve. When you close the valve, the disc is perpendicular to the flow and parallel when you open the valve. Though this is the standard operation of a butterfly valve, there are a few factors that differentiate the capability and usability of the valve. Some of the important factors that differentiate butterfly valves are the material used, body types and methods of operation. Before you reach out to butterfly valve manufacturers in Singapore, it is good to understand these differences; else, choosing a butterfly valve can become a tough task. Let us take a look at the differences in detail to make it easier for you.
Valves are made of a wide variety of materials. The options are limitless, and they can range from PVC to stainless steel. Some of the most common materials popular in butterfly valve manufacturing are cast iron and PVC.
Cast Iron Butterfly Valves
Cast iron is a metal that has more structural integrity and withstands extreme temperatures. Butterfly valves made of cast iron are mostly used for industrial processes that require tougher valves. It is the most cost-effective option compared to other types of valves as it is versatile, long-lasting, and perfect for a variety of industrial applications.
Also Read : The 411 On How Butterfly Valves Work!
PVC Butterfly Valves
PVC is a common plastic material used for making butterfly valves. PVCs are lightweight and have high compatibility with most chemicals. It possesses good structural integrity and is an inexpensive choice compared to metals. PVC butterfly valves are ideal for applications that have low to moderate intensity.
The body type of valves differentiates the way valves fit the pipeline. Butterfly valves come in two different body types, namely Lug style and Wafer style.
Lug Style Butterfly Valves
Lug Valves are more suitable for applications that require constant maintenance and cleaning. These valves come with two sets of different bolts. One set attaches to each flange, and the remaining set is placed between the piping and valve to form a strong seal. You can remove the adjacent pieces of the piping while the application is operating.
Wafer Style Butterfly Valves
Wafer valves come with 2 or 4 holes that align and secures the valve to the pipeline. They can handle twice the pressure compared to lug valves. Wafer valves do not come with bolt mounts and are tough to maintain, which is a downer. You need to shut down the system for any maintenance work.
Butterfly valves also differ from each other based on the different methods of operation. The methods of operations can either be manual or automated. The different butterfly valves based on methods of operations include –
Lever-Operated
The lever is a manual method in which a quarter-turn lever provides the locking mechanism to open and close the valve. The lever will turn the stem of the valve. It is the simplest method of operations but hard and impractical to use with larger valves.
Gear Wheel Operated
The gear wheel is a common manual method of operation to open and close a valve. It has a hand-operated wheel that rotates a gear. The gear is fixed to the stem that moves the disk. This method is used with small and big butterfly valves. It uses an intuitive mechanical method to operate instead of human strength that makes it easy to operate.
Automated Actuation
Actuation is an automated method of operation and is commonly used for industrial applications. The actuators will fit only specially-made, large valves that meet certain standards.
Each of these valves is designed for a different purpose and has its advantages and disadvantages. You need to assess your requirements carefully before choosing the right one.
We are one of the leading industrial valve manufacturers in Singapore committed to providing high-quality butterfly valves for high-intensity industrial applications. We have a team who are happy to help you with any valve requirements. Get in touch with us today.
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