Butterfly Valve

Butterfly Valve

An API standard butterfly valve is a type of valve used to control or isolate the flow of fluids through pipelines. It is characterized by its quarter-turn rotational operation and is widely used in various industrial applications for its efficiency and compact design.

General Description

  • Function: Butterfly valves are used for regulating, isolating, and throttling fluid flow. They are particularly valued for their ability to handle large volumes of fluid with a compact design, which makes them suitable for applications where space is limited.
  • Construction: The main components of a butterfly valve include:
    • Disc (or Blade): A circular plate that rotates within the valve body to control the flow. When the disc is parallel to the flow, the valve is open; when perpendicular, it is closed.
    • Body: The main part of the valve that houses the disc and other components. It is typically made from materials like cast iron, stainless steel, or other alloys.
    • Stem: Connects the disc to the actuator or handle and allows for the rotation of the disc.
    • Seat: Provides a sealing surface around the disc to prevent leakage when the valve is closed. Seats are often made from elastomers like EPDM, PTFE, or metal.

API Standards

API 609/API 6D

  • Design: Butterfly valves are characterized by their quarter-turn operation. The disc is mounted on a shaft and rotates to open or close the valve. The design allows for quick and easy operation and is suitable for large-diameter pipelines.
  • Materials: Butterfly valves can be constructed from a variety of materials, including:
    • Body Materials: Cast iron, ductile iron, carbon steel, stainless steel, and alloy steels.
    • Disc Materials: Stainless steel, aluminum bronze, and other corrosion-resistant materials.
    • Seat Materials: Elastomers such as EPDM, NBR, PTFE, or metal.
  • Pressure Rating: Available in various pressure ratings, such as ANSI Class 150, 300, 600, etc., to accommodate different operating pressures. Higher pressure on request.
  • Size Range: Available in a wide range of sizes, from small to large diameters, to meet diverse application requirements.
  • End Connections: Can be equipped with various end connections, including flanged, wafer, or lug-type connections, depending on the piping system.
  • Oil and Gas, Water and Wastewater, Chemical Processing etc.

  • Butterfly valves can be operated manually with a handle or lever, or automatically with electric or pneumatic actuators. The quarter-turn operation allows for quick and straightforward control.