A wafer butterfly valve is a type of quarter-turn valve that regulates the flow of fluids in a pipeline. It's called a "wafer" valve due to its slim, wafer-like profile, allowing it to be installed between two flanges without the need for additional flange bolts. Here's a detailed description of a wafer butterfly valve:
Construction:
The valve consists of a disc or "butterfly" that rotates around a central shaft. This disc is typically made of metal or a resilient material such as rubber or PTFE.
The valve body is usually constructed from materials like cast iron, ductile iron, stainless steel, or carbon steel. It features a slim profile, facilitating easy installation between flanges.
Wafer butterfly valves offer several advantages, which contribute to their widespread use in various industries. Here are some of the key advantages:
Compact and Lightweight Design:
Wafer butterfly valves have a slim profile and lightweight construction, making them easy to install in tight spaces and suitable for use in applications where space is limited.
Cost-Effective:
Wafer butterfly valves are generally more cost-effective than other types of valves due to their simpler design and fewer components. This makes them an economical choice for many applications, especially in large-scale projects.
Quick Operation:
Butterfly valves operate on a quarter-turn principle, meaning they can be quickly opened or closed with a 90-degree rotation of the disc. This rapid operation allows for efficient flow control and minimizes downtime during system maintenance or emergencies.
Open Position:
In the open position, the valve disc is rotated parallel to the flow direction, allowing fluid to pass through the valve with minimal obstruction.
The disc is mounted centrally in the valve body and is supported by a shaft running through its center.
When the valve is open, the disc is perpendicular to the shaft, creating an unobstructed flow path through the valve.
Flow Control:
To control the flow of fluid through the pipeline, the valve disc is rotated using the valve actuator. This actuator can be manual, electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic, depending on the application and control requirements.
As the disc is rotated, it moves away from the flow path, gradually obstructing the flow and reducing the flow rate through the valve.
Applications:
Wafer butterfly valves are commonly used in a wide range of industries and applications, including HVAC systems, water treatment plants, chemical processing, food and beverage processing, and more.
They are suitable for both on-off and throttling applications and can handle various fluids, including water, air, gases, steam, and corrosive chemicals.
Material of Wafer Butterfly Valve
| Part |
Materials |
| Body |
Ductile Iron |
| Seat |
EPDM / BUNA / VITON / PTFE |
| Disc |
Ductile Iron / 316 Stainless Steal / Bronze |
| Seat |
BUNA / EPDM / PTFE |
| Bushing |
PTFE |
| O-Ring |
EPDM / BUNA |
| Taper Pin |
316 Stainless Steel |
| Stem |
416 Stainless Steel |
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