Butterfly valve: what is it and how does it work?

A butterfly valve is a mechanical device with a lever that controls the flow of a liquid or gas. These valves are highly versatile and used in various fields, from the chemical industry to the food industry. Butterfly valves can be found in pipes, pumps, boilers, tanks, and other equipment.

Types of butterfly valves

There are different types of butterfly valves. The most common ones are double diaphragm butterfly valves, knife gate butterfly valves, disc butterfly valves, and ball butterfly valves.

Double diaphragm butterfly valves

Double diaphragm butterfly valves consist of two latex diaphragms that open and close to control the flow of liquid or gas. These valves are highly efficient and are used in the chemical industry to control the flow of corrosive liquids.

Knife gate butterfly valves

Knife gate butterfly valves are made up of a metal plate with a guillotine-shaped slot. This plate opens and closes to control the flow of liquid or gas. These valves are used to control the flow of liquids at low pressure.

Disc butterfly valves

Disc butterfly valves consist of a metal disc with a slot. This slot opens and closes to control the flow of liquid or gas. These valves are used to control the flow of liquids at high pressures.

Ball butterfly valves

Ball butterfly valves consist of a metal ball with a slot. This slot opens and closes to control the flow of liquid or gas. These valves are used to control the flow of liquids at very high pressure.

How does a butterfly valve work?

Butterfly valves work by using a lever to control the flow of liquid or gas. The valve opens by turning the lever in one direction and closes by turning the lever in the opposite direction. The lever is connected to a rod that extends into the valve. This rod is connected to a plate, diaphragm, or ball that opens and closes to control the flow of liquid or gas.

Advantages of butterfly valves

Butterfly valves offer many advantages. These valves are very versatile and can be used to control the flow of liquids and gases. Additionally, these valves are easy to install and maintain. They are highly reliable and have a long lifespan. They are also very efficient and can be used to control the flow of liquids and gases in high-pressure systems.

Another significant advantage of butterfly valves is their compact and lightweight design. Compared to other types of valves, butterfly valves take up less space and are easier to handle. This makes them ideal for applications in confined spaces or systems that require high mobility.

Finally, butterfly valves are very economical in terms of cost and maintenance. Their simple design and ease of use make them a popular choice for most industrial applications.

Disadvantages of butterfly valves

Despite their advantages, butterfly valves have some limitations. Firstly, they are not ideal for controlling the flow of liquids with suspended solid particles, as the particles can get stuck in the valve slot, hindering its opening and closing.

If you have any questions or want to know which product best suits your needs, do not hesitate to contact hidroconta. We will be happy to help you.